Midland Truck Accident Attorney

Many tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, cargo trucks, and other such large vehicles travel through West Texas daily, increasing the likelihood of accidents. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that nearly 6,000 large trucks were involved in fatal truck crashes in 2022. Another 120,000 trucks became entangled in collisions causing injuries.

When big rigs strike passenger cars, it’s not uncommon for serious injuries to result. Truckers and the trucking companies that employ them should be held responsible for the damages they cause.

A tractor-trailer collision can be devastating, and the recovery process can be lengthy and stressful. This is when you need the help of a Midland truck accident lawyer.

At Barrera Law Group LLC, our legal team will get you the compensation you deserve. We’re here to ensure that the out-of-pocket costs you have in the aftermath of your accident are covered so that you can heal or grieve your family member’s preventable death without worrying about anything else. So, if you’re looking for that degree of support, call or email us to schedule a free consultation now.

Causes of West Texas Tractor-Trailer Crashes

Midland and other nearby cities are major hubs for the Texas oil fields that stretch into neighboring states. Plus, there’s the University of Texas Permian Basin and the Midland International Air & Space Port in the area, which also contribute to heavy traffic in the area.

Most accidents occur due to driver error and other factors, such as the following:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Driving while under the influence or while intoxicated (alcohol or drugs, even prescription medications)
• Unsecured cargo or loads
• Dangerous roads
• Aggressive driving
• Inadequate truck maintenance
• Poor visibility

What Are Most Dangerous Roads for Trucking Accidents in Texas?

Several of the longest and busiest highways in the U.S. go through the Lone Star State, which means these roads are constantly filled with big rigs, such as semi-trucks, traveling on their routes across the country or tanker trucks carrying materials from the oil fields.

Here are a few of the most dangerous roads for trucks in Texas:

• Interstate 20: Beginning in a West Texas small town called Scroggins Draw, I-20 is just over 1,500 miles long and travels east through major cities such as Midland, Abilene, Dallas, and Longview. After crossing the Texas-Louisiana border, I-20 continues east through four more states until it ends in Columbia, South Carolina.
• Interstate 35: If you’re in Central Texas, you’re familiar with I-35 and, more specifically, how long it’s been under construction. It begins near the Texas-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, and stretches north through five states until it ends in Duluth, Minnesota, making it the third longest north-south interstate in the United States.
• US-285/Route 285: Known to locals as the “Death Highway,” Route 285 is a somewhat rural north-south highway stretching from Sanderson, Texas, up through New Mexico and ending in Denver, Colorado. It’s received its nickname due to the large number of deadly vehicle accidents, usually involving trucks from surrounding Permian Basin oil fields.

While any road can be dangerous, especially when an overworked trucker drives it, the above-referenced highways are particularly known to be where a large number of tractor-trailer collisions occur.

In an ideal world, no one would have the misfortune of suffering harm, especially not on high-speed roadways such as the ones discussed above. However, if a trucking accident in West Texas on the interstate left you hurt, be sure to reach out to us at Barrera Law Group LLC to discuss your legal options for making a financial recovery. Speaking with a Midland truck accident lawyer in our office is free.

Common Types of Trucks Involved in Wrecks in the Permian Basin

As mentioned previously, Midland and the surrounding areas are in the epicenter of the Permian Basin, known across the United States for its considerable production of oil. Due to the amount and variety of oil workers present in the area, West Texas sees a wide array of trucks, with most of them being large ones such as the following:

• Cargo trucks
• Semi-trucks
• Tanker trucks
• Oil field trucks
• Fuel trucks
• Dump trucks
• Flatbed trucks
• Tractor-trailers
• Delivery vans
• Moving vans
• Buses

Any type of vehicle accident can be devastating and cause severe injury, and when you have a lot of large trucks on the road at all times, especially those carrying crude oil or other flammable materials, crashes become exponentially more dangerous.

Injuries Caused by Trucking Accidents

When a vehicle accident occurs, you expect injuries, especially minor ones like scrapes and bruises.

And, when the accident involves a large truck, you can expect injuries to be catastrophic. The following are a few of the injuries one might expect in the aftermath of a trucking accident:

• Lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

People in serious truck accidents can suffer injuries to the spinal cord, neck, or back that result in paralysis or lifelong mobility issues, and, in some tragic situations, these collisions can lead to dismemberment or even death.

Sometimes, the injuries sustained in a truck accident can leave people incapable of performing their work and daily life activities. If this, unfortunately, describes you, reach out to us to discuss your injuries and prognosis so we can advise you of legal remedies Texas law affords you.

What Should You Do If You’re Hit by a Truck in Midland?

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2022, Texas had 612 large truck crash deaths – more than any other state. In the unfortunate event that you’re involved in a truck accident, it’s important to try and stay calm and follow these basic steps:

• Get to safety
• Seek medical attention
• Get contact information from the other drivers involved as well as eyewitnesses
• Gather pictures or video if possible
• Contact an attorney

We know that accomplishing all of these may not be possible, and that is okay as long as you seek medical attention first and then reach out to our office. We can work on the rest of the details of your case together.

How Your Truck Accident Attorney in Midland, TX Will Help Win a Settlement

Although driver error is often responsible for vehicle accidents, various entities can be held liable for your injuries and damages. Not only the truck driver but also the company they work for, a mechanic who worked on the truck, the manufacturer of the truck, or parts of it – all of these people could be held responsible in addition to many others.

Your lawyer will know the ins and outs of Texas laws and fight for the compensation for your losses:

• Economic damages: Lost wages, medical bills, property damage, etc. comprise this category of financial losses.
• Noneconomic damages: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other similar issues fall into this category.

Additionally, you can expect your lawyer to be aware of the Texas statute of limitations on truck accidents, which is two years from the date of the accident, and to do everything within their power to ensure you meet it.

While it’s not necessary to have an attorney when pursuing a legal claim, it would only help your case to have someone compassionate and knowledgeable by your side.

Accidents happen when we least expect them and can change our lives in an instant. The last thing you need is to worry about compensation for damages while healing from your injuries or trying to come to terms with a loved one’s premature loss.

You have enough on your plate…so let us help.

If you or someone you know has been in a tractor-trailer or other type of commercial vehicle accident (CMV) in Texas, our team at Barrera Law Group LLC is ready to step in and help you.

Don’t waste any more time; contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a Midland truck accident lawyer.