Commercial truck traffic is dense in Midland, with its busy thoroughfares like Interstate-20, and its status as an oil and gas hub in the heart of the Permian Basin. Sadly, commercial truck accidents are also common.
For every accident injury, there is a victim suffering from serious and possibly life-changing injuries. For every truck accident death, family members are left with untold grief.
Midland Trusts the Law Firm of D. Miller & Associates
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC®, we stand up for people who have suffered due to the negligence of trucking companies, drivers, and other at-fault parties. Our Midland trucking accident lawyers have the skill, experience and resources to handle the most complex accident claims involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
Despite our long history of success—more than $650 million on behalf of injury victims and 36,000+ cases won—we handle each case as if it is our only case. If you or a loved one was injured in a trucking accident in Midland, TX, we are prepared to be your Legal Heroes and compassionate allies.
Dangers on Midland Roads
Trucking accidents in Midland are all too common, thanks in part to the city’s location along several high-traffic freight routes.
- I-20, a major trucking artery between Midland and Odessa, sees heavy congestion near Garden City Highway and Midkiff Road; a risky area for 18-wheelers.
- State Highway 349 in North Midland has been the site of fatal truck crashes.
- State Highway 191 is frequently tied to collisions involving tractor-trailers with a high volume of passenger cars and freight traffic traveling in close proximity, at high speed.
- S. 87 (Rankin Highway) also carries both freight and commuter traffic.
Because of the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, wrecks in Midland often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
If you’ve been injured in a Midland truck accident, call us today for a free case evaluation with an experienced trucking accident attorney.
The Added Risks of Oil Industry Hauling
Midland sits at the heart of the Permian Basin, one of the nation’s most active oil-producing regions. This means roads are constantly streaming with heavy equipment haulers, tanker trucks and rig convoys.
These vehicles often travel on rural service and lease roads not built to withstand such heavy traffic. U.S. 285, locally nicknamed “Death Highway,” is a prime example. During the Permian Basin oil boom, truck-related crash fatalities on this road surged, with 93 lives lost in a single year on the Texas side of the corridor.
Other trucking accident risks common to the oil industry include:
- Fatigue from long shifts and overnight driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance due to overuse of rigs and tankers
- Mechanical failures in overworked trucks
- Oversized loads that make vehicles harder to control
The combination of oil industry demands and already dangerous highways makes Midland truck accidents especially devastating.
The Role of Negligence in Midland Truck Accidents
Every driver and trucking company has a duty to operate with reasonable care on the road. When they fail to meet that duty, and someone gets hurt, the law considers it negligence.
Negligence in the context of a trucking accident involves the following 4 elements:
- Duty of care – Truck drivers must follow traffic laws, stay alert, and operate safely. Trucking companies must maintain vehicles and properly train their drivers.
- Breach of duty – Examples include driving fatigued, failing to inspect brakes, or allowing unsafe loading practices.
- Causation – The unsafe act or omission directly leads to an accident, such as a fatigued driver drifting into another lane.
- Damages – Victims suffer real harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In plain terms, negligence is not just a mistake — it’s a failure to act as a reasonably careful person or company would under the same circumstances. When that failure causes a serious truck accident in Midland, the at-fault parties can be held legally responsible.
Our Midland trucking accident attorneys investigate every case thoroughly to uncover where the duty of care was broken and build a strong claim for compensation.
Common Examples of Negligence in Trucking Accidents
Negligence resulting in a commercial vehicle accident can take many forms, including:
- Driver fatigue: Long shifts and demanding schedules often push drivers beyond safe limits, reducing reaction time and judgment.
- Distracted driving: Operating smartphones, eating behind the wheel, and other distracting behaviors can pull a driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding or reckless driving: Exceeding posted limits or driving too fast for traffic and road conditions greatly increases crash severity.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol, drugs, and even prescription medicine can dangerously impair a driver’s ability to operate a truck.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Lapses in maintenance can result in faulty brakes, bald tires and other hazards.
- Improper loading or securement: Overloaded trailers or shifting cargo may cause a truck to jackknife or roll over.
- Inadequate training or supervision: Trucking companies that fail to properly vet, train or oversee drivers may be held liable for resulting accidents.
If the negligence of another person or business caused you an injury, you deserve compensation for your losses.
What We Can Do for You—The Power of a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a trucking accident in Midland, you may feel daunted by the prospect of going up against a powerful trucking company. This is where our team can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Fighting for Fair Compensation
We fight to recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses (surgeries, rehab, future care)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering for physical and emotional harm
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Loss of consortium (impact on family relationships)
D. Miller is committed to pursuing every dollar of compensation you deserve for the financial, physical and emotional hardships you’ve endured.
Advocating for the Seriously Injured
People come to us after suffering severe and life-changing injuries, including brain damage, spinal cord trauma, broken bones, burns and more.
These injuries often require long-term medical care, ongoing rehabilitation and significant lifestyle adjustments. Our team is here to shoulder the legal burden so you and your family can focus on recovery.
Helping Families in Wrongful Death Claims
Tragically, some truck accident victims do not recover from their injuries. If negligence caused a fatal crash, our lawyers are here for surviving family members.
Wrongful death damages may include:
- Medical costs arising from care prior to death
- Loss of the deceased’s income and future earnings
- Loss of companionship, care and support
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering of surviving family members
- Funeral and burial/cremation expenses
Our attorneys handle these sensitive cases with compassion and determination to get justice and secure the resources surviving families need to move forward.
Why People Turn to D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® After Truck Accidents in Midland
D. Miller & Associates, PLLC has built a substantial track record of success, including over $650 million in awards and settlements and over 36,000 cases won.
But awards and statistics are not what drive us to fight for injury victims every day. We know the trust you invest in our representation, and we strive to earn it every day we work on your case.
Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® today for your FREE legal consultation with an experienced Midland trucking accident attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions About Midland Truck Accidents
What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Midland?
Call 911 to report the accident and get medical care. Document the scene with photos, gather witness contact info, and avoid speaking with insurance companies until you’ve talked to a lawyer.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Exceptions may apply, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Who can be held liable in a trucking accident claim?
Liability may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, or even manufacturers of defective truck parts. An attorney can investigate and identify all responsible parties.
How are truck accident cases different from car accident cases?
Truck accidents often involve federal trucking regulations, multiple liable parties, higher insurance coverage limits, and more severe injuries. They require attorneys experienced in handling complex litigation.
