Truck accidents are all too common in Odessa, where the flow of freight traffic never stops, and the demands of the oil and gas industry push truck drivers to their limits. When negligence is the cause of a truck accident, victims have the right to pursue compensation for their losses.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, we fight for the rights of people injured in trucking accidents in Odessa, throughout Ector County and across West Texas.
Our record of success—more than $650 million and 36,000+ cases won—demonstrates our commitment to every case. When you are ready to discuss your claim with an experienced Odessa truck accident lawyer, we will be here for you.
From I-20 to U.S. 285: The Roads That Make Odessa Dangerous
Odessa is home to some of the most dangerous roads in Texas, creating hazards for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike. Interstate 20 runs directly through the city and serves as a key trucking corridor. Still, its interchanges with U.S. 385, Loop 338 and West University Boulevard are well-known accident sites. Loop 338, which channels traffic around Odessa, also sees frequent collisions where it meets I-20 and U.S. 385.
U.S. Route 385 is another high-risk stretch, linking Odessa and Midland with heavy traffic that often leads to crashes. To the south, U.S. Route 285 has seen so many crashes that it has earned the unfortunate nickname of “Death Highway”.
Even secondary roads like State Highway 191, Highway 80 frontage roads and local county roads see serious incidents involving large vehicles.
These hazardous conditions make trucking accidents far too common. The Odessa truck accident attorneys at our firm understand these roadway dangers, which helps us better uncover the facts and circumstances that lead to serious accident injuries.
Heightened Risks: The Oil & Gas Industry in Odessa
Odessa’s position at the heart of the Permian Basin presents additional hazards due to the heavy freight traffic serving the Texas oil and gas industry. A constant stream of tanker trucks, sand haulers and other large commercial vehicles crowd I-20, Route 285 and other area roadways daily. These huge, fast-moving vehicles share the same roads as commuters and local traffic, creating a hazardous environment that leads to all too many truck wrecks.
Other risks common to the transport of oil and gas in this area include:
- Driver fatigue: Oilfield schedules often push truckers past safe driving limits, leading to slower reaction times and preventable crashes.
- Oversized and overweight loads: When a tanker is overloaded or carries an unbalanced load, it is more difficult for the driver to stop quickly or maneuver around obstacles.
- Inadequate road design: Narrow county roads and unpaved oil-access routes were not built for heavy freight, increasing rollover and collision risks.
- Mechanical failures: Poorly maintained trucks under constant strain face more blowouts, brake issues and equipment malfunctions.
- High-volume merging traffic: Frequent entries and exits onto I-20, Loop 338 and U.S. 385 create dangerous choke points for all drivers.
These industry-driven hazards mean accidents in Odessa are often especially severe. An experienced Odessa semi-truck accident lawyer understands how these factors contribute to collisions and can use that knowledge to build stronger cases on behalf of the injured.
Negligence Adds Even More Danger to Odessa Roads
Even if Odessa had no industry-driven hazards, a classic danger would still lurk on area roads—negligence. In the context of trucking accidents, negligence can take many forms, including:
- Speeding, reckless driving and road rage
- Distracted driving, such as texting, operating a GPS device or eating behind the wheel
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Running red lights or failing to yield
- Negligent hiring or training practices by the trucking company
- Pressuring drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, leading to fatigue
- Failure to perform required inspections before trips
- Faulty repair jobs by mechanics or maintenance shops
In these examples of negligence, the at-fault party could be the truck driver, trucking company, municipality or even a mechanic shop or a third-party driver whose actions led to a trucking accident.
The key questions in a personal injury claim arising from a truck accident are:
- Who was negligent?
- And how did their actions (or inaction) lead to the victim’s injury?
Finding the facts and identifying all liable parties is an essential duty of an Odessa injury lawyer. Our extensive experience in these cases and vast investigative resources are two reasons we have successfully handled so many Odessa 18-wheeler accident claims.
Compensation in Odessa Truck Accident Cases
Because of the speed and mass involved in truck accidents, they often result in serious injuries and even wrongful death. Our commitment to our clients is to help them fight for the compensation they need to pay their bills and rebuild their lives after a truck accident has caused them pain and hardship.
Compensation in a truck accident claim in Odessa may include:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance care, hospital stays, medication, surgeries and physical therapy
- Adaptations to living quarters and vehicles to accommodate your injuries
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to work
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll of the accident
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
- Future medical care for ongoing or permanent injuries
Obtaining fair compensation is far from a given. The trucking firm or insurance company you are up against will do everything in its power to limit or even deny the compensation you are entitled to. Our Odessa truck accident lawyers know these tactics well and how to counter them for the benefit of our clients.
We will work tenaciously to help you obtain every dollar you need to move on from this crisis and rebuild your life.
Fighting for Today’s Compensation—and Tomorrow’s
Accidents involving large commercial trucks often result in catastrophic injuries, including trauma to the brain, spinal cord and internal organs. Victims may suffer mobility issues, chronic pain and even permanent disability.
In handling these claims, we must carefully assess the compensation our clients will need to contend with today’s hardships and the hardships they will continue to face for months and even years to come.
We work with leading physicians, economists and other experts to accurately determine the financial resources our clients will need, possibly for a lifetime of treatment, hardship and financial strain.
Remember, this case is your one chance to obtain the compensation you need. This is why it is so important to entrust your case to an Odessa truck accident attorney who knows how to fight and win.
Why People Turn to D. Miller & Associates in Their Time of Need
People turn to D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, after suffering Odessa 18-wheeler accident injuries because we care. We take the burden off their shoulders and know how to get results.
Through every stage of your case, we will explain the process in plain language, keep you updated on all important developments and fight to hold trucking companies and other negligent parties accountable.
While we fight for you in the legal system, we also handle the everyday challenges like scheduling doctor appointments (even without insurance) and meeting you wherever is most convenient.
Our clients don’t have to chase us for answers or wonder what comes next. They know we are building a strong case, standing up to powerful insurers and working tirelessly to secure fair compensation. Most importantly, they know we care. At D. Miller & Associates, we handle the hard stuff so you can focus on what matters most: healing and rebuilding your life after a devastating accident.
Legal Heroes to the Rescue—Contact D. Miller & Associates Today
No matter how large and powerful your legal opponent, our Odessa truck accident lawyers have the skill and experience to level the playing field. When you are ready to discuss your trucking accident claim with our knowledgeable legal team, contact us today for a free consultation.
