From commercial deliveries in DFW to oil traffic in the Permian Basin, semi-trucks are a constant presence on Interstate 20 (I-20) in Texas. When truck drivers engage in reckless and negligent driving practices, innocent lives throughout this vital corridor are placed at risk.
At D. Miller & Associates, our Texas truck accident lawyers represent injury victims throughout the state, including those injured in I-20 and its numerous junctions and interchanges. With more than $650 million in verdicts and settlements, we are the personal injury law firm Texans turn to when the injuries are serious and life changing.
I-20 Truck Accidents—We Know the Territory
I-20 covers more than 600 miles of territory in Texas, cutting through desolate rural stretches and dense urban freeways alike. Our Texas truck accident lawyers are not only well-versed in the laws and trucking regulations governing I-20 truck accidents, but also the varying conditions and patterns of negligence present on different stretches of this major traffic corridor, such as:
Far West Texas
Interstate 20 begins at its western terminus in an interchange with I-10 in remote West Texas, near the tiny town of Kent. These far-west stretches are characterized by long, remote stretches, wildlife crossings, and dust storms. The speed limit along much of these remote areas is 80 miles per hour. When trucks are travelling at these speeds, distracted driving, fatigue, and other forms of truck driver negligence can prove deadly.
West Texas
As I-20 continues east, it runs through the Permian Basin, where drivers encounter some of the busiest oilfield traffic in the country. Some of the biggest danger factors in these oil-rich driving environments include:
- Driver fatigue from extended shifts
- Inexperienced drivers due to intense labor demand
- Poorly maintained equipment driven by cost-cutting operations
Adding to this dangerous mix is the sheer variety of vehicles native to the oil and gas industry, from tanker trucks and sand haulers to water trucks and heavy equipment movers.
This West Texas stretch also includes cities like Odessa and Midland, where heavy commercial trucking and oilfield activity combine with standard urban congestion, creating a uniquely hazardous driving environment.
The Unique Nature of Oilfield Accidents
The dangers facing drivers in the Permian Basin are unique, and so are the legal issues that often arise from oilfield truck accidents.
Oilfield trucking cases often involve layered contractor and subcontractor relationships, making it critical to identify all potentially responsible parties, including drilling operators, well service companies, trucking contractors, and equipment owners.
These cases may also involve disputes over the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours-of-service oilfield exemptions, which is frequently misunderstood or misapplied. An experienced I-20 trucking accident lawyer knows how to navigate these complex issues to identify and expose acts of negligence that cause serious injuries and deaths on Texas roads.
DFW Metroplex
From Abilene eastward, I-20 enters the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, where rural highway travel gives way to some of the most complex and congested freeway systems in the country.
This stretch includes major interchanges such as I-35E, I-35W, I-635, and I-820, where high-speed merging traffic and heavy commuter volume heighten the risk of trucking accidents.
Ongoing construction zones in and around Dallas and bottlenecked corridors further increase the likelihood of accidents in which smaller passenger vehicles collide with massive commercial trucks.
East Texas
As I-20 continues toward the Louisiana border, it runs through the wooded landscapes of East Texas, where logging and timber trucks are a common presence on rural highways.
These roads often carry heavy commercial loads through smaller towns with limited infrastructure, where emergency response times can be slower and truck accident crash scenes more difficult to access.
Weather conditions such as heavy rain, fog, and slick pine-covered roadways can also contribute to accidents in which visibility and loss of control is a major factor.
Wherever your trucking accident took place, our attorneys and legal team have you covered with cutting-edge representation focused squarely on your compensation and well-being.
Injured on I-20? Call for Your Free Legal Consultation.
If you were injured in an I-20 truck crash anywhere in Texas, the lawyers at D. Miller & Associates are here to fight for your rights and compensation. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced I-20 trucking accident lawyer serving clients statewide.
