Fighting for Victims of Big Rig Crashes in Midland-Odessa & Beyond
Of the 253 million vehicles on the road today, fewer than 5 percent are commercial vehicles—and even fewer are large trucks. Despite making up a small number of vehicles on the road, commercial trucks take up a lot of room: they weigh between 10,000 and 80,000 pounds. Their large weight and size ensure that every truck accident is life-changing.
Our Midland trucking accident lawyers represent truck crash victims and survivors who have suffered:
We help truck accident survivors who have suffered from catastrophic injuries and families who have lost a loved one. People harmed in big rig accidents are left with serious medical needs, no income, and little hope of a stable future. By holding trucking companies accountable for 18-wheeler accidents, we help our clients get what they need to rebuild.
Injured? Find out how our truck accident lawyers in Midland can help: (888) 493-1629.
These are just three recent examples of accidents involving commercial trucks in the Midland area. In 2024, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported 507 commercial vehicle collisions in Midland County, causing 11 fatalities and at least 135 injuries.
Because of the heavy oil and gas industry presence in the Midland area, truck accidents may involve vehicles carrying consumer goods as well as oilfield service trucks hauling water, frac sand, drilling pipe, or hazardous materials to and from well sites in the Permian Basin. These trucks are often overloaded, operate on tight schedules, and travel long distances on rural highways like FM 1788, SH 349, and FM 1787 that were never designed for such heavy traffic.
Oilfield drivers may face fatigue from long shifts, while cargo like drilling mud or fracking sand can shift and cause rollovers or jackknife accidents. Combined with Midland's high-traffic areas and heavy freight corridors such as I-20 and Loop 250, this creates a perfect storm for serious trucking accidents.
Over $20 Billion Won by Truck Accident Lawyers in Midland
If there’s one thing we know, it’s that maximizing a plaintiff’s odds of success requires preparing a case for trial. Without trial preparation, insurance companies have the upper hand; they know that a firm that is unwilling or unprepared to go to court will settle for less. That’s why we pour our resources, time, and effort into preparing every case for trial.
It ensures our clients get the best chance at the highest recovery possible.
This approach is why we've won numerous record-setting verdicts and settlements for truck accident survivors and families in Midland and nationwide. In one local case, we represented a Texas man who was severely injured in a trucking collision in Midland. We worked quickly to investigate the incident and aggressively litigated the case, holding all those responsible accountable and securing a $1.5 million settlement on our client's behalf.
Other notable truck accident case results include:
$117 million verdict for a pregnant woman injured while being transported by an ambulance that rear-ended a truck.
$35.5 million settlement for a family struck by a commercial truck.
$12.4 million verdict for a worker struck by a UPS delivery truck while on the job.
$12 million settlement for a truck operator crushed by his own cargo due to unsafe loading practices.
“What [Arnold & Itkin] got me is substantial, and it will allow me to be able to do more things for my husband. That's what it all boils down to.”
As an experienced Midland truck accident firm, we have the skills, experience, and tools to fight for the maximum compensation our clients deserve under the law. If you have questions about what happened to you and how we can help make it right, let’s discuss your legal options in a free consultation: (888) 493-1629.
Truck Accident Cases We’ve Recently Filed
When people need a Midland personal injury lawyer after a catastrophic truck accident, they turn to Arnold & Itkin. Plaintiffs know that if there’s anyone who’s willing to take on a big defendant and help them fight for their future, it’s our Midland big rig injury lawyers. It’s why so many accident survivors and families have reached out to us for help.
These are just a few of the trucking cases we’ve filed recently:
If you've been injured in a trucking accident in the Midland area, what you do in the following hours, days, and weeks can have a significant impact on your case. Calling 911, getting medical attention, and documenting the scene are critical—and just as important is understanding what you're up against.
Trucking companies don't wait to act. They often dispatch rapid-response teams of lawyers and investigators to the crash site within hours, while victims are still in the hospital. Drivers may even carry company-issued “accident playbooks” that tell them exactly what to say to police or victims to shift blame away from themselves.
At Arnold & Itkin, we know the tactics these companies use to cover up responsibility, and we work quickly to secure evidence, protect your rights, and build a case that reflects what really happened—before the trucking company has a chance to rewrite the story.
The Reason 18-Wheeler Trucking Accidents Are Common
With unprecedented safety technology, why are trucking accidents not dramatically decreasing? The issue might be with the industry itself. Trucking companies often set drivers up to work themselves to exhaustion just to make ends meet. As tired drivers get behind the wheel by the thousands, motorists everywhere, in Midland and nationwide, are in danger—including truckers themselves. Many drivers are paid by the mile, meaning they’re not paid for all of the vital work that truckers have always had to do: wait for rig inspections, wait for loading and unloading, resting for at least 10 hours a day, driving “flying canaries” (empty trailers) to new jobs.
Our Midland truck accident lawyers have represented people injured by:
Box truck crashes
Flatbed truck accidents
Garbage truck accidents
Jackknife accidents
Underride accidents
Gas truck crashes
Tow truck collisions
Tanker truck accidents
Ultimately, trucking companies incentivize unsafe behavior in order for a delivery to actually profit the driver. It’s not unheard of for a driver to end up spending more money on gas and food for a delivery than they earned. To avoid this, drivers sometimes spend more time behind the wheel than they should, which sets them up to make poor decisions. In the end, it catches up—and truckers and motorists alike pay the price.
Truck accidents are a serious threat anywhere the oil and gas industry has a major presence—and that includes Midland, Texas. Per the CDC, transportation accidents are the leading cause of death in the oilfield, and experts believe the problem is likely tied to drowsy driving. A key issue is that oilfield work is arduous and subjects workers to long shifts. On its own, that’s not a problem. However, what is a problem is the degree to which workers are deprived of adequate rest between shifts, which contributes to sleep debt and the performance issues we outline above.
The oil and gas industry’s semi truck accident record is a problem for workers and locals alike. With major highways choked with oilfield vehicles, petroleum companies and the companies they contract with need to be held accountable for the accidents they cause. That's the role our Midland oilfield truck accident attorneys can play if you've been injured.
Midland UPS & FedEx Accident Lawyers
In the truck shipping industry, UPS, Amazon, and FedEx rank at the top in terms of volume and market share. Together, they generate 82 percent of industry revenue and utilize a fleet of 307,000 vehicles. Unfortunately, FedEx and UPS have not used their position as leaders to make the roads safer for motorists.
Government data documents the crash rate for major shipping companies from 2022–2024:
UPS: 2,635 crashes total, 957 causing injury or fatality
Amazon: 298 crashes total, 124 causing injury or fatality
FedEx: 373 crashes total, 148 causing injury or fatality
The rate of injury or fatality here is a measure of how often these companies are involved in serious accidents. Looking at those figures, Amazon has the highest accident rate, followed by FedEx, then UPS. FedEx may be the middle of the pack, but its accident rate is far more alarming give that it has the smallest fleet of the three major parcel delivery companies.
Cause & Liability: Big Rig Truck Accidents in Midland, Texas
An in-depth truck accident investigation is one of the most important parts of handling a case of this kind. We need to know what caused the accident in the first place. Once we know this, we can determine who should be held liable, or legally responsible, for the victim's injuries. A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit for a Midland trucking accident will give a survivor or the victim's family the opportunity to see justice served. The determination of fault and proof of liability will be essential to securing a settlement or award.
The following are examples of circumstances or behavior that can cause 18-wheeler accidents:
Overloaded trucks
Improperly secured truck cargo
Unbalanced truck loads
Fatigued truck drivers
Inexperienced truckers
Hours-of-service violations
Poorly maintained trucks
Defective truck or auto parts
Dangerous roadways
Speeding
Drunk driving
Heavy weather
Drowsy Driving Leads to Midland Trucking Accidents
Many trucking companies expect drivers to drive for long hours. Some researchers have found as many as 1 in 4 trucking crashes happen when a driver is hauling for 17 hours or more—even though driving for 17 hours is against the law. Even when truckers abide by FMCSA rules, the amount of actual sleep a trucker gets isn’t always adequate. One study found that truckers often overestimate how rested they are; some thought they had 40% more sleep than they actually got.
Lack of sleep leads to serious driving hazards, like:
Slower reaction time
Poor decision-making
Lack of focus, poor attention
Poor spatial judgment, decreased accuracy
Sleep debt causes worse performance than many people realize: experts believe driving while tired can impair your driving as much as drinking alcohol. Just 18 hours without sleep can impair driving performance as much as a .05% BAC—near the legal limit. At 24 hours, sleep debt impairs performance as much as .10% BAC.
Holding At-Fault Parties Accountable: Major Carriers in Midland, TX
Midland’s role as the heart of the Permian Basin means our roads aren’t just crowded with everyday freight trucks—they’re also filled with oilfield service vehicles and specialty carriers. This heavy commercial presence is a key reason Midland County consistently records some of the highest rates of truck crashes in Texas.
Trucking Companies & Freight Carriers Several large trucking and logistics companies have operations in Midland and the surrounding region. Stevens Transport, one of the nation’s largest refrigerated carriers, and J.B. Hunt, a Fortune 500 trucking giant, both run frequent routes through I-20 and Loop 250. Carriers like Knight-Swift and Schneider National also maintain terminals and drop yards in West Texas to serve the oil and gas supply chain.
Oilfield Service Providers with Truck Fleets The oil and gas sector drives a considerable amount of the truck traffic in Midland County. Companies such as Patterson-UTI Energy, Key Energy Services, and Basic Energy Services operate large fleets of vacuum trucks, sand haulers, and water trucks to support drilling and fracking operations. Local operators like Endeavor Energy Resources and Diamondback Energy rely on contract haulers and service providers to move drilling mud, pipe, and production fluids.
Carriers Seen Daily on Midland Roads Alongside oilfield operators, Midland highways see a constant stream of UPS, Amazon, and FedEx delivery trucks, XPO Logistics rigs, and regional carriers hauling everything from consumer goods to construction materials.
Going up against these powerful corporations takes more than determination—it takes resources, trial experience, and a track record of results. At Arnold & Itkin, we’ve beaten the biggest trucking and oilfield companies in the nation, securing record-setting verdicts and settlements that changed our clients’ lives. We know the strategies these carriers and their insurers use to avoid responsibility, and we move quickly to preserve evidence, uncover the truth, and fight for every dollar our clients need. In Midland and across West Texas, we’re ready to go toe-to-toe with the largest corporations.
Talk to Our Midland, Texas Truck Accident Lawyers: (888) 493-1629
At Arnold & Itkin, LLP, we take things personally. When one of our clients has been harmed by negligent trucking corporations, we demand fair compensation for our clients and demand that those companies make changes to keep their workers and people on the road safe. We are even ready to take cases to trial if need be. Our Midland truck accident attorneys will not back down until we can get our clients the results they deserve.
Our lawyers have been recognized by:
Best Lawyers for outstanding results in personal injury litigation, maritime law, and product liability litigation.
Super Lawyers, where Kurt, Jason, and our other attorneys are consistently listed for their trial excellence.
Lawdragon 500, which names only the most influential attorneys in the nation.
Beyond the recognition and beyond the settlements and awards, our attorneys are committed to bettering the lives of those we represent. We care about our clients like we care about our own families, and we fight for them in the same way. We do everything in our power, putting in the work and the resources it takes to seek the best result. Every time.
If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, call (888) 493-1629 today to request your free, confidential case review with our nationally recognized law firm.
A truck driver, loading company, shipping company, manufacturer, truck company, or any other party responsible for causing a truck accident may be held liable in civil court for the harm the collision caused. Our Midland big rig accident attorneys know how to expose cause and establish liability so we can see justice served.
What Is One of the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Midland-Odessa?
Driver fatigue. Some companies give their implied approval to practices that help truckers violate hours of service regulations without discovery—an illegal practice. New drivers often "learn" bad habits, like keeping two logbooks that allow them to drive big rigs and 18-wheelers 15 hours or longer without alerting federal regulators.
Some trucking companies encourage "hard-driving" like this, but the consequences are steep. The data suggests that 13 percent of truck crashes are directly caused by fatigue—although the experts believe 13 percent is far too low, as fatigue is underreported as a crash factor.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Truck Accident in Midland, TX?
Because trucking accidents are often grievous and life-changing, you’ll be able to claim more damages than in a typical injury claim. Obviously, you’ll be able to claim hospitalization costs, medical bills, and future medical costs related to your injuries. You’ll be able to claim lost wages resulting from your injuries, as well as diminished wages if you’re unable to return to the same job. You may also claim noneconomic damages, which come from the losses arising from harm that’s difficult to quantify: loss of enjoyment from hobbies you can’t do anymore, emotional pain and suffering, loss of consortium from the harm done to an intimate relationship, and other damages. In especially egregious cases, you may be granted punitive damages; however, that’s only in cases where the defendant behaved with criminal negligence, which is a higher bar of proof.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a Midland Semi Truck Accident?
Under Texas law, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. It’s known as the “statute of limitations,” and there are very few exceptions to this rule; those that exist often involve occupational disease. In other words, your legal window started closing the same day you were hurt. Two years is not much time, in terms of litigation, so you should speak with a Midland trucking injury attorney as soon as possible.
How Are 18-Wheeler Accidents in Midland Different from Car Accidents?
Car accidents typically involve two vehicles of roughly the same size and weight, which helps limit the harm done to occupants in all vehicles. Such cases typically involve only the two drivers and their insurers, although if there were injured occupants, they’d also be involved. However, 18-wheeler accidents are far more complex in every way: fully-loaded tractor trailers weigh up to 20x more than an average sedan, plaintiffs typically face multiple defendants, and the injuries created by these accidents are often permanently life-changing.
