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If you’ve been hurt because someone else was irresponsible or reckless, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and suffering. We’re here to be the tough, West Texas attorney who fights for you.
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By working on contingency, we can offer compassionate and competent legal representation to our Texas neighbors without charging any upfront fees. You only pay if we win!
Table of Contents
Why Do Odessa Injury Victims Hire Braker White?
We are an Odessa law firm. Our office sits at 230 W 3rd Street, and our roots in this community run deep. Robert White grew up here, attended Permian High School, and returned home to practice law in 1983. He has represented injured people in Ector County for over four decades.
Hometown Attorneys With Board Certification
Robert has served as president of the Ector County Bar Association and as a Director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association since 1992. Greta Braker earned her law degree magna cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law and joined the firm in 2014 before becoming a named partner in 2023. She is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico.
Both of us hold board certification in personal injury trial law, a credential held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys. We prepare every case as if it may go before a jury in the 70th or 161st District Court right here in Ector County.
A Track Record Built in West Texas
Braker White has recovered millions for clients across the Permian Basin, including a $4.5 million recovery in a commercial truck collision involving brain and back injuries, over $1.1 million for an auto accident requiring cervical surgery, and more than $1 million for a truck wreck resulting in neck and back surgery.
Every case produces a different result based on the facts, the evidence, and the parties involved, and prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.
Contingency Fee Representation
You pay nothing upfront and owe no fee unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement removes the financial barrier to hiring an attorney at a time when medical expenses and lost income are already creating pressure.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Odessa
If your case type is not listed here, we still may be able to help. Contact us to find out at no cost to you.
Why Do Odessa Injury Victims Hire Braker White?
We are an Odessa law firm. Our office sits at 230 W 3rd Street, and our roots in this community run deep. Robert White grew up here, attended Permian High School, and returned home to practice law in 1983. He has represented injured people in Ector County for over four decades.
Hometown Attorneys With Board Certification
Robert has served as president of the Ector County Bar Association and as a Director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association since 1992. Greta Braker earned her law degree magna cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law and joined the firm in 2014 before becoming a named partner in 2023. She is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico.
Both of us hold board certification in personal injury trial law, a credential held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys. We prepare every case as if it may go before a jury in the 70th or 161st District Court right here in Ector County.
A Track Record Built in West Texas
Braker White has recovered millions for clients across the Permian Basin, including a $4.5 million recovery in a commercial truck collision involving brain and back injuries, over $1.1 million for an auto accident requiring cervical surgery, and more than $1 million for a truck wreck resulting in neck and back surgery.
Every case produces a different result based on the facts, the evidence, and the parties involved, and prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.
Contingency Fee Representation
You pay nothing upfront and owe no fee unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement removes the financial barrier to hiring an attorney at a time when medical expenses and lost income are already creating pressure.
What Types of Damages May You Recover After an Injury in Odessa?
Texas law allows injured people to seek compensation for the full range of harm caused by another party's negligence. The damages available in your case depend on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the strength of the evidence.
An Odessa personal injury claim may include the following categories of damages:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and future care
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life or loss of companionship
Texas law also allows punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, as outlined in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.003.
These damages serve to penalize the wrongdoer rather than compensate the injured person, and Texas places a statutory cap on the amount a court may award.
No attorney may guarantee a specific dollar amount. Every case produces a different result based on the facts, the evidence, and the parties involved.
How Does Texas Comparative Fault Affect Your Injury Claim?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. You may still recover damages as long as your percentage of responsibility stays below 51%.
Your recovery is reduced by whatever share of fault a jury assigns to you, and if your fault reaches 51% or higher, you recover nothing.
Why This Rule Matters in Odessa Injury Cases
Insurance adjusters almost always try to shift blame onto the injured person. That tactic directly lowers what they pay. Having an attorney who knows how to counter these arguments and present evidence of what actually happened may protect the value of your claim.
What Accidents Lead to Personal Injury Claims in Odessa?
Personal injury law covers any situation where negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct causes harm to another person. In Odessa, the types of accidents that generate injury claims reflect the industries, roadways, and daily life of the Permian Basin.
We represent clients in Odessa and across West Texas in claims involving:
- Truck and 18-wheeler collisions involving commercial carriers and oilfield vehicles
- Car accidents caused by distracted, speeding, or impaired drivers on local roads and highways like I-20 and US-385
- Oilfield and workplace injuries, including third-party claims against contractors, equipment manufacturers, and service companies
- Motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall injuries on commercial or residential property
Each accident type involves different evidence, different liable parties, and different legal standards. The table below breaks down how several common Odessa personal injury case types differ in practice.
| Factor | Car Accident | Truck/18-Wheeler Wreck | Oilfield Injury | Slip and Fall |
| Primary liable party | At-fault driver | Driver, trucking company, and potentially others | Contractor, equipment manufacturer, or site operator | Property owner or business |
| Key evidence | Police report, photos, witness statements | ELD data, driver logs, maintenance records, black box data | OSHA records, safety audits, equipment logs, contracts | Incident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance logs |
| Federal regulations | None | FMCSA Hours of Service, ELD mandates, cargo rules | OSHA safety standards, hazard communication rules | None |
| Insurance complexity | Standard auto policy | Commercial policies often $750K to $5M+ | Multiple overlapping policies across contractors | Commercial general liability policy |
| Common injuries | Whiplash, fractures, soft tissue damage | Catastrophic injuries, spinal damage, TBI | Burns, crush injuries, amputations, H2S exposure | Fractures, head injuries, soft tissue injuries |
Understanding which type of claim you are dealing with shapes the entire legal strategy, from who to hold accountable to what evidence to preserve first.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Odessa, Texas?
You have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. This deadline comes from Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, and missing it almost always bars you from pursuing your claim.
Exceptions That May Change the Deadline
Claims involving a government entity require formal notice within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act. If the injured person is a minor, the two-year clock generally does not start until they turn 18.
Evidence Fades Faster Than Deadlines
Two years is the outer limit, not a target. Surveillance footage gets recorded over. Witnesses forget details. Medical records are easier to connect to the accident when treatment begins promptly.
Reaching out to an Odessa personal injury attorney early gives your legal team the strongest foundation to build on. Contact us to talk through your situation with Braker White.
What Happens During a Personal Injury Case in Ector County?
Most personal injury cases in Texas follow a three-phase process: claim investigation, negotiation with the insurer, and litigation if a settlement is not reached. The timeline depends on the severity of your injuries and whether the other side disputes liability.
Claim Investigation and Demand
Your attorney gathers medical records, accident reports, and witness statements. Once your medical treatment reaches a stable point, the attorney sends a demand package to the at-fault party's insurance company outlining your injuries, your losses, and the compensation you are seeking.
Negotiation
Insurance adjusters review the demand and typically respond with a lower counteroffer. The negotiation phase involves back-and-forth communication aimed at reaching a fair personal injury settlement. Many Odessa personal injury claims resolve during this phase without going to court.
Litigation and Trial
If the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, your attorney may file a lawsuit in Ector County District Court. Both Robert White and Greta Braker are trial attorneys who handle cases through verdict when needed.
Filing a lawsuit does not mean you must go to trial, as many cases settle after litigation begins, but having attorneys who prepare for trial strengthens your negotiating position throughout the process.
Put An Award Winning Lawyer On Your Side!
What Other Case Types Do Odessa Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
Truck and 18-wheeler accidents make up a significant portion of the cases Braker White handles. Permian Basin highways like I-20, US-385, and Highway 302 carry a constant flow of commercial vehicles, oilfield haulers, water trucks, and sand transports, and the collisions they cause tend to produce severe or fatal injuries.
These cases often involve commercial insurance policies, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and multiple potentially liable parties, including the driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle owner.
Beyond vehicle accidents and oilfield injuries, our practice also includes claims involving the following.
- Wrongful death claims filed by surviving family members after a fatal accident
- Product liability for injuries caused by defective or dangerous products
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Dog bite injuries
Texas law treats each of these case types differently. Wrongful death claims have their own rules about who may file and what damages are available. Working with an attorney who has handled these specific case types in Ector County and across the Permian Basin matters.
Ask Braker White
Is it worth hiring a personal injury lawyer for a minor accident in Odessa?
It depends on the injury. Even low-speed collisions may cause soft tissue damage, herniated discs, or concussions that require ongoing treatment.
If your medical bills, lost income, or pain are significant, or if the insurer disputes fault, speaking with an attorney before accepting a settlement is a good idea. We offer free consultations with no obligation.
What does Braker White charge for a personal injury case?
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
The percentage we collect comes from the recovery, not out of your pocket separately. Your initial case review is free.
What if the other driver's insurance company calls me after an accident in Odessa?
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Adjusters may ask questions designed to reduce your claim value or create statements they may use against you later.
Speaking with an attorney before responding to the insurance company may help protect your rights and your claim.
FAQs for Odessa Personal Injury Lawyers
How long does a personal injury case take to resolve in Texas?
Most personal injury cases take several months to over a year, depending on the severity of injuries, the complexity of the facts, and whether the case settles or goes to trial.
Cases involving disputed liability or significant damages tend to take longer. Your attorney may provide a more specific timeline after reviewing the details of your situation.
What if the at-fault person does not have insurance?
You may still have options. Your own auto policy may include uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage that applies when the at-fault party lacks adequate insurance. Texas does not require UM/UIM coverage, but many policies include it. Reviewing your policy with an attorney may reveal coverage you did not realize you had.
Do I need to see a doctor right away after an accident?
Yes, seeking medical attention promptly after an accident is always a good idea, even if your symptoms seem minor at first. Some injuries, including concussions and internal injuries, may not produce immediate symptoms.
Delaying treatment may also give the insurance company an argument that your injuries are not related to the accident.
What happens if I accept a settlement and my injuries get worse later?
Once you sign a settlement release, you give up the right to seek additional compensation for that claim. That is why reaching maximum medical improvement, the point where your condition has stabilized, before settling is strongly recommended.
An attorney may help you evaluate whether an offer reflects the full scope of your current and future medical needs.
Do Odessa personal injury lawyers handle cases outside Ector County?
Yes. Braker White represents clients across West Texas, including Midland, Big Spring, Andrews, Pecos, Ward County, and surrounding communities. While our office is in Odessa, we handle cases filed in courts throughout the Permian Basin region.
Make Braker White Your First Call After an Odessa Injury
The insurer on the other side of your claim has already started working to protect its bottom line. You do not need to match their legal resources on your own, and you do not need to pay anything out of pocket to find out whether you have a case worth pursuing.
Robert White and Greta Braker have spent their careers in Odessa representing people hurt by someone else's negligence. Our attorneys are familiar with Ector County courts and the local claims process.
We use that experience to anticipate common insurance-defense arguments and advocate for the full value of each client’s claim. Results vary, but we pursue the strongest possible outcome for every client we represent.
Contact us for a free case review and get clarity on your next steps.