Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks often cause more serious injuries than typical car accidents. Meanwhile, trucking companies and their insurers frequently begin building a defense almost immediately after a crash.
For more than 30 years, Braker White has represented injured clients in Odessa, Midland, and the surrounding areas. Both attorneys are board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Call 432-580-5421 today for a free case review.
Table of Contents
How Does Braker White Help After a Truck Accident in Odessa?
Truck accident claims involve more moving parts than a standard car accident case. Trucking companies often have legal teams and insurance adjusters working within hours of a crash to limit what they pay.
Having a truck accident lawyer in Odessa who understands both federal regulations and the local court system matters.
More Than 60 Years of Combined Experience
Robert White and Greta Braker bring over six decades of combined personal injury trial experience. Both are board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by roughly 10% of Texas attorneys.
Robert has served as a Director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association since 1992 and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Greta graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law and is admitted to practice in both Texas and New Mexico.
A Track Record in Truck Accident Cases
The firm has recovered significant results for truck accident victims across West Texas.
A few of those results include a $4.5 million recovery for brain and back injuries, a $1,003,554 recovery for neck and back surgery, a $964,114 recovery for neck surgery, a $413,860 recovery for cervical surgery, and a $387,086 recovery for an injured back.
Each of these involved a big truck accident. You may view the firm's full results on the Results page.
How the Firm Handles Your Claim
When you hire Braker White, the legal team takes over the process so you do not have to manage it while recovering from your injuries. The firm's approach to an Odessa truck accident claim typically includes these steps:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the crash scene, including gathering electronic logging device (ELD) data and black box records
- Identifying every potentially liable party, from the truck driver to the trucking company to cargo loaders and maintenance providers
- Consulting with medical professionals and accident reconstruction analysts to build a strong case
- Handling all communication and negotiation with insurance companies
- Preparing the case for trial if a fair settlement offer is not made
A truck accident claim is only as strong as the evidence behind it, and early action gives your legal team the best chance to collect and preserve that evidence.
What Causes Truck Accidents in the Permian Basin?
The Permian Basin is one of the busiest oil-producing regions in the country, and that means heavy truck traffic on roads that were not always built for it. Highways like I-20, US-385, and SH-191 see a constant flow of 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, and oilfield service vehicles.
That traffic load, combined with driver fatigue and tight delivery windows, creates conditions where serious accidents happen regularly.
Common Causes of Truck Wrecks in Odessa and Midland
Many truck accidents in West Texas share similar root causes. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue from exceeding federal Hours of Service limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- Speeding or reckless driving on rural highways where speed limits are high and traffic patterns shift quickly
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use while operating a commercial vehicle
- Poor vehicle maintenance, such as worn brakes, bald tires, or defective steering components
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo that shifts during transit and causes the truck to become unstable
When any of these factors play a role in a crash, one or more parties may bear legal responsibility for the harm that follows.
Oilfield Truck Traffic and Road Safety
West Texas roads carry a heavy concentration of oilfield-related vehicles. Water haulers, frac sand trucks, and crude oil tankers all add volume and risk.
Many of these vehicles travel between well sites on two-lane roads with limited shoulders. The combination of heavy loads, high speeds, and tight timelines puts every other driver on the road at greater risk.
What Types of Injuries Result from Truck Accidents?
The size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle is staggering. An 18-wheeler may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs around 4,000 pounds. That kind of impact tends to produce injuries that are far more severe than those in a typical car crash.
Serious and Catastrophic Injuries
Truck accident victims in Odessa and across the Permian Basin frequently face long recoveries and high medical costs. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries that affect memory, cognitive function, and daily life
- Spinal cord injuries that may result in partial or full paralysis
- Multiple fractures and broken bones requiring surgery, hardware, and months of rehabilitation
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding that demand immediate surgical treatment
- Severe burns and lacerations, particularly when hazardous materials are involved in the crash
These injuries often require ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and in some cases permanent lifestyle changes. The financial weight of that care is something a truck accident claim aims to address.
When a Truck Accident Causes a Wrongful Death
Some truck accidents result in fatal injuries. Under Texas law, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and other damages.
These cases carry an emotional burden on top of the legal one, and working with a personal injury attorney who handles them with care matters.
Who May Be Liable in an Odessa Truck Accident?
Unlike a two-car collision, a truck accident often involves several parties who may share fault.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you are found 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering anything.
Identifying every responsible party and proving their share of fault is one of the most important parts of a truck accident case.
Potentially Liable Parties
Depending on the circumstances, liability in a West Texas truck accident may fall on one or more of the following:
- The truck driver, if they were fatigued, distracted, impaired, or violating traffic laws
- The trucking company, if they failed to properly train, supervise, or vet their drivers, or if they pressured drivers to exceed hours of service limits
- Cargo loading companies, if improperly secured or overweight loads contributed to the crash
- Maintenance providers, if negligent repairs or missed inspections played a role
- Parts manufacturers, if a defective component like brakes or tires caused a mechanical failure
Each party's involvement must be thoroughly investigated, and the evidence supporting their liability, such as ELD records, inspection logs, and driver qualification files, must be preserved early.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Truck Accident?
Every truck accident case is different, and there is no fixed formula for calculating the value of a claim. Compensation depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your ability to work, the cost of your medical care, and other factors specific to your situation.
Types of Damages in Texas Truck Accident Cases
| Damage Category | What It Covers | Examples |
| Economic Damages | Measurable financial losses directly tied to the accident | Medical bills (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, prescription costs |
| Non-Economic Damages | Non-financial harm that affects your quality of life | Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life |
| Punitive Damages (rare) | Awarded only when the at-fault party acted with extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct | Intoxicated truck driver, trucking company knowingly operating an unsafe vehicle |
Economic and non-economic damages aim to make you whole after an accident. Punitive damages serve a different purpose and are only awarded in cases where the conduct was especially egregious. Texas courts evaluate each category independently based on the facts of the case.
What Federal and Texas Trucking Regulations Apply?
Commercial trucking is heavily regulated at both the federal and state level. Violations of these regulations often serve as strong evidence of negligence in a truck accident case.
Hours of Service Rules
The FMCSA enforces Hours of Service regulations to reduce fatigued driving. Under these rules, drivers may operate their vehicle for up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive off-duty hours.
They may not drive past the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
Trucking companies must follow both FMCSA maintenance regulations and Texas Transportation Code Chapter 644. Brakes, tires, lights, and steering systems must be regularly inspected and repaired.
Failure to maintain a vehicle properly may make the trucking company or a third-party maintenance provider liable if that failure leads to an accident.
Insurance Minimums
Texas trucking companies must carry minimum liability insurance based on what they haul. Non-hazardous freight requires $750,000 in coverage.
Hazardous materials require between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. These minimums exist to help provide a source of recovery for accident victims, though serious injury claims may exceed those amounts.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to pursue a claim entirely.
Why Early Action Matters
Two years might sound like plenty of time, but truck accident cases involve complex investigations. ELD data, surveillance footage, and driver logs all need to be preserved before they are overwritten or destroyed.
Witness memories fade. Physical evidence at the crash scene disappears. Getting a truck accident attorney involved early gives your legal team the best opportunity to collect the evidence that supports your case.
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Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident in Odessa?
Truck accident claims involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and aggressive insurance defense teams. An Odessa truck accident attorney investigates the crash, handles all communication with insurers, and fights for the full value of your claim so that you are not pressured into accepting a low settlement offer.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer at Braker White?
Braker White handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and owe no legal fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. The initial case review is free, and there is no financial risk to you for reaching out.
What if I was partly at fault for the truck accident?
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. You may still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
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FAQs for Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Texas law. This deadline applies to most truck accident cases, though certain circumstances may affect the timeline.
Speaking with an attorney soon after the accident is always a good idea to make sure no deadlines are missed.
Do truck accident cases go to trial?
Many truck accident cases settle through negotiation with insurance companies before reaching trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, taking the case to trial may be the right path.
Braker White prepares every case as if it is going to trial, which often strengthens the firm's position during settlement talks.
What types of trucks are involved in these cases?
Truck accident cases may involve semi trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, flatbed trucks, dump trucks, oilfield service vehicles, delivery trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. The type of truck involved may affect which regulations apply and which parties bear responsibility.
What if the trucking company contacts me after the accident?
If a trucking company or its insurance carrier reaches out to you after an accident, you are not required to give a recorded statement or sign any documents.
Anything you say may be used to reduce or deny your claim. It is a good idea to speak with a truck accident lawyer before responding to any communication from the other side.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
There is no set formula. The value of a truck accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, the impact on your daily life, and whether reckless or egregious conduct was involved.
Braker White reviews the details of each case during a free consultation and provides an honest assessment of what your claim may be worth.
Take Action with an Odessa Truck Accident Lawyer Today
The trucking company's legal team is already building their defense. Every day that passes without preserving evidence is a day that works against your case.
Braker White's Odessa truck accident lawyers are ready to step in, investigate your claim, and fight for the compensation you may be entitled to under Texas law.
Call 432-580-5421 for a free case review. You pay nothing unless Braker White wins for you.