Odessa Car Accident Lawyer
In the blink of an eye, a careless driver can turn your life upside down, leaving you injured, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. Medical bills pile up, your ability to work may be cut short, and the insurance company is already pushing for a quick, lowball settlement. You don’t have to face this alone.
An experienced Odessa car accident lawyer from Braker White will protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation available. Attorneys Robert White and Greta Braker bring over 60 years of combined experience handling every kind of car accident case, from multi-vehicle crashes on I-20 to collisions caused by distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers. We know the tactics insurance companies use, and we know how to beat them.
We’re proud to stand up for our neighbors across West Texas, securing millions for accident victims and their families. This isn’t just a case. It’s your future. Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us start building your winning strategy. You pay nothing unless we win.
Getting Help Is Easy
To begin the process of pursuing compensation after your car accident, contact us today for a free consultation. It only takes a call or a click, so you don’t have to leave the house!
You Have a Right to Compensation
When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek damages for your injury. We work hard to protect that right and get you the settlement you may be entitled to.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We offer compassionate and competent legal representation to our Texas neighbors without charging any upfront fees. You only pay if we win!
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The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney After a Crash
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters whose only job is to minimize your payout. But our attorneys know the tactics they use to delay, deny, or underpay claims. Our Odessa car accident lawyers have decades of experience and a proven record of standing up to the toughest insurance companies. We’ve helped victims across the Permian Basin recover maximum compensation after life-changing crashes.
Here’s how a car accident lawyer can help:
- Connect you with trusted medical providers so your injuries are fully documented
- Conduct a thorough investigation and gather evidence to build a solid case
- Handle all communications with aggressive insurance adjusters
- Prevent costly mistakes that could hurt your case
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- Negotiate for the maximum settlement or take your case to trial if needed
Don't face the insurance companies alone. When you hire Braker White, you get a legal team that knows Odessa, understands Texas law, and is ready to fight.
Why Odessa Car Accident Victims Turn to Braker White
When it comes to choosing the right car accident lawyer in Odessa, experience and personal attention matter. At Braker White, we’re proud to be the team that goes above and beyond for our clients, and we’ve built a reputation on results, relentless advocacy, and personal attention.
- Local Representation: Our attorneys live and work right here in West Texas. We know the roads, the courts, and how insurance companies operate. That local insight can make a big difference in your case.
- 60+ Years of Combined Experience: Attorneys Robert White and Greta Braker have decades of success representing car accident victims in Odessa and across Ector County.
- Proven Track Record: From severe injury cases to wrongful death claims, we’ve recovered millions for our clients by holding negligent drivers accountable.
- Personal Approach: You’ll never be treated like just another case number. We know your story, we answer your calls, and we stand with you every step of the way.
- Trial-Tested: Insurance companies know we won’t accept less than you may deserve. If they refuse to play fair, we are fully prepared to win in court.
What Types of Car Accident Cases Do We Handle?
At Braker White, we’ve seen nearly every type of wreck, and we know how to hold negligent drivers accountable to fight for the maximum compensation available. We handle all types of car accident cases, including:
- Rear-End Collisions: Even “minor” fender benders can cause painful whiplash, back injuries, or head trauma. We help make sure insurers take these injuries seriously.
- Head-On Crashes: Among the most devastating accidents on Odessa’s highways, often leaving victims with catastrophic or fatal injuries.
- T-Bone and Intersection Accidents: Common at busy crossings, these crashes can cause severe spinal, chest, or brain injuries.
- Rollover Accidents: Especially dangerous with SUVs and trucks, often requiring extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
- Multi-Car Pileups and Chain-Reaction Crashes: Frequent on I-20 and local highways, and determining fault can be complex.
- Drunk and Distracted Driving Accidents: Some of the most preventable wrecks we see, caused by reckless choices that demand accountability.
- Hit-and-Run or Uninsured Motorist Accidents: Even when the at-fault driver flees or lacks insurance, we know how to pursue every avenue for recovery.
- Fatal Car Accidents: We stand with grieving families in wrongful death claims, fighting for justice and the financial support they need.
No matter how your crash happened, we have the experience, resources, and trial-tested strategies to fight for you. Let Braker White help you get your life back on track.
Put An Award Winning Lawyer On Your Side!
What Compensation Is Available After an Odessa Car Accident?
In Texas, victims of car accidents can seek a few different types of compensation. These are typically categorized into economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are tangible losses that can be objectively calculated and documented.
Common economic damages include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all medical treatments related to your injuries, including future medical care, if needed.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries have affected your ability to work, you can claim compensation for lost income. This also includes compensation for reduced future earning capacity due to any lasting or permanent effects of your injuries.
- Property Damage: This includes compensation for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Other Financial Losses: You may receive compensation for any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
In Texas, there is no cap on economic damages in most personal injury cases. This means the amount of compensation for economic damages you may be eligible to receive is only restricted by the extent of your financial losses.
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses, which are not as easily quantifiable.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical pain and discomfort, as well as emotional distress, caused by the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation if your injuries prevent you from enjoying daily activities and hobbies.
- Mental Anguish: Compensation for psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.
- Loss of Consortium: For the impact on your relationship with your spouse.
Texas law does not impose a cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. However, the amount of non-economic compensation awarded depends on the severity of your injuries and the long-term effects.
In cases where the defendant's actions were particularly reckless or egregious, Texas courts may award punitive damages. These are not tied to the victim's losses but are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Texas caps punitive damages at the greater of $200,000 or 2 times the amount of economic damages plus an equal amount of non-economic damages up to $750,000.
What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
After a crash, one of the first questions people ask is: “How much is my case worth?” The truth is, every car accident case is different. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, how the accident has affected your daily life, and who was at fault.
While we can’t give an exact number without knowing the details, we can tell you this: you may be entitled to compensation for much more than just your medical bills. Our team will work closely with you to understand the full impact of your crash and fight for the maximum recovery available.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Car Accident Lawsuit?
In Texas, the person or people who caused the crash can be held legally responsible. Figuring out who’s at fault is a key part of your case, and it’s not always as simple as it seems.
Here are some parties who may be held liable:
- Another driver who was speeding, distracted, or impaired.
- A company, if the driver was working at the time of the crash.
- A vehicle manufacturer, if a car defect (like brake failure) caused the accident.
- A government agency, if dangerous road conditions were involved.
- Multiple parties, in cases where more than one person contributed to the accident.
Our team at Braker White knows how to investigate crashes thoroughly, identify every liable party, and push back against insurance companies that try to shift blame.
Can I Still Get Money If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which means:
- You can recover compensation if you were less than 51% at fault.
- Your total award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you could still get $80,000.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Texas Car Accident?
Holding someone legally responsible for your injuries requires proving negligence. Under Texas law, this generally means showing 4 key elements:
- Duty of Care: Every driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely, follow traffic laws, and avoid putting others at risk.
- Breach of Duty: A driver (or another party) breaches that duty by acting carelessly or recklessly, such as speeding, texting while driving, or driving under the influence.
- Causation: You must show that the negligent action directly caused the crash and your injuries.
- Damages: Finally, you need evidence of the losses you suffered, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Proving these elements often requires solid evidence and establishing liability can be complex, especially when multiple parties or insurance companies are involved. That’s why it’s so important to have an auto accident attorney working to uncover the truth, build a strong case on your behalf, and make sure the right people are held accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Under Texas law, you have up to 2 years from the date of your car accident to file a lawsuit. That might sound like plenty of time, but waiting can hurt your case. Important evidence can be lost, and witnesses may forget key details.
The sooner you get started, the better your chances of recovering the compensation you may deserve. Reach out today so a car accident attorney in Odessa can begin protecting your rights.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Odessa
Not sure what to do after your crash? These first steps are important—not just for your health, but for protecting your legal rights:
- Call 911: Report the accident to police, even if it seems minor. A police report can be a key piece of evidence later on.
- Get medical attention: Some injuries don’t show up right away. Always get checked out by a doctor, even if you feel fine at first.
- Take photos: Snap pictures of the accident scene, damage to all vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs, and your injuries. The more visual evidence, the better.
- Exchange information: Get the other driver’s name, contact info, license plate number, insurance details, and driver’s license number.
- Don’t talk to the insurance company: Their goal is to settle fast and cheap. You’re not required to give a recorded statement. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
- Contact Braker White: Our car accident injury lawyers can review your case for free and help you take the next step toward getting compensated.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen in seconds, and our attorneys have handled countless crashes in and around Odessa. Here are some of the most common causes of car accidents we see:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, or adjusting the radio can take a driver’s focus off the road for just long enough to cause serious damage.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Driving too fast or weaving in and out of traffic leaves little time to react to sudden changes.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs slow down reaction times and impair judgment, putting everyone on the road at risk.
- Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Ignoring traffic signals is a major cause of dangerous T-bone and head-on crashes at intersections.
- Following Too Closely (Tailgating): Not leaving enough space between vehicles can quickly lead to a rear-end collision when traffic suddenly slows or stops.
- Poor Weather or Road Conditions: Rain, wind, and even West Texas dust storms can reduce visibility and make roads slick or unpredictable.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Odessa?
Unfortunately, car accidents aren’t rare in our community. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Ector County saw more than 4,680 accidents last year, with 3,584 of those happening in Odessa alone. That’s almost 10 crashes every single day.
Sadly, too many of these collisions lead to life-changing injuries or fatalities. In 2024, Odessa crashes included:
- 43 fatal accidents, resulting in 50 deaths
- 114 serious crashes, causing at least 137 catastrophic injuries
- Over 700 minor crashes, leaving more than 1,000 people injured
Accidents can happen anywhere, but some areas are especially dangerous. Roads like 42nd Street, I-20, Loop 338, and Andrews Highway see frequent wrecks due to heavy traffic, high speeds, and distracted drivers.
Common Injuries After a Car Crash
Even a so-called “minor” accident can leave you with lasting injuries that affect every part of your life. Our attorneys have helped Odessa crash victims recover compensation for injuries such as:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back injuries, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns and scarring
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Lacerations, abrasions, and facial trauma
- Emotional harm, including PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Some injuries show up right away, while others (like concussions, whiplash, or internal bleeding) may not appear until hours or days later. That’s why it’s so important to get evaluated by a doctor right away after a crash. In Odessa, that may mean going to Medical Center Hospital, Odessa Regional Medical Center, or the nearest emergency care facility to get checked out.
Once you’ve received treatment, our legal team will step in to:
- Collect medical records and document your injuries
- Work with doctors and experts to prove the long-term impact on your life
- Calculate not just today’s bills, but future costs for rehabilitation, therapy, or home modifications
- Fight for maximum compensation so you can focus on recovery, not financial stress
You shouldn’t have to carry the physical, emotional, and financial burden of a crash alone. Our Odessa car accident lawyers are here to hold negligent drivers accountable and help you take the next step forward.
Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
You have 2 years from the date of the accident, according to Texas law. But the sooner you act, the better your case can be.
You may still have options through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Our attorneys can help you explore every path to compensation.
Most cases settle before trial, but we’re always prepared to go to court if that’s what it takes to get you the money you may be owed.
That depends on your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and more. We offer a free case review to estimate your claim's value.
We handle everything from evidence collection, dealing with insurance companies, negotiating your settlement, and going to trial if needed. You focus on healing. We’ll handle the rest.
At Braker White, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means:
- You pay nothing upfront.
- You only pay if we win your case.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Schedule your free consultation with an auto wreck lawyer in Odessa today.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve–No Upfront Cost
After a car accident, you need more than advice—you need action. At Braker White, our attorneys bring over 60 years of combined experience fighting for our fellow West Texans. With a proven track record and a deep commitment to our clients, we’ll fight to get you the maximum compensation possible.
We know the aftermath of a car wreck is an extremely stressful time. Our team takes that weight off your shoulders by handling every detail, from investigating your accident to standing up to the insurance companies.
Here’s our promise: you pay nothing unless we win. Consultations are free, and we’re available when you need us.
Contact us today to speak with a trusted car accident lawyer in Odessa. Don’t wait—protect your rights and put our proven trial lawyers on your side.