Undefeated Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers
In a three-day crackdown, Texas troopers issued nearly 1,500 commercial motor vehicle violations to unsafe big rigs in Odessa. The Texas Department of Public Safety, tasked with enforcing state-level commercial vehicle regulations, pulled over hundreds of 18-wheelers and large trucks during the operation in an effort to curb the alarming number of fatal truck accidents in West Texas and the Permian Basin.
And the results are staggering. Most of the safety violations uncovered were not only entirely preventable, but reveal a troubling pattern of negligence that continues to make this region one of the deadliest for truck accidents in the nation.
Here’s a closer look at the most common violations flagged by troopers and what to know about the ongoing truck accident epidemic plaguing the Permian Basin.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in an Odessa truck accident, our Undefeated Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers are ready to protect your rights and fight for your family’s future.
Odessa Truck Accidents Among Deadliest in Nation
Highway Patrol and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers conducted their special patrol operation in late October 2024 in an effort to curb an ongoing spike in fatal West Texas truck crashes.
As Odessa residents know all too well, there is an urgent need for stricter enforcement and better oversight of commercial vehicles in the Permian Basin. This is especially true along the region’s many narrow, one-lane highways and rural roads, such as “Death Highway” U.S. Route 285, where heavy truck traffic driven by the booming energy industry has made the area one of the deadliest for truck accidents in the nation.
Recent data from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute reveals just how dire the situation is:
- Between 2018 and 2022, Midland-Odessa recorded 200 fatal truck crashes.
- Nearly 15 out of every 1,000 crashes in the region involves a fatality — double the statewide rate.
- West Texas sees three times more fatal multi-vehicle truck crashes than the rest of the state.
With these statistics in mind, it’s clear why the Texas Department of Public Safety focused its efforts on identifying negligent truck drivers and trucking companies who continue to put profits over safety — an effort that is crucial in preventing more tragedies and saving lives on West Texas roadways.
Most Common Truck Safety Violations
During the crackdown, troopers stopped 853 large trucks and other motor vehicles, issuing nearly 2,000 violations. These violations highlight a widespread disregard for critical safety standards across the board, exposing how commonplace unsafe drivers and poorly maintained big rigs have become in the oil and gas industry, which frequently encourages reckless behavior to keep trucks and 18-wheelers constantly on the move between production sites.
Violations Issued:
- 1,941 total violations
- 858 equipment violations: Faulty brakes, worn tires, and defective lighting were among the most frequently cited issues, compromising the safety of both truck drivers and other motorists.
- 313 registration violations: Many trucks were found operating without proper registration, raising concerns about regulatory compliance.
- 299 speed violations: Speeding, especially on narrow West Texas highways, significantly increases the risk of fatal accidents.
- 116 driver’s license violations: Drivers operating without a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) or driving on a suspended license highlight gaps in the enforcement of driver qualifications.
- 31 move-over/slow-down violations: Failure to adhere to Texas’s move-over laws endangers first responders, roadside workers, and anyone stopped on a shoulder.
- 21 seat belt violations: These violations reflect a disregard for basic safety measures that protect drivers in the event of a crash.
- 14 violations for cell phone use in a school zone: Distracted driving remains a growing concern, especially in sensitive areas like school zones.
The operation also resulted in 18 misdemeanor arrests and 8 felony arrests, demonstrating that many of these violations stem from serious, often criminal, negligence.
Truck Out-of-Service Rates Far Exceed National Averages
Perhaps most alarming were the Out-of-Service (OOS) rates recorded during the operation. Out-of-Service orders are issued when a vehicle or driver is found to have violations so severe that they pose an imminent hazard to public safety. These orders immediately prohibit the vehicle from operating or the driver from continuing their route until the violations are corrected.
During the three-day blitz:
- 55 vehicles (41.3%) were placed OOS for severe safety violations, nearly double the national average of 21%.
- 22 drivers (16.5%) were taken OOS for serious infractions, such as operating under the influence or exceeding hours of service limits. This rate far exceeds the national average of 6%.
Despite crackdowns like these, the dangers persist because of reckless truck drivers and, more critically, negligent trucking companies that prioritize profits over safety. These companies routinely put unsafe vehicles and unqualified drivers on the road, ignoring federal and state regulations designed to protect the public.
Until the trucking industry is held fully accountable for its widespread safety violations, lives across the Permian Basin will tragically remain at risk.
Most Odessa Truck Accidents Are Preventable
As the results of the crackdown demonstrate, there are more unqualified big rig drivers on Permian Basin highways than ever before, and these drivers often lack the basic skills to operate an 18-wheeler or large truck safely, let alone handle the challenging roadway conditions and congestion commonplace in the Midland-Odessa area.
The most common—and preventable—causes of truck accidents in Odessa include:
- Distraction: Using mobile devices or other in-cab distractions while driving. Not surprisingly, troopers focused heavily on violations that increase the risk of distracted driving during the operation, such as the prohibited use of cell phones in school zones—an especially dangerous issue in rural communities.
- Speeding: Driving too fast for conditions, especially on narrow, rural highways. In fact, speeding causes most truck crashes in oil-producing regions.Troopers also targeted drivers who ignored Texas’s move-over/slow-down law, which is crucial for protecting roadside workers, first responders, or anyone pulled over on a shoulder on dangerous rural roadways.
- Fatigue: Operating beyond federally mandated hours of service, leading to dangerous decision-making and delayed reaction times.
- Aggression: Reckless driving behaviors, such as tailgating or unsafe lane changes.
- Inexperienced truckers: Many drivers lack the proper training or certifications to handle large commercial vehicles safely.
- Malfunctioning or Poorly Maintained Equipment: Issues like faulty brakes or worn tires significantly increase the likelihood of catastrophic crashes.
Each of these factors reflects a pattern of negligence—both on the part of drivers and the trucking companies that fail to enforce safety standards. When these preventable actions cause you or a loved one harm, you have the right to hold the at-fault parties fully accountable — and you deserve the best legal team on your side to seek the justice and full compensation you deserve.
Our Odessa personal injury lawyers are here to stand up, fight, and win for you and your family. Give us a call today!
How Zehl & Associates Can Help if You or a Loved One Were Injured in a Truck Accident in Odessa, TX
When you or a loved one are injured in a truck accident in Odessa, the trucking company and its insurers will only prioritize one thing: paying you as little as possible for your injuries and losses. But at Zehl & Associates, we have one goal — to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
With Billions won for victims of truck accidents, we have the resources, experience, and proven track record to stand up to the largest trucking companies and their insurers. And we don’t just win—we set records.
Once you hire us, we take immediate action to ensure you receive the best care and the maximum compensation possible. Our legal team stands by you every step of the way:
- We get you access to top medical care: We make sure you receive treatment from the best doctors and specialists in the country. We also ensure that your medical bills and reasonable living expenses are covered while your case is ongoing.
- We cannot be outworked or outmaneuvered: We assemble a team of truck accident lawyers, engineers, and safety experts to investigate the scene, gather crucial evidence, and build a strong case that shows exactly what happened—and how it should have been prevented.
- We NEVER settle for less: We do whatever it takes to secure the full compensation you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial, where our undefeated trial lawyers consistently achieve record-breaking verdicts and settlements.
As a result, our Odessa truck accident lawyers have earned a national reputation for recovering the largest truck and 18 wheeler accident verdicts and settlements in history for our clients.
But don’t just take our word for it. Hear what our clients have to say about how we go above and beyond for their families from day one.
Undefeated Odessa Truck Accident Attorneys: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
With Billions won and decades of experience, our Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers have proven that we don’t just win for truck accident victims and their families – we set records.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed by a truck or 18-wheeler in Odessa, call 1-888-603-3636, click the “Chat Now” button, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and make sure you have all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours
