Commercial vehicle accidents in and around Texas oilfields go far beyond tractor-trailers. Pickup trucks hauling equipment, vacuum trucks, water trucks, crane trucks, frac pump trucks, and service vehicles are all part of the daily machinery of oil and gas production — and all of them can cause catastrophic injuries when something goes wrong. If you were hit by one of these vehicles, or injured while operating one, you need to understand that your legal situation is almost certainly more complex than a standard car accident.
Texas oilfield commercial vehicle cases often involve overlapping employers, lease operating agreements, and chains of subcontractors that insurance companies use to confuse injured workers about who is truly responsible. Edward T. Garza and his team have handled these cases for decades and know how to cut through that complexity to identify every responsible party and pursue every available dollar of compensation.
Our Midland office at 507 E. Front Street puts us in the heart of Permian Basin country — a region that sees some of the highest commercial vehicle accident rates in the nation due to the sheer volume of traffic on roads that were never built for this scale of industrial activity. Whether your accident happened on a lease road, a state highway, or an interstate, we are ready to fight for you.
Key Facts About Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Texas
The Permian Basin alone generates hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicle trips per week during active drilling seasons, according to Texas Department of Transportation traffic studies of the Midland-Odessa corridor.
FMCSA regulations extend to any commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,001 pounds — this includes many oilfield pickups and service trucks that workers don't think of as 'commercial vehicles' subject to federal oversight.
Texas Railroad Commission records show that the majority of oilfield operators use multiple layers of contracted services — meaning the vehicle that hit you may be owned by a third party with separate insurance coverage that you can pursue independently of any workers' comp claim.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), transportation incidents — including commercial vehicle crashes — are consistently the leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in oil and gas extraction.
Vehicle maintenance failures, including tire blowouts and brake failures, are among the top mechanical causes of commercial truck crashes. Under Texas law, a company that knowingly operates an unsafe vehicle may be liable for gross negligence, which can support a punitive damages claim.
Common Questions About Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Does it matter that I was on the clock when the accident happened?
Yes, but not necessarily in the way you think. If you were injured while working, a workers' comp claim (if your employer subscribes) covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages. But it does not prevent you from filing a separate personal injury lawsuit against a third party — such as the driver of the other vehicle or their employer — if their negligence caused the crash. These two claims can run simultaneously.
The company that owned the vehicle that hit me is different from my employer. Can I still sue them?
Absolutely. This is called a third-party claim, and it is one of the most valuable rights oilfield workers don't know they have. If a subcontractor's driver, a vendor's vehicle, or an independent operator caused your injuries, you can pursue that company directly in civil court, completely separate from any claim against your own employer.
What if the driver who hit me was an independent contractor?
Texas courts look past the 'independent contractor' label when the hiring company controlled the details of the work. If the oil operator dictated routes, schedules, or safety rules, they may be treated as the employer for liability purposes. We investigate these relationships thoroughly in every case.
How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, meaning you generally must file suit within two years of the date of the accident. However, critical evidence — including vehicle black box data and surveillance footage — can disappear within weeks. Contact us immediately after an accident so we can act to preserve evidence.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
When you hire The Garza Law Firm, we guide you through every step of the legal process so you can focus on what matters most — your recovery.
Free Case Evaluation
We meet with you in person at our San Antonio or Midland office, by phone, or at your location if you are unable to travel, and review every detail of your accident to determine the full scope of your legal options.
Immediate Evidence Preservation
We send legal hold notices to all involved companies requiring them to preserve vehicle inspection records, GPS and telematics data, driver qualification files, dispatch logs, and any dashcam or surveillance footage.
Multi-Party Liability Analysis
We identify every commercial entity in the chain — the vehicle owner, the operator, the staffing agency, the oil company, and any equipment manufacturer — and assess each one's potential exposure under Texas law.
Workers' Comp Coordination
If a workers' comp claim is active, we coordinate with that process while simultaneously pursuing any available third-party personal injury claim so you are not leaving money on the table.
Full Damages Assessment
We work with medical professionals, vocational experts, and economists to quantify not just your current losses but your future medical needs and the full impact on your earning capacity.
Settlement or Trial
We negotiate from a position of strength backed by 50+ years of litigation experience. If the insurance carrier does not offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to present your case to a West Texas or San Antonio jury.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact The Garza Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
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