If you were injured in a trucking accident on or near an oilfield in Texas, you are not alone — and you may have far more legal options than you realize. The Permian Basin and other Texas oil-producing regions are crisscrossed daily by heavy haul trucks, tanker trucks carrying crude oil and produced water, sand haulers, and equipment-laden flatbeds. These vehicles operate under intense pressure, often on poorly maintained caliche roads or two-lane state highways not designed for their weight and frequency. When collisions happen, the injuries are severe.
Edward T. Garza has spent over 50 years fighting for injured Texans, including the oilfield workers, truck drivers, and bystanders harmed in these crashes. We understand that you may be dealing with serious injuries, lost income, and pressure from your employer or an insurance adjuster who called you quickly after the accident. That call was not made out of kindness — it was made to protect them, not you. Do not give a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.
Oilfield trucking accidents involve multiple layers of liability that most injured workers never know to pursue. The trucking company, the oil and gas operator, a staffing company, a vehicle maintenance contractor, or an equipment manufacturer may all share responsibility for what happened to you. The Garza Law Firm has offices in San Antonio and Midland, putting us at the center of the Permian Basin where these cases are born.
Key Facts About Oilfield Trucking Accidents in Texas
Texas leads the nation in fatal large-truck crashes — the Texas Department of Transportation recorded over 800 fatal commercial vehicle crashes in a single recent year, more than any other state.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require commercial trucking companies to maintain driver qualification files, hours-of-service logs, and inspection records — and violations of these rules can be used as evidence of negligence in your lawsuit.
Many oilfield trucking companies are independent contractors or small operators hired by major oil companies. Under Texas law, the hiring company (the oil operator) can still be held liable if it retained enough control over the contractor's work.
Hours-of-service violations are rampant in oilfield logistics. Drivers hauling crude, water, or sand are often pressured to exceed legal drive-time limits to keep production on schedule — fatigue is a leading cause of commercial truck crashes.
Black box data (Electronic Logging Devices, or ELDs) and dashcam footage are frequently erased or overwritten within 30–90 days. An attorney can send a legal preservation letter immediately to prevent destruction of this critical evidence.
Common Questions About Oilfield Trucking Accidents
My employer says I'm only entitled to workers' comp. Is that true?
Texas is the only state where employers can legally opt out of the workers' compensation system — and many oilfield companies do. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you have the right to sue them directly in court for negligence, and many defenses they would normally have are stripped away. Even if they do carry workers' comp, you may still have a separate third-party claim against the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, or another contractor whose negligence caused the crash.
The trucking company's insurance adjuster already called me. What should I do?
Do not give a recorded statement, accept any payment, or sign any documents before consulting an attorney. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and will use your own words against you. Politely decline to discuss the facts of the accident until you have legal representation.
Can I sue if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Do not assume an admission or partial fault bars your claim.
What damages can I recover beyond medical bills?
In a successful oilfield trucking accident claim, you may be entitled to past and future medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and in some cases punitive damages if the conduct was grossly negligent. Texas law does not cap most of these damages in personal injury cases.
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 review the full details of your accident at no cost and no obligation, including the circumstances, your injuries, who was involved, and whether your employer subscribes to workers' compensation. You will leave knowing your options.
Evidence Preservation
We immediately send spoliation letters to the trucking company, the oil operator, and any other responsible party requiring them to preserve black box data, dashcam footage, driver logs, maintenance records, and dispatch communications before they are destroyed.
Investigation & Liability Mapping
Our team investigates the accident scene, pulls FMCSA and TXDOT records, reviews the driver's history, and identifies every party that may share legal responsibility — including equipment manufacturers, staffing companies, and the oil and gas operator.
Medical Documentation & Expert Retention
We work with your medical providers and, where necessary, independent medical experts to fully document your injuries, treatment timeline, and long-term prognosis so no damage goes unaccounted for.
Demand & Negotiation
We build a comprehensive demand package and negotiate aggressively with insurance carriers on your behalf. The Garza Law Firm's 50+ years of trial experience and $35M+ in settlements gives insurers reason to take our demands seriously.
Trial-Ready Litigation
If a fair settlement is not offered, we take the case to trial. We are not a settlement mill — we prepare every case as if it will be tried before a jury in Texas.
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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