Midland Truck Accident Lawyers

Big Rig Hit You? Get the Compensation You Deserve

Texas consistently leads the nation as the state that often has the most number of fatal truck crashes. January 2026 brought tragedy when Robert Harold Krauter Jr., 58, died on Highway 349 after his Ford F-150 hit the rear of a semi that was slowing to turn. His vehicle caught fire after impact. He died at the scene, leaving behind a family dealing with funeral costs, unanswered questions, and a trucking company already building its defense.

May 2025 showed how cargo problems cause crashes when a truck’s improperly secured load shifted during a right turn at Midkiff Road and Bankhead Highway. The trailer rolled over and destroyed a traffic light. The driver got cited for Texas DOT violations.

July 2024 took Tommy Earl Palmer, 73, when a Peterbilt cement truck hit his Chevy Cruze from behind at high speed on Highway 191. Emergency crews pulled him from the wreckage and rushed him to Midland Memorial Hospital, but he didn’t make it.

These crashes happen because drivers follow too closely, companies skip securing cargo properly, and trucks hit stopped vehicles at deadly speeds. When 80,000-pound semis collide with regular cars, people get catastrophically hurt or killed. 

If a truck hit you or killed someone you love, you’re facing overwhelming problems right now. Hospital bills are piling up. Income has stopped. Insurance adjusters are calling asking questions designed to minimize what they pay. The trucking company already has lawyers working.

We represent people hurt by commercial trucks throughout Midland and West Texas. Federal trucking regulations? We know them cold. Insurance tactics? We’ve beaten them all. Making trucking companies pay? We’ve recovered millions doing that.

Our local office is at 223 W Wall St Suite 200, Midland, TX 79701. Multiple truck cases we’ve handled settled for over $2 million each.

Talking to us costs nothing. You pay nothing unless we get you money.

Call (800) 863-5312 or our local line: (432) 400-4680.

Meet the Team Fighting For You

Jack Zinda opened this firm in 2008 sick of watching insurance companies steamroll injured people. He wanted something strong enough to stand up to billion-dollar trucking corporations.

Truck crashes work totally different legally than regular car wrecks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration controls commercial trucking through regulations: maximum hours drivers can work without rest, exactly how cargo gets loaded and secured, which maintenance tasks must happen and when, who legally qualifies to drive commercially. Companies break these rules constantly. When they do and people get hurt, those broken rules become your proof. Our lawyers specialize in digging that up.

Hiring us means getting way more than one attorney. Over 100 people work injury cases for us: investigators who grab evidence before it disappears, specialists rebuilding crashes to show exactly what happened, experts who memorize federal trucking regulations, medical professionals calculating what your care will really cost long-term, trial lawyers who’ve beaten trucking companies in court.

We reject cases regularly. We’re selective. That means your lawyer actually has time to know your file inside out, get back to you fast, and care about what happens to you.

Six thousand five hundred cases closed. Four hundred million dollars recovered for clients. Several truck settlements individually topped two million.

Want to discuss what happened? Call us at (800) 863-5312 or submit our online form.

Our Awards

Jack Zinda‘s a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. You get there by winning seven-figure and eight-figure cases for catastrophically injured people. One percent of American lawyers qualify.

We also have spots in The Trucking Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 10 and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.

Our Awards

AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)

AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)

AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)

LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA

See How We’ve Helped Others

After a serious injury, the right legal support should make things simpler, not harder. At Zinda Law Group, our goal is to reduce uncertainty so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal work.

Hear From a Real Client – Jacob

“With Zinda Law Group, I was able to get my life back together.” – Jacob

Hear From a Real Client – Marlon

“Zinda was very prepared and very compassionate.” – Marlon

Why People Hire Us

We Only Get Paid When You Do

Here’s the deal: we win you money, we take a cut. We don’t win anything, we don’t get paid. Simple as that. No hourly charges. Nothing is required upfront. Texas regulates what percentage we can take. We’ll walk you through exact numbers before you agree to anything.

We Actually Know Federal Trucking Law

Most injury lawyers handle regular car accidents. Trucks operate under totally different federal rules. Those regulations control everything: driver work hours, cargo weight limits, maintenance requirements, and licensing standards. When trucking companies violate these rules and hurt people, we know how to prove those violations.

Insurance Games Don’t Work on Us

Trucking insurers delay everything hoping you’ll get desperate and take whatever they offer. They blame you before they investigate. They make quick, lowball offers before you realize how badly you’re hurt. We’ve seen every trick. None of them work.

A Whole Team Backs You Up

Evidence specialists move fast preserving proof before it’s gone. Medical experts figure out what your lifetime care will actually cost. Regulation experts catch violations other lawyers miss. Trial attorneys who’ve defeated trucking companies in courtrooms. Staff is making sure nothing gets missed or delayed.

We Speak Normal English

The Better Business Bureau gave us an A+. Clients consistently say one thing: we keep them informed. Legal stuff confuses everyone. Most lawyers talk like lawyers. We explain what’s happening using regular words, and we tell you right away when anything changes.

We’ve Beaten Big Trucking Companies

Complicated truck cases against major carriers with unlimited money for lawyers? We’ve won those across Texas. Millions recovered. Rich corporate defendants don’t scare us.

How Cases Work

Step 1: Free Meeting

Tell us what happened. Show us whatever proof you have. Get our honest opinion. No cost. No obligation.

Step 2: Locking Evidence Down

We send legal preservation notices to trucking companies forcing them to keep all accident evidence. Investigators visit crash sites, interview witnesses, start collecting documentation before anything disappears.

Step 3: Thorough Investigation

We get driver logbooks, ELD data, maintenance logs, cargo records, employment files, training records, company safety documents. Crash reconstruction specialists and federal regulation experts spot every violation that contributed.

Step 4: Expert Analysis

Medical experts document injuries and project future treatment needs. Economic specialists calculate lifetime earning losses. Trucking experts testify about violated standards.

Step 5: Tough Negotiation

We build comprehensive demand packages showing exactly what you’re owed and why. We present them to insurance carriers. Our trial preparation shows we’re serious. Insurance companies recognize that and usually produce better offers.

Step 6: Court if Needed

If insurers refuse fair money, we file lawsuits and present cases to Texas juries. Our trial lawyers have extensive trucking case experience.

Why Hiring a Lawyer Matters

Insurance companies protect trucking companies

Insurance carriers focus on protecting the trucking company’s financial interests. Early settlement offers often cover only a small portion of the true cost of a serious truck crash. A lawyer evaluates the real value of your claim, gathers evidence, and pushes back against low offers.

Trucking companies already have legal teams

Commercial carriers typically keep lawyers on staff or on retainer. These attorneys know trucking regulations and focus on limiting the company’s liability. Having your own legal representation ensures someone is protecting your rights and building a strong case.

Multiple parties may be responsible

Truck crashes often involve more than one liable party. Identifying everyone responsible increases the insurance coverage available.

Possible liable parties may include

• The truck driver
  
• The trucking company
  
• The owner of the truck
  
• Cargo loading companies
  
• Maintenance providers
  
• Parts manufacturers
  
• Government agencies responsible for unsafe roads
  

Truck crashes create specialized evidence

Commercial trucking generates records that do not exist in most car accidents. These can include driver logs, electronic logging device data, maintenance records, cargo documents, driver qualification files, and onboard camera footage. Preserving this evidence quickly can be critical.

Deadlines can determine the outcome

Truck accident cases follow strict legal timelines. Missing filing deadlines or procedural requirements can end a claim entirely. Legal representation helps ensure every requirement is handled properly.

Commercial Trucks on Roads

Midland sits along major trucking routes including Interstate 20. Heavy commercial traffic moves through the area daily, with fully loaded trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds. Many types of commercial vehicles operate in the region.

Tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers

Large semi trucks dominate highway traffic. When fully loaded, they can cause devastating damage in a crash. Speeding, following too closely, brake problems, and driver fatigue are common contributing factors.

Delivery trucks and box vans

Delivery vehicles from companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS travel constantly through the city neighborhoods and business areas. Tight delivery schedules can lead to speeding, unsafe turns, and rushed driving.

Fuel tankers and hazardous material trucks

Tankers often transport fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials. The movement of liquid cargo can destabilize the vehicle during turns, and crashes may result in fires, explosions, or dangerous spills.

Dump trucks and construction vehicles

Construction trucks frequently support oil industry and infrastructure projects. Brake issues, shifting loads, and limited visibility create risks near work zones.

Tow trucks

Tow operators often respond quickly to breakdowns or accidents. Speeding to reach a scene or improperly secured vehicles can lead to additional crashes.

Garbage trucks

Trash collection vehicles operate in neighborhoods with frequent stops, large blind spots, and frequent reversing. These factors increase the risk of collisions with nearby vehicles or pedestrians.

Flatbed trucks

Flatbed trucks haul heavy equipment, construction materials, and oversized cargo. If loads are not properly secured, falling debris can create serious hazards for other drivers.

Whatever type of commercial vehicle caused your crash, legal support can help investigate what happened.

Common Truck Accident Types

Truck accidents can occur in many ways. We represent people injured in collisions such as

• Rear-end crashes when trucks cannot stop in time
  
• Sideswipe crashes during unsafe lane changes
  
• Head-on crashes when trucks cross center lines
  
• Rollover crashes caused by speed or shifting cargo
  
• Jackknife crashes where trailers swing out of control
  
• Multi-vehicle pileups on busy highways
  
• Underride crashes where smaller vehicles slide under trailers
  
• Cargo spill accidents that create road hazards

Why Truck Accidents Happen

Many truck crashes occur because of preventable mistakes. Drivers and trucking companies must follow strict safety rules and maintain their vehicles properly.

Excessive speed

Driving too fast reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance. At highway speeds, a mistake involving an 80,000-pound truck can quickly become fatal.

Distracted driving

Texting, using GPS, eating, adjusting equipment, or communicating with dispatch can take a driver’s attention away from the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can be dangerous.

Poor observation

Failure to check mirrors, blind spots, or intersections properly can lead to serious collisions.

Medical issues

Health problems or sudden illness can affect alertness and the ability to safely control a truck.

Aggressive driving

Tailgating, cutting off other drivers, and road rage create unnecessary risks. Delivery pressures sometimes push drivers toward aggressive behavior.

Medication effects

Some over-the-counter or prescription medications cause drowsiness or slow reaction time, which can impair driving ability.

Inadequate training

Driving commercial trucks requires specialized skills. High industry turnover means some companies rush drivers onto the road with limited training.

Unfamiliar routes

Drivers traveling through unfamiliar areas may make sudden lane changes, miss exits, or make unsafe decisions while navigating.

Improper cargo loading

Cargo that is overloaded or not secured correctly can shift during travel. This can destabilize the truck and cause rollovers or jackknife crashes.

Brake failures and mechanical problems

Poor maintenance is a major cause of truck crashes. Worn brakes, defective tires, and other mechanical failures can lead to loss of control.

Driver fatigue

Federal regulations limit driving hours, but some drivers exceed these limits to meet delivery schedules. Fatigue slows reaction time and increases the risk of accidents.

Intoxicated driving

Alcohol or drugs impair judgment and coordination. Some drivers misuse substances to stay awake or cope with demanding schedules.

Unsafe driving in bad conditions

Truck drivers must adjust their speed and behavior for rain, ice, fog, or poor visibility. Failing to adapt to road conditions can quickly lead to crashes.

Injuries Truck Crashes Cause

When 80,000 pounds hits 4,000 pounds or hits people directly, results are catastrophic. Common injuries:

• Brain damage changing how you think and who you are forever
• Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis
• Multiple broken bones needing surgical repair
• Severe neck and back damage requiring procedures like ACDF surgery
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Severe burns needing skin grafts
• Amputations
• Crushing injuries with permanent effects
• Serious facial fractures
• Broken ribs and collapsed lungs
• Liver damage and hemorrhaging
• Deep cuts leaving permanent scars
• Chronic pain limiting everything you do
• Severe trauma, PTSD, anxiety
• Death

Financial costs can hit millions when you count emergency care, surgeries, extended rehab, permanent care needs, lost income for life, destroyed quality of life. We count all of it.

Money That May Be Available After a Truck Accident

Truck accident claims are often far larger than standard car accident cases. Two factors explain this. Commercial trucking companies carry substantial insurance coverage, and the injuries caused by heavy trucks are often severe or life-changing.

Several types of compensation may be available depending on the details of the crash.

Medical Treatment and Future Care

Medical expenses usually make up a large portion of truck accident claims. These costs can begin the moment emergency responders arrive and continue for months or even years.

Compensation may include ambulance transport, emergency surgery, time in the ICU, hospital stays, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and home health assistance. Many injuries also require long-term treatment. We work with medical specialists who evaluate the care you may need in the future so those costs are properly included in your claim.

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Ability

Many people cannot return to work right away after a serious crash. Some cannot return to the same career at all.

Claims can include income lost during recovery as well as reduced earning potential if your injuries prevent you from doing the work you once did. We also examine lost benefits, retirement contributions, and the long-term financial effect of earning less over the course of your career.

Vehicle and Property Damage

Compensation can cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle along with any personal belongings that were damaged in the crash.

Physical Pain and Emotional Suffering

Serious accidents affect more than the body. Many people face months of physical pain along with emotional challenges that follow a traumatic event.

Texas law recognizes damages connected to physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, sleep disruption, depression, and the daily stress of living through a difficult recovery.

Permanent Changes to Daily Life

Some injuries leave lasting limitations. These may include reduced mobility, visible scarring, or permanent physical restrictions that affect work, hobbies, or daily routines.

Compensation may account for the ways these long-term changes affect your quality of life.

Impact on Marriage and Family Relationships

Severe injuries can place heavy strain on family life. In some cases, spouses may bring their own claim for the loss of companionship, emotional support, or intimacy caused by the injury.

Wrongful Death Compensation

If a truck crash leads to the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional loss suffered by the family.

Punitive Damages in Extreme Cases

When a trucking company’s actions go beyond simple carelessness and show serious safety violations, courts may award punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish reckless conduct and discourage similar behavior in the future.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Truck Crash

The actions you take in the hours and days after a crash can affect your health and your ability to recover compensation.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

See a doctor as soon as possible even if you think your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can hide pain, and some conditions such as internal bleeding or brain injuries may not show symptoms right away.

Medical records created soon after the crash also establish a clear connection between the accident and your injuries. Without that documentation, insurance companies often argue the injuries came from something else.

Request an Official Accident Report

Call 911 immediately so police can respond and document what happened. Officers will record important information including the trucking company name, vehicle identification numbers, and other details that become valuable evidence later.

Gather Evidence if You Are Able

If your condition allows it, take photographs of the vehicles, the crash location, road conditions, weather, and any visible injuries. Try to capture the truck’s company name and identifying numbers.

Collect contact information from witnesses and write down everything you remember while the details are still fresh. Keep damaged clothing and personal belongings as additional evidence.

Avoid Speaking With the Trucking Company’s Insurance

Insurance adjusters often reach out quickly after a crash. They may seem friendly and offer help, but their goal is to protect the company’s financial interests.

Do not provide recorded statements or detailed explanations about the accident. Instead, direct them to your lawyer.

Act Quickly to Preserve Evidence

Trucking companies often send investigators to crash scenes within hours. Important evidence can disappear quickly. Electronic driving logs may only be stored for six months, surveillance footage can be overwritten within weeks, and maintenance records may not be kept long.

Early legal involvement allows preservation requests to be sent quickly so this evidence is protected.

Texas Deadlines for Truck Accident Claims

Two Year Filing Deadline

Texas law generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. The same deadline usually applies to wrongful death cases.

If the deadline passes, the court can dismiss the claim permanently regardless of how strong the evidence may be.

Electronic Evidence Can Disappear Quickly

Many commercial trucks use electronic logging devices that automatically delete data after several months. Video systems and internal records may also be erased if they are not preserved early.

Legal preservation notices can require companies to keep this information.

Witness Memories Fade

Witness statements are strongest soon after a crash. As time passes, memories become less reliable and it becomes harder to locate people who saw what happened.

The Trucking Company Begins Its Defense Immediately

Insurance companies often assign investigators and defense attorneys right away. Their team may begin building a case while victims are still recovering in the hospital.

Having legal support early helps protect your interests from the start.

How Liability Is Proven in a Truck Accident Case

A successful claim requires showing four key elements:

• First, a legal duty existed. Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to follow traffic laws and federal safety regulations designed to protect the public.
• Second, that duty was violated. This may include speeding, driving while exhausted, failing to maintain the truck properly, overloading cargo, distracted driving, or ignoring safety rules.
• Third, the violation caused the crash and the resulting injuries. Accident reconstruction specialists, electronic truck data, and medical experts help establish this connection.
• Fourth, measurable losses occurred. Medical bills, lost income, damaged property, and physical suffering all demonstrate the real impact of the crash.

When Fault Is Shared in Texas

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule.

An injured person can still recover compensation as long as they are 50 percent or less responsible for the accident. The total recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned.

For example, if damages total $300,000 and a person is found 20 percent responsible, the recovery would be reduced to $240,000.

If fault reaches 51 percent or more, compensation is no longer available. Insurance companies often attempt to increase a victim’s percentage of blame to reduce what they must pay, which is why careful investigation is important.

Tips for Staying Safe Around Large Trucks

Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Giving them adequate space can reduce the risk of a serious collision.

• Stay visible to truck drivers whenever possible.
• Avoid passing trucks on the right side.
• Allow trucks plenty of room to merge or change lanes.
• Do not follow closely behind large trucks.
• Avoid cutting in front of a truck and braking suddenly.
• Give trucks extra distance to stop and space to make wide turns.

Even when drivers take precautions, some crashes cannot be avoided. When that happens, having the right support can make a difficult situation easier to manage.

More Helpful Information

• Common Causes of 18 Wheeler Truck Accidents: Driver Error
• What Should I Do After A Fatal Truck Accident?
• 5 Things You Should Know When Handling Your First Truck Accident Case
• Multi‑Vehicle Truck Accidents: What Victims Need to Know
• What Happens When You Get Run Over by a Truck?
• Accident Law Insights: What You Need to Know After a Truck Crash in Your City
• Injured in a Truck Accident While Pregnant?

Talk to Us Today

Recovering from truck crashes takes all your strength. Legal fights shouldn’t drain what’s left.

Call and talk to someone who gets what you’re going through. We’ll listen carefully, answer questions honestly, explain your options using everyday words.

Your first meeting costs nothing. Taking your case requires nothing upfront. We get paid only from money we recover for you.

Got hurt by a commercial truck in Midland or anywhere in West Texas? Call (800) 863-5312 or our local office: (432) 400-4680. Fill out our online form for quick callback.

Meetings by appointment.

FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

Most truck accident lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay anything upfront. Legal fees are only collected if money is recovered through a settlement or court verdict. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing for attorney fees.

How long does a truck accident case usually take?

Every case moves at a different pace depending on the injuries, evidence involved, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate fairly. Some claims resolve within several months, while complex cases may take a year or longer, especially if a lawsuit becomes necessary.

What if the truck driver was from another state?

Many commercial trucks travel across state lines. If an out-of-state driver or trucking company caused the crash, you can still pursue a claim in Texas if the accident happened in Midland or elsewhere in the state. Trucking companies that operate in Texas must follow Texas laws and federal trucking regulations.

Can passengers injured in a truck crash file a claim?

Yes. Passengers injured in a truck accident often have strong claims because they are rarely responsible for causing the crash. Injured passengers can pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages against the driver or company responsible.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?

Even when drivers are classified as independent contractors, trucking companies may still be legally responsible. Liability can depend on factors such as who owned the truck, who controlled the delivery schedule, and whether the company failed to follow safety regulations.

Can I still file a claim if the truck driver died in the crash?

Yes. A claim can still move forward even if the truck driver passed away in the accident. In many situations, the trucking company’s insurance policy and corporate liability remain in place regardless of the driver’s status.

What happens if the trucking company denies responsibility?

It is common for trucking companies and insurers to deny fault early in the process. When that happens, the case can proceed through further investigation, negotiation, and potentially a lawsuit where evidence is presented to a jury.

Do truck accident cases usually settle or go to trial?

Most truck accident claims settle before reaching trial. However, preparing every case as if it may go to court often leads to stronger settlement offers. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, the case can proceed to trial.

What if the crash involved more than one truck?

Multi-truck collisions are complex and often involve multiple insurance policies. Investigations may focus on driver actions, cargo handling, vehicle maintenance, and road conditions to determine how each party contributed to the crash.

Can families file a claim if their loved one was killed by a truck?

Yes. When a truck accident results in death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. In Texas, this is typically filed by spouses, children, or parents of the person who passed away.

John (Jack) Zinda

Founder / CEO

Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

Neil Solomon

Partner

Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation