Midland Auto Accidents

Car accidents are always frightening, stressful, and expensive. But when your car accident occurs due to the negligence of another driver, the situation can quickly become a nightmare. If you or a loved one has recently been in an auto accident, here's what our experienced Midland auto accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw want you to know about wrecks involving negligent or reckless drivers.

Call Carabin Shaw-432.620.0544

What Are The Common Reasons For Car Crashes In Midland?

Negligence is one of the most common factors: It occurs whenever a person behaves carelessly and causes another person to become injured as a result. On the road, negligence can take many forms, such as ignoring traffic rules, discounting the dangers of commercial vehicles, not paying attention to the weather, speeding, distracted driving, such as cellphone use, and eating while driving.

1. High-Risk Intersection Accidents

Loop 250 Corridor Crashes: The location with the highest number of reported crashes in 2023 is the interchange of Loop 250 at Andrews Highway, as in prior years

Seven of the Top 10 high crash locations in Midland are interchanges on either Loop 250 or Interstate

Most Dangerous Midland Intersections:

• Loop 250 & Andrews Highway (highest crash location)
• Loop 250 & Thomason Dr.
• Loop 250 & Big Spring St.
• Loop 250 & Midland Dr.
• Loop 250 & Midkiff Rd.
• Midkiff Rd. & Wadley Ave.
• Longview Ave. & Belmont St.
• Andrews Hwy & Midland Dr.

2. Oil Industry Traffic Hazards

Heavy Industrial Vehicle Mix:

• Constant flow of oilfield trucks (water, sand, equipment haulers)
• 18-wheelers carrying drilling materials and chemicals
• Service vehicles traveling to/from drilling sites
• Speed differentials between industrial and passenger vehicles

Permian Basin-Specific Risks:

• 24/7 operations requiring round-the-clock truck traffic
• Narrow rural roads not designed for heavy truck volumes
• Frequent entering/exiting of highways by commercial vehicles
• Limited visibility areas near gas stations and truck stops

3. Weather and Environmental Factors

West Texas Weather Hazards:

• Sudden dust storms are reducing visibility to near zero
• High winds are affecting vehicle control (especially trucks)
• Flash flooding during rare but intense storms
• Extreme heat is causing tire blowouts
• Sun glare during morning/evening commutes

4. Driver Fatigue from Oil Industry Work

Shift Work Challenges:

• 12-hour work shifts are standard in the oil industry
• Workers are driving long distances to remote work sites
• Rotating shifts disrupt standard sleep patterns
• Fatigue from physically demanding oilfield work
• Long commutes between housing and work locations

5. Speed-Related Accidents

High-Speed Highway Crashes:

• Interstate 20 runs through Midland
• Highway 349 (Andrews Highway) high-speed corridor
• Business Route 20 through the city center
• Speed differentials between local and through traffic

6. Distracted Driving

Modern Distractions:

• Cell phone use while navigating unfamiliar areas
• GPS devices in work vehicles
• Eating while commuting long distances
• Radio/communication device use in commercial vehicles

7. Rural County Road Dangers

• Farm-to-Market Road 1788 and State Highway 158
• Infrastructure deficiencies and speed differentials
• Oil industry impact on rural roads
• Emergency response challenges and enhanced damages

What is Reckless Driving?

Recklessness is defined differently from negligence, but it is no less dangerous. In fact, whereas negligence is usually a civil offense, reckless driving is a crime. Consequently, if your case involves a careless driving charge, you will need our motor vehicle collision lawyers serving Midland who have trial experience and are ready to bring your case to court if necessary.

Unlike negligence, recklessness occurs when the driver is aware of the risk involved and acts with a willful disregard for the safety of others (whereas a negligent actor is unaware of the risk that they should have been aware of).

Examples of reckless driving include:

• Speeding
• Failure to stop after being ordered to do so by a police officer
• Moving violations
• Break Checking another Vehicle
• For example, improperly passing an emergency vehicle

You may still be unsure whether or not your car accident falls under the category of reckless or negligent driving. Our personal injury attorneys can help you by discussing the specific details of your personal injury claim, but you can also ask yourself the following questions:

Did Your Motor Vehicle Collision Involve …

• A hit-and-run driver?
• A rear-end collision?
• Drunk driving or driving under the influence?
• An uninsured or underinsured driver?

If so, you have strong grounds for a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and should contact our Midland attorney at Carabin Shaw as soon as possible.

Call Carabin Shaw-432.620.0544

Official Midland Police Department Traffic Crash Statistics

2023 Official Data (Most Recent):

The total number of reported crashes in the City of Midland slightly increased -- from 2,919 in 2022 to 3,016 in 2023

The number of crashes with injuries, which are always responded to and reported by police, increased by 9% from 874 in 2022 to 959 in 2023

The number of fatalities in 2023 was 20, resulting from 18 fatal crashes, compared to 2022 was 24 fatalities, resulting from 23 fatal crashes

Overall, traffic volume counts taken throughout the city in 2023 increased 15 percent compared to 2022 counts at the exact locations

2022 Official Data:

• Total crashes: 2,919
• Injury crashes: 874
• Fatalities: 24 (from 23 fatal crashes)

Key Official Findings:

Most Dangerous Location: The location with the highest number of reported crashes in 2023 is the interchange of Loop 250 at Andrews Highway, as in prior years

High-Risk Pattern: Seven of the Top 10 high crash locations in Midland are interchanges on either Loop 250 or Interstate

SignificantData Limitation: Also, there was a number of crashes that may have occurred but were unreported due to a change in the response policy of the Midland Police Department (MPD).

Summary of Official Verified Statistics:

• 2023: 3,016 total crashes, 959 injury crashes, 20 fatalities
• 2022: 2,919 total crashes, 874 injury crashes, 24 fatalities
• Traffic volume increased 15% from 2022 to 2023
• Loop 250 at Andrews Highway is themost dangerous intersection
• Data available back to 2010 on the city website

Source: City of Midland Traffic Operations Division, Annual Traffic Crash Report (Official Municipal Government Data)

These are the accurate, officially verified numbers from the Midland Police Department's traffic crash reporting system.

Insurance companies will frequently try to use tactics to either underpay or deny your claim altogether. Having an experienced auto accident attorney in Midland will increase your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve. Don't play into the hands of the insurance companies; get Carabin Shaw in your corner.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash because of the actions of a reckless or negligent driver in Midland, our firm will work diligently to earn you the strongest possible settlement. While you focus on getting the medical treatment you need, we will fight to get your medical bills paid and to recover the financial losses caused by your injuries.

The skilled and compassionate lawyers at Carabin Shaw will guide you through the legal process and will protect your rights every step of the way. We will fight to get you compensation for the pain, suffering, medical bills, property damage, and any other injuries you have endured due to your accident.

Our knowledgeable Midland auto accident attorneys have over 33 years of experience in handling car crash cases involving reckless or negligent drivers, and we want to help you in the aftermath of your wreck. Chat online or call us today for a free consultation at 432.620.0544 and find out what we can do for you.

---

---