Eagle Ford Accidents Continue to Increase

The Eagle Ford Shale supports oil and gas activity across South Texas. Unfortunately for those living and working in the region, commercial vehicles and heavy equipment share roads with local traffic, creating safety concerns. However, recent county figures do not show that Eagle Ford accidents are uniformly increasing. The attorneys at Carabin Shaw assist people injured in these types of accidents.

For instance, here are updated statistics about general auto accidents and [semi truck accidents/18 wheeler accidents](https://www.carabinshaw.com/semi-truck-accidents-18-wheeler-accidents.html) in several counties south of San Antonio. Comparing TxDOT's published annual reports for 2024 and 2025, McMullen County's total crashes declined from 50 to 42, while La Salle County's declined from 84 to 72.

Road conditions, traffic volume, and the mix of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks can affect driving conditions. Live Oak County recorded 390 crashes in 2025, compared with 435 in 2024. These totals cover all reportable traffic crashes in the county, not just those connected to oilfield activity.

Other counties also continued to experience accidents. In 2025, Karnes County recorded 203 crashes, Goliad County recorded 82, Duval County recorded 116, and Jim Wells County recorded 700. These annual totals do not establish that commercial drivers caused the crashes or that the incidents were related to oil and gas operations.

McMullen County's 42 crashes in 2025 resulted in two fatalities and one suspected serious injury. Live Oak County's 390 crashes resulted in seven fatalities and 25 suspected serious injuries. Separately, TxDOT's commercial motor vehicle crash report recorded six commercial-vehicle-involved crashes in McMullen County, with no fatalities or suspected serious injuries, and 85 in Live Oak County, resulting in one fatality and 11 suspected serious injuries. Commercial vehicle involvement does not, by itself, establish fault.

Oil and gas drilling and trucking companies must address the safety risks associated with their operations. Inadequate training, unsafe driving, and poorly maintained equipment can put workers and other motorists at risk. Contractors and service companies may also be involved, making it important to determine which parties controlled the work, operated the vehicles, or maintained the equipment. Our lawyers work to identify fault in these situations, which is often an important step in pursuing a claim.

Even when annual crash totals decline, you do not have to suffer from the consequences of an accident without assistance. From our headquarters in San Antonio, our attorneys help people injured at work sites and in auto accidents throughout the Eagle Ford region.

We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, so do not hesitate to contact us today. You can reach the law firm of Carabin Shaw day or night at 866-216-5356.