18-Wheeler Runs Stop Sign and Crashes into Truck in Midland, TX — 1 Dead and 4 Injured

An 18-wheeler traveling west on CR 160 just east of Midland on Thursday, January 16, 2020, crashed into a Dodge Ram 2500 that was towing a trailer after preliminary investigation reports indicate he blew a stop sign, according to statements by The Department of Safety. According to their troopers, the crash occurred at FM 1379 and County Road 160 at around 4:30 pm.

55-year-old Joseph A. Davis was the driver of the 18-wheeler and was pronounced dead at the scene. Reports indicate that he was not wearing a seatbelt.

All four passengers in the Dodge Ram were injured and taken to Midland Memorial Hospital, where two of them were then immediately airlifted to Lubbock.

Trucking Accidents in the US

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, every year, hundreds of thousands in the U.S. are injured in accidents caused by 18-wheelers. In 2017 alone, there were more than 150,000 accidents nationwide that involved an 18-wheeler and/or large commercial truck. Of those accidents, almost 5,000 resulted in fatalities. Federal statistics show that from just 2016 to 2017, the number of 18-wheelers and/or large commercial trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by 10% and the number of 18-wheelers and/or large trucks involved in injury crashes increased by 5%. About 57% of all fatal crashes which involved large trucks transpired in rural areas, 27% occurred on interstate highways, and about 13% of all fatal crashes occurred on rural Interstate highways. 74% of total fatal crashes and 81% of injury crashes involving large trucks occurred while the vehicle was in transport of goods.

Here in Texas, the chances of being involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler are much more likely due to the heavy transit in this state. These kinds of accidents come with a higher risk of death or serious injury, and unfortunately, the trend seems to be increasing rather than decreasing in number of recorded incidents.

Compensation Available to Truck Accident Victims in Texas

Texas law allows accident victims (including family members in fatal accidents) to recover not only their direct expenses but compensation for the physical and emotional effects of the crash as well. In many cases, this can result in substantial financial recovery.

When you hire us to represent you, we will help you seek compensation for:

• Medical, therapy and prescription costs
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life and impairments to your family relationships
• Other physical, financial and emotional harm

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, you could be entitled to compensation. Speak with our experienced trucking accident attorney for a free, confidential consultation today. When the driver of an 18-wheeler causes an accident, the consequences can be so much more severe than your average car accident. Because of the inherently dangerous nature of these accidents, you need an experienced injury attorney on your side to make sure that these drivers and the companies they work for are held accountable for their negligence and the injuries they’ve caused you.

If you’d like to learn answers to some of the most common trucking accident questions, visit our Common Questions section.