For many Texans, Interstate 20 is simply a route across West Texas. For the people who live and work in Big Spring, however, it’s much more than that. Every day, I-20 carries thousands of commercial trucks transporting oilfield equipment, agricultural products, manufactured goods, fuel, and consumer freight between El Paso, Midland-Odessa, Big Spring, Abilene, and Dallas.
While this highway is essential to the region’s economy, the constant flow of tractor-trailers also increases the risk of devastating accidents. When a fully loaded 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, the injuries are often catastrophic, leaving victims with overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and long recoveries.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident near Big Spring, understanding why these crashes happen—and who may be responsible—is the first step toward protecting your legal rights.
Big Spring Is a Key Stop Along Interstate 20
Big Spring sits in the heart of Howard County, making it an important transportation hub for West Texas. Interstate 20 connects the city to major energy-producing areas in the Permian Basin while also serving long-haul trucking routes across Texas and the southern United States.
In addition to local traffic, thousands of commercial vehicles travel through Big Spring every day without stopping. Oilfield service trucks, livestock haulers, flatbed trailers, fuel tankers, and delivery vehicles all rely on I-20 to move goods efficiently across the region.
With so many large trucks sharing the road with everyday drivers, even a small mistake can lead to a serious collision.
Oilfield and Agricultural Traffic Increase the Risk
Unlike many highways in urban areas, Interstate 20 near Big Spring supports multiple industries at the same time.
Commercial trucks regularly transport drilling equipment, pipe, frac sand, water tanks, fuel, and heavy machinery to oilfield operations throughout West Texas. At the same time, agricultural producers use the highway to move cotton, cattle feed, grain, and livestock across the state.
This mix of oversized loads, frequent lane changes, and varying vehicle speeds creates challenging driving conditions, especially during peak business hours.
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen on Interstate 20?
Truck accidents rarely occur because of a single factor. Instead, several issues often combine to create dangerous situations.
Driver fatigue remains one of the leading causes of serious truck crashes. Long hours behind the wheel can reduce reaction times and impair judgment, particularly on long stretches of highway like Interstate 20.
Distracted driving is another growing concern. Whether a driver is using a GPS device, checking dispatch messages, or reaching for a phone, even a brief distraction can have devastating consequences.
Speeding also contributes to many crashes. Large commercial trucks require much longer distances to stop than passenger vehicles, making excessive speed especially dangerous during sudden traffic slowdowns or road construction.
Mechanical failures, including brake problems, tire blowouts, steering defects, and poor vehicle maintenance, can also cause catastrophic accidents when trucks are traveling at highway speeds.
Construction Zones Require Extra Caution
As traffic volumes continue to grow across West Texas, portions of Interstate 20 regularly undergo maintenance and expansion projects.
Construction zones often reduce lane widths, change traffic patterns, and create sudden congestion. Drivers who fail to slow down or maintain safe following distances place everyone around them at greater risk.
Commercial trucks traveling through these work zones require even more time and distance to stop safely, increasing the severity of collisions when accidents occur.
Determining Liability After a Truck Accident
Many people assume the truck driver is always responsible after a crash, but truck accident investigations are often far more complicated.
Depending on the facts, liability may extend to the trucking company, a maintenance contractor, the company responsible for loading cargo, the manufacturer of defective equipment, or another third party whose negligence contributed to the accident.
Investigators may review driver qualification files, electronic logging device (ELD) data, maintenance records, inspection reports, dash camera footage, GPS information, and cargo loading documentation to determine exactly what happened.
A thorough investigation is often the key to identifying every responsible party.
Serious Truck Accidents Can Leave Lasting Injuries
Because of the massive size difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, victims often suffer severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment.
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, burns, crush injuries, and permanent disabilities.
These injuries can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from their ability to work to their long-term financial security.
What Should You Do After an Interstate 20 Truck Accident?
Your first priority should always be your health. Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries don’t seem serious at first.
If you’re able, document the scene by taking photographs of the vehicles, roadway conditions, skid marks, and visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and avoid discussing fault with insurance adjusters before fully understanding your legal rights.
Preserving evidence early can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
Compensation May Be Available
If another party’s negligence caused the accident, Texas law may allow you to recover compensation for medical expenses, future healthcare costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation expenses, property damage, and other legally recognized damages.
Every case is different, making it important to evaluate the specific facts surrounding the collision.
Orange Law Helps Big Spring Truck Accident Victims
Truck accident cases require experience, detailed investigations, and a thorough understanding of both Texas law and federal trucking regulations.
At Orange Law, we work to uncover the facts, identify every potentially liable party, and pursue the full compensation our clients deserve. Whether your crash involved an oilfield service truck, a fuel tanker, a flatbed trailer, or a long-haul commercial carrier, we’re prepared to advocate for your rights.
Contact Orange Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident on Interstate 20 near Big Spring, don’t wait to explore your legal options.
Contact Orange Law today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are truck accidents common near Big Spring?
Big Spring sits along Interstate 20, a major freight corridor used by oilfield service companies, agricultural businesses, and commercial trucking fleets traveling across West Texas.
Who can be held responsible after a truck accident?
Depending on the circumstances, liability may include the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loading company, maintenance provider, equipment manufacturer, or another negligent party.
What damages can I recover after a truck accident?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future treatment, pain and suffering, rehabilitation expenses, and other losses recognized under Texas law.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
Most truck accident lawsuits in Texas must be filed within two years from the date of the crash, although certain exceptions may apply.