18-wheeler trucks weigh up to 80,000 lbs. when fully loaded. US Rt 285, once a minor highway serving farming communities between Pecos, Texas, and Carlsbad, New Mexico, is now the main artery used to carry supplies to and from the oil fields of the Permian Basin. US Rt 285 is now considered one of the most dangerous roads in the USA, with staggering numbers of truck and vehicle accidents occurring every year – and has gained a new name: “Death Highway.”
If you or a family member was injured or a loved one died in an accident with an 18-wheeler on US Rt 285, you need legal representation. Depending upon where the collision occurred, your lawyer must be a Texas personal injury lawyer or a New Mexico personal injury lawyer, depending upon where the crash occurred. At Sorey & Gilliland, LLP, our legal team is admitted to practice in both states. We offer a free case consultation, with no obligation, to discuss what occurred and how to move forward and seek justice and full compensation.
One of America’s Most Dangerous Highways: US Rt 285.
- The death rate is up 43 percent since 2012
- About 20,000 vehicles move through the region every day.
- Ector County reported more than 5,000 accidents
- Crashes in the Permian Basin are up 67 percent.
- The region served by the highway has 1.6 percent of the population but is the location of 12 percent of all traffic fatalities in Texas.
The Oil Industry: The Hidden Cost to the People of Texas and New Mexico
The boom in the oil and gas extraction business in the Permian Basin has brought great wealth to both Texas and New Mexico but has a terrible hidden cost. Innocent people who live in the area or are traveling through are seriously injured or killed due to the massive number of 18-wheelers moving through the area to serve the industry. When an accident with an 18-wheeler occurs, the driver and passengers in the passenger vehicle are the most likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Texas and New Mexico
An 18-wheeler truck, loaded with supplies, sand, or equipment, is difficult to control, even for a seasoned truck driver. The most common types of accidents leading to severe injuries or loss of life include:
These accidents are occurring at an alarming rate, injuring and killing innocent people who live and work in the Permian Basin area, both locals and oil field workers. If you or a loved one was the victim in one of the many 18-wheeler accidents occurring throughout Texas and New Mexico on US Rt. 285, we urge you to connect with us at Sorey & Hoover, LLP immediately. You need guidance, and whether we take on your case or not, we are available to discuss what happened in your case.
Truck Drivers: The Problem.
The large commercial trucks transporting oilfield supplies are not always properly maintained, creating a higher risk for others traveling on the road. The drivers are under pressure, often working fourteen hours straight, with little sleep. Beyond the apparent dangers of controlling a 40-ton vehicle, the oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin is hiring new drivers with minimal experience.
Young drivers who can make high wages are piloting trucks with which they have little experience. These young, inexperienced drivers take risks, driving a heavily loaded 18-wheeler while talking or texting on a smartphone, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, driving aggressively, and other dangerous driving conduct, and innocent people are paying the price.
Wrongful Death and 18-Wheeler Accidents on US Rt. 285
If you have lost a loved one in one of these terrible accidents, as a member of the close family, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Our legal team at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP is committed to assisting families who are living with this tragedy to seek justice and full compensation through a civil case filed against all liable parties.
Why You Need a Lawyer
After an 18-wheeler accident on US Rt. 285, a thorough investigation is initiated. It will involve local law enforcement as well as investigators from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board). A full evaluation of the accident site, the truck itself, along with its safety systems, and an assessment of the on-board “black box” recording speed and other data is part of the process. Several liable parties may be identified, including:
- Truck driver
- Truck manufacturer
- Truck leasing firm
- Trucking firm
- Parts manufacturer
- Oil or gas company
- Truck maintenance firm
- Cargo loading firm
Every liable party must be named when filing a claim or lawsuit. The full scope of the damages suffered by the victim must be valued, including financial losses of all types, along with pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and other non-economic losses. Your case must be evaluated accurately, which will require the assistance of medical and financial experts. An 18-wheeler accident case, when represented by our legal team at Sorey & Hoover, LLP, is in the hands of true legal professionals who will manage all aspects of the case and will pursue maximum compensation for damages.
Call us today.
Contact Sorey & Hoover, LLP, today for a free case consultation. We provide legal counsel for truck accident cases throughout Texas and New Mexico, all on a contingency fee basis – if we don’t win, no legal fees are due. Call (903) 230-5600 today.
