What Compensation Can You Receive After a Drunk Driving Accident in Brownsville?

Midland, Texas, serves as the hub of the Permian Basin, the world's largest oil center, creating thousands of good-paying jobs with an average annual salary of $80,000. This booming oil and gas industry attracts workers to oil fields, as well as the construction and support industries. Unfortunately, the long days of working in excess of 15-20 hours, along with a lifestyle that includes transitory living, give rise to an alarming increase in drunk driving accidents. In Texas in 2024, there were 1,096 accidents resulting from a DUI. This resulted in 1,409 deaths as a result of these accidents, representing 25% of all vehicular deaths. In Midland County, 874 accidents resulted in injury. Of these, there were 1,280 injuries and 24 deaths, most resulting from drunk driving and accidents on heavily traveled roads, such as U.S. 285 (nicknamed "Death Highway"). The rate of fatal crashes in the Permian, 14.7 per 1,000, is nearly double that of the state average due to intoxicated oil field truckers and commuters speeding on rural roads. Further, there were and continue to be crashes involving alcohol or stimulant use to stay awake, which leads to devastating consequences for vulnerable users of the road, including motorcyclists or pedestrians. At A2X Law, we have a national team with experience in personal injury and catastrophic injury cases, protecting Midland families and securing justice against drunk drivers or negligent companies. 


The Devastating Impact of Drunk Driving in Midland 

Drunk driving in Midland is a growing epidemic, intensified by the oil industry’s relentless demands. Fatigue from extended work hours can drive employees to consume alcohol or take stimulants, resulting in serious crashes. According to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) data, crashes involving impaired drivers have increased by 5% through 2023; crashes involving impaired drivers are more common on rural highways in Midland, specifically I-20 and State Highway 349. Twenty percent of the 897 commercial crashes that occurred in Midland-Odessa in 2024 involved impairment, and 14 people were killed. Because cars, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians who do not wear protective gear are more vulnerable to catastrophic injuries such as spine injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or even death in crashes caused by drunk driving. The medical costs associated with these types of injuries often exceed $500,000. At the same time, lost wages take a significant toll in a region where oil jobs are a primary source of family income. The emotional toll, grief, trauma, and disrupted lives further burden tight-knit Permian communities, where emergency response is often delayed by rural isolation and strained medical facilities. 


Common Scenarios and Causes of Drunk Driving Accidents 

The high-pressure atmosphere of the oilfield exacerbates avoidable behaviors that lead to drunk driving occurrences in Midland: 


  • Oilfield Truck Collisions: 20% of semi-truck accidents are caused by intoxicated truckers who are over Texas's 0.08 BAC limit (0.04 for commercial drivers), frequently rear-ending or sideswiping smaller cars on US 285 in the process. 
  • Late-Night Bar Rushes: Post-shift drinking at Midland’s bars fuels crashes during dawn/dusk oilfield commutes, with 30% of DUI fatalities occurring between midnight and 3 a.m. 
  • Speeding and Recklessness: Alcohol impairs reaction times, contributing to 45% of fatal crashes where drivers exceed speed limits on rural highways. 
  • Wrong-Way Driving: Drunk drivers trigger head-on collisions, a factor in 10% of 2024’s fatal crashes, especially on poorly lit Permian roads. 
  • Stimulant Misuse: Workers using amphetamines to stay alert mimic DUI effects, increasing erratic driving in 15% of oilfield-related incidents. 


These incidents frequently happen with service-type vehicles, and company negligence (whether it be not checking driver histories or having unrealistically demanding schedules) generates increased liability. 


Texas DUI Laws and Employer Accountability 

Texas enforces strict DUI laws to deter reckless driving: 

  • First Offense: Up to $2,000 fine, 180 days in jail, and 90-day to one-year license suspension for BAC 0.08+. 
  • Commercial Drivers: Stricter 0.04 BAC threshold; one-year CDL suspension for first offenses. 
  • Felony DUI: Serious injury or death elevates charges, with up to seven years in prison and $10,000 fines. 
  • Dram Shop Act: Bars or employers serving intoxicated individuals face liability for resulting crashes, critical in Midland’s nightlife-heavy oil culture. 


The Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act prevents companies from dodging liability through contracts, enabling claims against employers for negligent entrustment or vicarious liability when drivers are on duty. Under Texas’s modified comparative fault rule, victims recover damages if less than 51% at fault; otherwise, claims are barred. Proving intoxication, through breathalyzer results, police reports, bar receipts, or electronic logging device (ELD) data, bolsters cases, especially against oilfield firms. 


Compensation for Drunk Driving Accident Victims 

Victims can pursue comprehensive damages under Texas law: 

  • Economic Damages: Medical bills (many exceed $500,000 for a TBI or back injury), loss of income (the average loss for oil jobs is $80,000), and car repairs. 
  • Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, and the feelings of anxiety and depression. Texas has no cap on non-economic damages, which can reach millions in dire cases. 
  • Punitive Damages: Awarded for willful or gross negligence (repeated DUIs or highway contractors ignoring safety precautions). Punitive damages are meant to deter this behavior. 


Claims against oilfield companies leverage ELD data and OSHA citations (316 in 2024 for Permian safety lapses) to prove negligence, targeting deep-pocketed operators for maximum recovery. 


Steps After a Drunk Driving Crash in Midland 

  • Seek Immediate Medical Care: Visit an ER for injuries like fractures, internal bleeding, or TBI; medical records establish causation for claims. 
  • Report to Authorities: Call 911 and file a TxDOT report, noting signs of impairment (e.g., alcohol odor, slurred speech) to document DUI evidence. 
  • Document the Scene: Take photos of vehicles, the road, injuries, and skid marks, and get witness contact information to corroborate intoxication. 
  • Notify Insurers Cautiously: Inform your insurer and the at-fault driver, avoiding recorded statements that could inflate your fault percentage. 
  • Consult an Attorney: Within days, to secure BAC records, ELD data, and bar receipts, and file claims within Texas’s two-year statute of limitations. 


Safety Tips to Avoid Drunk Driving Crashes 

  • Drive Defensively: Watch for erratic trucks on U.S. 285, especially during post-shift hours when DUIs peak. 
  • Use Rideshares: Opt for Uber or Lyft after drinking; services are available in Midland to prevent impaired driving. 
  • Report Suspected DUIs: Alert Midland PD to swerving vehicles to curb reckless behavior. 
  • Wear Protective Gear: Helmets reduce the risk of motorcyclist fatalities by 37%, which is critical in high-impact crashes. 
  • Support TxDOT Campaigns: Back initiatives like “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” to promote road safety. 



A2X Law: Your Advocate for Justice 

At A2X Law, we stand with Midland victims of drunk driving accidents, leveraging police reports, ELD data, OSHA citations, and Dram Shop claims to hold negligent drivers and oilfield employers accountable. Our team will navigate the complex fault system in Texas to recover the maximum compensation possible for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering, ensuring that we deliver justice for accident victims on the dangerous roads of the Permian Basin. We fight to ensure the burden is not imposed on the accident victim because of someone else's reckless choice.