Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Crashes in Midland: Legal Options 

Midland, Texas, is the active epicenter of the Permian Basin, driving economic growth while contributing to chaos on the roads. Motorcyclists face dangers as the highways become congested with oilfield trucks. The number of hit-and-run accidents is concerning, particularly for motorcycle riders. Texas had 2,132 motorcycle accidents in 2024, resulting in 524 fatalities, a 5% increase over 2023. Injuries from 874 collisions totaling 1,280 injuries and 24 fatalities were reported in Midland County. Motorcyclists are at serious risk due to the high speeds of the vehicles and the abundance of trucks. The Permian has some of the most congested traffic from trucks, especially on U.S. 285 ( "Death Highway") and I-20. Hit-and-runs are on the rise, especially with fleeing vehicles from the oilfield. One very alarming case is from September 19, 2025, when a black SUV hit a motorcyclist at the intersection of N. Big Spring Street and N. Loop 250, then fled. At A2X Law, our nationwide team specializes in catastrophic injury and personal injury cases, empowering Midland riders to pursue justice through uninsured motorist (UM) claims and lawsuits against oilfield firms when drivers are unaccounted for. 


The Rising Threat

The Permian Basin’s frenetic pace, over 10,000 daily oilfield trucks hauling sand, water, and crude, creates a hazardous environment for motorcyclists. Narrow, pothole-laden roads, such as U.S. 285 and State Highway 349, combined with dust storms and fatigued drivers working 15-to 20-hour shifts, contribute to collisions. One out of ten oilfield truck collisions in Midland-Odessa's 897 commercial vehicle crashes in 2024 resulted in 14 fatalities. According to first-quarter 2025 data, hit-and-runs in isolated regions with few witnesses are mostly to blame for the 8% increase in Permian crash fatalities to 54. Oilfield service vehicles, pressured to meet tight fracking schedules, often flee to avoid DWI charges, employer scrutiny, or liability, leaving riders with catastrophic injuries. 


Motorcyclists face heightened vulnerability due to minimal protection, with crashes causing fractures, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Medical expenses for these injuries often exceed $500,000, and lost earnings can be particularly substantial in an area where oil-related jobs typically pay around $80,000 annually. In Texas, hit-and-run accidents are categorized as misdemeanors (resulting in up to one year in jail) or felonies (resulting in up to 10 years in prison for aggravated injury). However, enforcing the law is challenging in the vast expanse of the Permian, where law enforcement is already overstretched. Legal options, though, provide a meaningful way to obtain recovery even if the at-fault driver is not located. 


Uninsured Motorist Claims: A Lifeline for Hit-and-Run Victims 

When the hit-and-run driver leaves the scene of the accident, there is a way to find relief in Texas through the state's uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Although not mandated for all drivers, UM coverage is generally optional in most policies. If a rider has this coverage, the UM claim treats the hit-and-run accident as if the driver were uninsured and provides coverage for damages subject to policy limits, usually starting around $30,000 for bodily injury damages. Some things to keep in mind: 


  • Proof of Contact: Texas requires evidence of physical contact (e.g., paint transfer, debris, or bike damage) for UM hit-and-run claims. In Midland’s dusty, high-traffic conditions, dashcams, surveillance footage from nearby oil facilities, or witness accounts are crucial to establishing this. 
  • Stacking Coverage: Riders with multiple insured vehicles can stack UM limits for higher payouts, vital for catastrophic injuries where $30,000 falls short of $500,000+ medical costs. 
  • Claim Deadlines: Notify your insurer within 30 days, submitting police reports, medical records, and photos. Insurers may dispute “phantom vehicle” claims, making legal representation essential to counter denials. 


UM coverage can include personal injury protection (PIP), which is optional, covering medical expenses and partial wages regardless of fault. Nonetheless, policy limits frequently do not include long-term rehabilitation, particularly in Midland, where hospitals are strained and recovery is delayed, prompting riders to seek other legal options. 

 

Holding Oilfield Firms Accountable: Beyond the Fleeing Driver 

When the hit-and-run driver is an oilfield worker, victims can pursue the oilfield companies implicated in the incident, holding those companies accountable under theories such as vicarious liability or negligent entrustment, while asserting the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act, which prohibits liability-shifting contracts. The claims focus on the driver's employer's negligence as related to: 


  • Respondeat Superior: If the driver was on-duty, hauling for a fracking operation, the employer is liable for damages, including medical bills, full lost wages, and pain and suffering. Electronic logging device (ELD) data or company manifests can prove job-related driving. 
  • Negligent Entrustment: Companies face liability if they knowingly employ reckless drivers with histories of DWIs or traffic violations, a common occurrence in Midland’s high-pressure labor market. 
  • Gross Negligence: Failing to adhere to safety protocols, such as permitting fatigued drivers to operate, can result in punitive damages, with multimillion-dollar awards possible in severe cases. 


In 2024, Permian truck crashes surged, with hit-and-runs tied to service vehicles evading accountability. Investigations using TxDOT crash reports, company records, or OSHA citations (316 in 2024 for Permian safety lapses) often uncover fleet involvement, strengthening claims against deep-pocketed operators. 


Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Crash 

  1. Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Care: Move to a safe spot, call 911, and seek immediate treatment for injuries like fractures or TBI, even if symptoms seem minor, to establish a medical record. 
  2. Document the Scene: Photograph your bike, road conditions, debris, and injuries. Note any vehicle details (color, make, partial plates) and collect witness contact information. 
  3. File a Police Report: File a police report with Midland that reports the details of the hit-and-run to satisfy the requirements of the UM claim and prompt their investigation. 
  4. Notify Your Insurer: Contact your insurance provider within 30 days for a UM claim, providing evidence of contact and avoiding premature statements that could harm your case. 
  5. Consult an Attorney: Within days, engage legal counsel to investigate oilfield connections, secure ELD data, and file claims within Texas’s two-year statute of limitations. 


Compensation and Challenges in Hit-and-Run Cases 

Victims can recover economic damages (medical costs, lost wages averaging $80,000/year in oil jobs) and non-economic damages (pain, emotional distress), which are uncapped in Texas. UM claims cover up to policy limits, but pursuing oilfield firms can yield higher awards, with settlements often exceeding $1 million for Permian crashes. The Texas 51% rule, which prohibits reimbursement if the victim contributed more than 50% to the collision, makes it difficult to prove any physical contact for UM claims and to deal with insurance companies that try to assign blame to the rider. To get past the challenges mentioned above, dashcam footage, witness accounts, and professional analysis are essential resources. 


Safety Tips for Midland Motorcyclists 

  • Equip Dashcams: Record potential hit-and-run vehicles for evidence, especially on truck-heavy U.S. 285. 
  • Enhance Visibility: Use reflective gear and bright lights to stand out in dust storms or dawn/dusk oilfield rushes. 
  • Avoid Peak Traffic: Steer clear of high-traffic hours when oil trucks are most prevalent on the roads. 
  • Carry Robust UM Coverage: Ensure policies include high-limit UM/UIM to cover catastrophic injuries. 
  • Report Suspicious Vehicles: Alert Midland PD to reckless oilfield trucks to prevent future incidents. 


A2X Law: Your Partner in Hit-and-Run Recovery 

At A2X Law, our lawyers represent Midland bikers who hit-and-run drivers have harmed, and we also manage UM claims and lawsuits for oilfield companies. Our team utilizes crash reports, ELD data, OSHA citations, and forensic evidence to hold fleeing drivers and negligent companies accountable, securing maximum available compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In the Permian’s high-stakes environment, we ensure a driver’s escape doesn’t derail your recovery.