Odessa Restricted Roads and Truck Accidents

Odessa has a city ordinance that prohibits commercial truck traffic within the city limits.

In Odessa, trucks that weigh more than 10,000 pounds, are a single unit vehicle with tandem axles, or are truck-tractor/semitrailer combinations are required to travel on either Texas State Highway Loop 338 or Interstate 20. Truck drivers who have destinations off the designated truck routes are required to use the shortest and most direct route to arrive at their destinations.

Midland was looking to enact ordinances similar to those in Odessa that prevent large trucks operating in nearby oil fields from using city streets, the Midland Reporter-Telegram recently reported.

Whether they are traveling on designated truck routes or on other streets and roads around Odessa, oil trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles pose a significant threat to the safety of everyone else on the road.

If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a commercial truck accident in the greater Odessa area, contact an attorney who has experience handling truck accident cases and who has secured compensation for clients like you. Tate Law Offices, P.C., has a 99% success rate that includes more than 3,000 cases won. We have the ability and resources to take on trucking companies large or small on your behalf.

Our firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis, so you will not have to worry about paying us anything unless and until we win your case. We can provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call us or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

Odessa Truck Road Restrictions

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) notes that the Odessa District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) ordered specific restrictions applicable to motor carriers in the Odessa area.

For all counties and all highways in the Odessa district, a truck more than 17 feet high must contact the Odessa District Traffic and Signals Section a minimum of 48 hours prior to travel. Only TxDOT-approved signal contractors are authorized to disconnect, raise, and reconnect any illumination poles and overhead mast arms. Any property damaged by a carrier must be repaired at the carrier’s cost.

In Andrews County, trucks are required to use the Andrews truck route jointly required by the Odessa District and the City of Andrews, consisting of Andrews Loop 1910. This is a permanent restriction.

In Crane County, trucks must use the Crane truck route jointly required by the Odessa District and the City of Crane. This truck route consists of:

• Texas State Highway 329 between U.S. Route 385 to Southeast County Road.
• The northeast side consists of Southeast County Road and Northeast County Road.
• The northwest side consists of Northwest County Road and Southwest County Road. This is also a permanent restriction.

In Ector County, there are no permits between Farm to Market 1882 and 8th Street in Odessa, and there are no permits between Texas State Highway Spur 450 and Business Interstate Highway 20 in Odessa. There is also a maximum height restriction of 18 feet, 6 inches at the junction of BI 20 and US 385, and there are not permits between Texas State Highway 191 and BI 20. All of these restrictions are permanent restrictions.

Ector County imposes a 12-foot maximum width for trucks traveling between I-20 and 3rd Street in Odessa. However, this restriction is not listed as permanent. In Winkler County, trucks are required to use the designated Kermit truck route jointly required by the Odessa District and the City of Kermit. The route consists of:

• County Road 313 on the north and east side
• Texas State Highway 302 on the south side
• Texas State Highway 18 the west side (This is a permanent restriction.)

Why There Are Route Restrictions for Trucks

Cities in Texas are concerned about heavy vehicle traffic because of the effect these large loads have on local roads. Restricted routes are needed to force trucks to use the roads that are best-suited for them.

Certain truck restrictions are also in the name of increased public safety, as it is not ideal for commercial tractor-trailers to be traveling through some downtown locations.

The nature of the loads being carried by certain commercial vehicles can also involve material that could be especially damaging to a local environment in the event of an accident causing a spill.

Odessa Off-Route Truck Accidents

Large trucks can be involved in a wide variety of accidents. The nature of crashes will often depend on a number of different factors. Any commercial truck accident could be more complex than a standard car accident because it may be possible that multiple parties could be liable for damages.

Some of the most common kinds of truck accidents generally include:

When a truck causes an accident on a highway that it was prohibited from using, the driver and the trucking company may face increased penalties for violating local ordinances.

How Can Tate Law Offices, P.C., Help Me after a Truck Accident in Odessa?

People who have been injured in commercial truck accidents may be unaware that the truck that hit them might have been prohibited from being on the road where the crash occurred. The attorneys of Tate Law Offices, P.C., are prepared to conduct a thorough investigation and determine if the truck driver and the company that employed them violated these restrictions and caused you unnecessary harm. If they did, we’ll aggressively seek the full and fair compensation that you are owed.

Our record of success includes multiple six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements, including $6.5 million recovered for a brain and pelvis injury victim in a truck accident.

Call us or contact us online today to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We are ready to review your situation and advise you about your rights and best legal options.