Regional research report · Updated September 11, 2026
2026 Permian Basin Oilfield & Commercial-Truck Crash Data Report
An original comparison of 2024 and 2025 TxDOT commercial-motor-vehicle crash data across 13 West Texas counties connected to the Permian Basin.
The study area includes Andrews, Crane, Ector, Glasscock, Howard, Loving, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Reeves, Upton, Ward and Winkler counties. It is an editorial study area, not an official TxDOT regional boundary.
Research status
Source tables rechecked October 1, 2026
This regional brief is calculated from the same TxDOT source tables used in TSC's statewide research. Regional groupings are editorial study areas unless expressly identified otherwise; raw crash counts are not population-, traffic-, or vehicle-miles-traveled-adjusted risk rates.
Citable regional findings
Suggested citation
Texas Settlement Calculator, “2026 Permian Basin Oilfield & Commercial-Truck Crash Data Report,” analysis of TxDOT 2024 and 2025 CMV county crash tables.
1,772
2025 CMV-involved crashes
-10
change from 2024 (-0.6%)
39
2025 fatalities
104
2025 suspected serious injuries
Key findings
What the 13-county comparison shows
Regional crash counts were nearly level
The study area recorded 1,772 CMV-involved crashes in 2025, ten fewer than the 1,782 recorded in 2024 — a decline of approximately 0.6%.
Midland had the largest raw county total
Midland County recorded 536 CMV-involved crashes in 2025. Ector County followed with 379. These are raw counts and are not adjusted for population, traffic volume or commercial-vehicle mileage.
Fatalities declined while serious injuries increased
Across the study area, fatalities declined from 56 in 2024 to 39 in 2025. Suspected serious injuries increased from 96 to 104. Annual changes do not by themselves establish a trend or explain why outcomes changed.
County changes moved in different directions
Andrews and Midland counties each recorded 29 more CMV crashes in 2025. Winkler recorded 33 fewer and Reeves recorded 30 fewer. Small county totals can produce large percentage changes.
2025 commercial-vehicle crashes by county
Bars compare raw reported CMV-involved crash counts within this study area.
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County-level data
2025 counties are ordered by total CMV-involved crashes.
| County | 2024 crashes | 2025 crashes | Change | Fatal crashes | Fatalities | Serious-injury crashes | Serious injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | 507 | 536 | +29 (+5.7%) | 11 | 11 | 15 | 19 |
| Ector | 389 | 379 | -10 (-2.6%) | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| Reeves | 197 | 167 | -30 (-15.2%) | 3 | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| Martin | 123 | 118 | -5 (-4.1%) | 4 | 4 | 12 | 12 |
| Howard | 103 | 104 | +1 (+1.0%) | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Ward | 93 | 94 | +1 (+1.1%) | 2 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| Andrews | 62 | 91 | +29 (+46.8%) | 1 | 1 | 12 | 13 |
| Pecos | 70 | 82 | +12 (+17.1%) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Winkler | 101 | 68 | -33 (-32.7%) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Glasscock | 23 | 39 | +16 (+69.6%) | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Upton | 35 | 36 | +1 (+2.9%) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Loving | 44 | 32 | -12 (-27.3%) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Crane | 35 | 26 | -9 (-25.7%) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 13-county total | 1,782 | 1,772 | −10 (−0.6%) | 38 | 39 | 86 | 104 |
Oilfield and freight-road context
The study counties are connected by major regional routes including I-20, US 285, US 385, SH 191, SH 302, SH 349 and FM 1788, along with county and lease roads used by passenger vehicles and commercial traffic. The county totals in this report do not identify the roadway, vehicle purpose, cargo, employer or cause of any individual crash. A CMV-involved crash is not necessarily an 18-wheeler or oilfield crash.
Preserve vehicle and driver evidence
Electronic logging-device data, event-data-recorder information, dash-camera video, inspection records and dispatch communications may be relevant after a commercial crash.
Identify every potentially responsible party
Depending on the facts, evidence may involve a driver, motor carrier, contractor, vehicle owner, maintenance provider, cargo company or another entity.
Separate public data from claim evidence
Regional statistics provide context. They cannot establish fault, damages, insurance coverage or the value of an individual injury claim.
Quotable findings
For reporters and researchers
“A defined 13-county Permian Basin study area recorded 1,772 commercial-motor-vehicle crashes in 2025, approximately 0.6% fewer than in 2024.”
“Fatalities in CMV-involved crashes across the study area declined from 56 in 2024 to 39 in 2025, while suspected serious injuries increased from 96 to 104.”
Attribution: Texas Settlement Calculator analysis of TxDOT 2024 and 2025 county CMV tables. Quotations may be reproduced with attribution and a link to this report.
Methodology and limitations
Texas Settlement Calculator transcribed the county values from TxDOT’s 2024 and 2025 Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Involved Crashes and Injuries by County reports. Totals and percentage changes were calculated from those county rows.
The 13 counties are a transparent editorial study area selected to examine the Midland–Odessa core and surrounding West Texas counties associated with Permian Basin travel. This boundary is not an official TxDOT region and is narrower than some governmental, geological or economic definitions of the Permian Basin.
These are raw reported crash counts, not rates. They are not adjusted for population, vehicle miles traveled, commercial-vehicle exposure, oil production, enforcement, reporting practices or roadway mileage. County totals should not be used to label one county or road as more dangerous than another.
TxDOT states that the 2025 report reflects reportable Texas Peace Officer crash reports received and processed as of April 7, 2026. A crash counted as CMV-involved is not necessarily an oilfield crash, and the tables do not establish causation or legal fault.
Independent-publication disclosure: This report is not affiliated with, sponsored by, approved by or endorsed by TxDOT or any other governmental agency. TxDOT is identified solely as the source of the underlying public data.
Permian Basin resources
Permian Basin oilfield truck calculator
Estimate a preliminary range using commercial-vehicle claim factors.
View resourceMidland oilfield truck accident guide
Review Midland County data, local road context and evidence categories.
View resourceOdessa oilfield truck accident guide
Review Ector County data, Odessa-area roads and commercial-vehicle records.
View resourcePermian Basin commercial-truck guide
Review regional corridors, evidence and Texas claim considerations.
View resourceCommercial-truck evidence checklist
Organize time-sensitive trucking and company records.
View resource2026 Texas 18-Wheeler Crash Data Report
Compare statewide totals, five-year trends and county rankings.
View resourcePress, data questions and corrections
Reporters and researchers may request source-table details at contact@texassettlementcalculator.com. Submit corrections with the affected URL and supporting source to privacy@texassettlementcalculator.com.
Originally published September 7, 2026 · Expanded September 11, 2026 · 2025 TxDOT data processed as of April 7, 2026
Sources
- TxDOT crash data and crash records (CRIS)
State crash data and the crash-report / records request process relied on by these pages.
- FMCSA minimum insurance requirements — 49 CFR Part 387
Federal minimum financial-responsibility rules for commercial motor carriers.
This tool produces a preliminary, non-binding estimate based on the information you provide and general personal-injury valuation methods. It is not legal advice, not a guarantee of any outcome, and not a substitute for review by a licensed attorney. Actual settlements and verdicts vary widely based on evidence, jurisdiction, insurance coverage, and many other factors. Texas Settlement Calculator is not a law firm and does not practice law; use of this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship.