The highways running through Central Texas see a constant stream of massive trucks carrying industrial equipment to and from West Texas oil fields. These oversized loads—often weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds, and some as long as a football field—are a common sight on Interstate 35, Highway 6, Highway 84, Highway 36, and other major Central Texas corridors. But when something goes wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic.
The Hidden Dangers on Our Roads
Every day, families traveling Texas highways share the road with trucks hauling enormous pieces of industrial equipment. These loads can include:
- Distillation columns for refineries
- Pipeline sections
- Heavy machinery components
- Drilling equipment
- Processing vessels
When properly secured and transported, these loads generally move safely to their destinations. However, when safety protocols are inadequate, the results can be devastating. A 350,000-pound piece of equipment that comes loose doesn’t just cause a fender-bender—it can instantly transform a routine drive into an unthinkable tragedy.
Why Waco is at the Center of It All
Our location in Waco places us at the heart of Texas’ energy corridor. Virtually every oversized load traveling from the Houston petrochemical complex to the Permian Basin oil fields passes through Waco, Bryan/College Station, or Temple. This creates unique risks for Central Texas families, but it also means our legal team has developed unparalleled experience with these types of cases.
We understand the industry players, the regulations that govern oversized load transportation, and the complex web of responsibility that determines liability when accidents occur.
The Complex Web of Responsibility
Oversized load accidents often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility:
- Trucking/Transportation Companies: The trucking companies that haul these loads have strict obligations to properly secure cargo and follow safety protocols.
- Equipment Manufacturers: The companies that build the securing systems, chains, and tie-downs used to keep loads in place.
- Shipping and Escort Companies: The entities responsible for planning routes and obtaining proper permits, and making sure the loads are properly escorted to alert other drivers about the oversized loads.
- Inspection Services: Companies responsible for ensuring loads are properly secured before transport.
- Government Entities: Agencies responsible for route approval and safety oversight.
Determining which parties bear responsibility requires a thorough investigation and deep understanding of both transportation law and industry standards.
Why Experience Matters in These Cases
Oversized load accident cases are fundamentally different from typical car accident claims. They require:
- Industry Knowledge: Understanding how these loads should be secured, what safety protocols should be followed, and where failures typically occur.
- Technical Expertise: Working with engineers and industry experts who can analyze what went wrong and why.
- Resource Commitment: These cases often require extensive investigation, expert testimony, and the financial resources to take on well-funded corporate defendants.
- Proven Track Record: Insurance companies and corporate defendants take cases more seriously when they know they’re facing attorneys with a history of successful results.
What Makes Our Approach Different
When we take on a case, we commit the full resources of our firm to uncovering the truth. This means:
- Immediate Investigation: We move quickly to preserve evidence, secure truck maintenance records, and document the scene before crucial evidence disappears.
- Expert Team Assembly: We work with the nation’s leading experts in trucking safety, engineering, and accident reconstruction.
- No Stone Unturned: We investigate every aspect of the accident, from driver training and equipment maintenance to corporate safety policies and regulatory compliance.
- Fighting for Full Compensation: We understand the true cost of these tragedies—not just immediate medical expenses, but the lifetime impact on families who have lost loved ones or suffered catastrophic injuries.
Your Rights After a Tragedy
If you or your family has been affected by an oversized load accident, you have rights that need to be protected immediately:
- The right to a thorough investigation of what went wrong
- The right to hold all responsible parties accountable
- The right to full compensation for your losses
- The right to legal representation that will fight tirelessly on your behalf
Time is Critical
Texas law imposes strict deadlines for filing claims, and evidence in trucking accidents can disappear quickly. Maintenance records get routinely destroyed, witnesses’ memories fade, and corporate defendants and their insurance companies begin building their defense strategies immediately.
When You Need Advocates Who Understand
The families we represent are going through the worst time of their lives. They need more than legal representation—they need advocates who understand the weight of responsibility that comes with these cases and who have the experience and resources to take on powerful corporate interests.
We’ve built our practice on the principle that every family deserves justice, regardless of how powerful the defendants may be. When trucking companies and their insurers see our name on a case, they know they’re facing attorneys who have the expertise and determination to uncover the truth.
If your family has been affected by an accident involving an oversized load or any commercial vehicle, don’t face this fight alone. The road to justice in these cases is complex, but with the right legal team, accountability is possible.
Harrison Davis Morrison Jones. For the Real Fight of your Life.
The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances.
