Large fuel trucks are on Illinois’ roads every day, transporting fuel to gas stations. Since fuel can move and slosh around in the tank part of the truck, potentially causing instabilities, a fuel truck driver has to be specially trained and experienced in dealing with this type of cargo and vehicle.
Accidents with a fuel truck can be particularly devastating for all involved, including car drivers and passengers. Any accident with a large truck can have devastating consequences, and a fuel truck can hold thousands of gallons of fuel which makes it extremely heavy and difficult to maneuver. Spilling of fuel in an accident has the potential to cause catastrophic and deadly injuries from fires and explosions.
If you have been in an accident with a fuel truck and suffered injuries and other damages, consulting with a Berwyn fuel truck accident lawyer can help you get clarity about your legal options. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation: (800) 794-0444.
Fuel Truck Accident Negligence
Determining who is at fault for a car accident can be challenging at the best of times, but when it involves a fuel truck, determining fault can get extremely complicated. Naturally, the first suspicion will fall on the driver who was in control of the fuel truck at the time.
Drivers of fuel trucks must have a certain amount of driving experience and pass specific exams in order to obtain the necessary endorsements on their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) qualifying them to drive fuel trucks. They also need special technical skills to make sure that they can safely maneuver and handle the fuel truck.
Yet, despite these regulations and restrictions, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) determined that most accidents with trucks, almost 90 percent, occur due to driver error of some sort. Driver-caused accidents happened due to several reasons. For example, a driver could be physically incapacitated, either by falling asleep at the wheel, a medical event, or another reason. Other reasons for driver-related accidents include speeding, driver distraction, and poor control of the vehicle. Problems with the vehicle itself, particularly the brakes or tires, was also mentioned as a significant factor in causing accidents with trucks.
Fuel truck accidents are rarely straightforward. Essentially, a truck company has the overall responsibility for drivers and vehicles. This means that a company needs to hire drivers with the right qualifications and training and conduct background checks on new hires. A truck company could be held liable for an accident for a number of reasons such as:
- Negligent hiring
- Inadequate training of drivers
- Service hour violations
- Incorrect loading of the tanker
- Neglect of servicing and repair of vehicles
In some cases, neither the driver nor the truck company is responsible for an accident, but rather a third-party, such as the truck manufacturer or the company servicing the vehicles.
Establishing negligence and liability in an accident with a fuel truck can, therefore, require a great deal of research, such as the scouring of service records, analyzing traffic camera footage, as well as a multitude of other information-finding tasks.
All this can seem overwhelming. Enlisting the help of a Berwyn fuel truck accident lawyer could prove invaluable. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm we can help determine who is the at-fault party and hold them accountable in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Call us today to discuss your case with a member of our team.
Compensation for Fuel Truck Accident Victims
If you have suffered from injuries in an accident with a fuel truck, you most likely have to contend with mounting medical bills and lost wages, that may far exceed any insurance payouts.
Accidents with a fuel truck have the potential to cause horrendous injuries that can require hospitalization, rehabilitation costs, and the need for medical devices. You might be left with costs for future medical treatments and supportive care for years to come.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you receive compensation for your costs and damages. Some of the compensation and awards you might receive can include:
- Medical costs
- Costs for any medical devices
- Transportation expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost income and potential earning capacity
- Repair or replacement of your vehicle
- Mental suffering
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of a limb
- Permanent disability
Potentially, you could also receive additional punitive damages. A defendant may have to pay punitive damages in cases where their conduct was not only negligent but particularly reckless and without consideration for other people’s lives.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident with a fuel truck, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit and could potentially receive compensation for loss of companionship, loss of future earning capacity, funeral expenses, and other awards. Contact a Berwyn fuel truck accident lawyer if you would like to find out more about possible compensation in your accident case.
For a free legal consultation with a Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Berwyn, call (800) 794-0444
Get Help From a Berwyn Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer Today
We understand how devastating accidents with a fuel truck can be for your physical health, mental health, and finances. Trying to heal from injuries or grieving for a loved one, and at the same time having to battle with insurance companies, can be overwhelming and frustrating.
We can help fight for your rights while you are free to concentrate on healing from this experience. Establishing negligence in a fuel truck accident can be challenging and time-consuming, potentially demanding many hours of research. We do not shy away from tough and complicated cases and may be able to help you receive compensation.
Contacting us as soon as possible after an accident will give you and us plenty of time to prepare a case and stay within any time limits as set by the Illinois statute of limitations.
We can offer you a free consultation to advise you on your legal options and help you decide on your next best action. We know that money can be tight after an accident and we do not charge any attorney’s fees upfront. We get paid from any settlement we secure on your behalf.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for your free, no-risk consultation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form