Fuel trucks are large, heavy vehicles that are designed to transport thousands of gallons of flammable liquids like airline fuels, liquified petroleum gas, chemical solutions, pesticides, and more. But upon impact with road barriers or collision with other vehicles, these trucks can become deadly weapons when traveling at high speeds on highways.
Collisions, rollovers, and crashes involving fuel trucks may be the most dangerous of all vehicle accidents. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the number of fuel truck accidents is excessive in comparison to other types of vehicles. Depending on the type of collision, an accident with a fuel truck may be accompanied by a fiery explosion, seriously injuring or killing drivers, passengers, nearby bystanders.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a deadly auto accident with a fuel truck, seeking legal counsel to explore a lawsuit against the trucking company, the insurance company, the driver, or other at-fault entities may be in your best interest. An Elgin fuel truck accident lawyer can help you determine legal options to try to win a financial settlement in a court of law for physical, emotional and mental damages, medical costs, loss of wages, and other expenses related to the accident.
Fuel Trucks
Fuel tank trucks come in different sizes and are designed to carry specific types of liquids and with specific service needs. Small fuel tank trucks usually carry a maximum liquid load of about 3,000 gallons. Large fuel trucks can carry up to about 11,000 gallons, depending on the type of liquid being transported, like industrial chemicals, concrete, milk, diesel, water, gasoline and more, explains Transcourt Tanker Leasing
Some fuel tank trucks can handle loads of different liquids at the same time, using separate compartments to carry liquids. These liquids all have various densities, and this can impact the tanker‘s maximum load capacity.
Dangers Involved with Fuel Truck Accidents
Because fuel trucks carry typically hazardous cargo loads, there are many different dangers associated with fuel tanker truck accidents rather than other types of commercial vehicles. For instance, if a fuel tanker truck collides with another vehicle or has some sort of rollover driving accident, these are the kinds of dangers that can be expected:
- Skidding into other cars – Maintaining the stability and balance of a truck loaded with fuel can be a difficult job when driving at 65 mph. The liquid can move from left to right in the tanker, causing the driver’s movements to become erratic. If a tanker rolls over from this imbalance, it can dangerously skid into other cars with a deadly force from the high speeds that it is traveling.
- Hazardous materials leaked – In accidents involving fuel trucks, protective hazardous materials teams are often called in immediately, as seen on 13 News Now. They work to secure the area, clean up the leaked chemicals, and minimize any kind of dangers to the environment that may ensue from the leaked materials. Moving quickly is crucial here for the cleanup, as the leaked chemicals can cause other accidents. Drivers may crash as they try to swerve around the leaked liquids. Toxic fumes and gases are another danger, if they are released into the air and cover an area.
- Fuel fires and/or explosions – When a fuel tank truck crashes, the chances become greater for a fire to erupt. This can turn deadly once the leaked chemicals erupt into flames from a collision. See recent examples of this below. Large fireballs can threaten nearby cars, passengers, buildings, and more. These accidents can cause major skin burns as well as other long-term injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Elgin, call (800) 794-0444
Accidents Involving Fuel Trucks
In April 2020, as seen on KXAN News, two people died when their car was hit in an intersection by a fuel tank truck in Austin, TX. The driver of the truck was unhurt, but the people died instantly in the crash.
Earlier in the year, a vehicle collision between a passenger car and fuel tank truck caused a 10-hour closure of an Atlanta area highway, as reported by WRCB TV. Police reports indicated that a Freightliner truck that was carrying a tanker with more than 8,500 pounds of fuel did not stop and slammed into the back of another vehicle.
If drivers of fuel tanker trucks are negligent and cause a terrible accident, victims in associated vehicles can suffer catastrophic injuries or even fatal deaths. People or businesses in the immediate area of this accident can suffer injuries from leaked chemicals that spark fires, or from exposure to these harmful chemicals.
After a collision with a fuel tank truck, you should quickly seek to retain the services of an Elgin fuel truck accident lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Our legal professionals understand the liability of fuel tank trucks on the roadways. We can meet with you to learn more about the particular accident you were in. We’ll find out what was involved and how we can file a lawsuit that will seek to claim compensatory awards on your behalf.
Elgin Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Injuries from a Fuel Truck Accident
Any kind of vehicle accident can result in life-threatening personal injuries to those involved. But especially in accidents involving fuel trucks, the stakes for injuries are much higher. Victims still may suffer injuries of broken vertebrae, traumatic brain injuries, cuts and lacerations, and even spinal injuries.
However, the likelihood of chemical burns is higher in fuel truck accidents, as is the possibility of illness resulting from exposure to radioactive materials. Victims may also suffer from flesh fire burns leading to scarring and possible disfigurement, chemical smoke inhalation leading to long-term respiratory issues, and crushed or broken bones from massive blunt trauma accidents.
Filing a Fuel Tanker Truck Accident Claim
Fuel truck drivers are held to federal safety guidelines and regulations. If the driver is found to have caused infractions or violations around these regulations, a car crash victim and passengers may be able to achieve a successful lawsuit against the trucking company, the insurer, the driver, and/or others involved.
Higher levels of liability may be inflicted upon the trucking company if dangerous chemicals or hazardous materials are involved in the accident. Additionally, fuel truck drivers need certain permits when operating fuel trucks, and if these are also in violation, then a lawsuit could include a case for liability as well.
An attorney who knows federal trucking guidelines and regulations, and how they may impact your case may be able to help fight for the awards you deserve after a fuel truck accident in Elgin.
If you or someone you know suffered injuries in a fuel truck accident, it’s time to consider contacting an Elgin fuel truck accident lawyer for a free consultation. Call the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444.
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