Fuel trucks are inherently dangerous and include any kind of truck used to carry liquefied loads on the highways throughout the United States. These types of trucks are actually so dangerous that they are the only types of trucks that have federal regulations—no matter their weight or size—according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These types of trucks often carry toxic or hazardous liquids, such as liquid fuel, radioactive liquids, gasoline, ethanol, household petroleum-based products, industrial chemicals, or agricultural pesticides. Along with being large and carrying substantial liquid weight, these fuel trucks often carry easily combustible materials, which can cause catastrophic damage when an accident occurs.
If you suffered injuries in an accident with a fuel truck, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at
(800) 794-0444 to help you understand how an Evanston fuel truck accident lawyer may help you take legal action.
Dangers Involved with Fuel Truck Accidents
Fuel trucks are different than any kind of other commercial trucks due to their unique and typically hazardous cargo loads. Some of the dangers involved with fuel truck accidents can include the following:
- Fires when the fuel or hazardous material ignites
- Explosions when the fuel or toxic material catches on fire
- Sloshing (When the liquid inside the fuel truck moves from side to side making the entire truck unstable enough to tip over onto the roadway)
- Leaks or spills of hazardous material onto the roadway
- Chemical burns to other motorists and pedestrians when the toxic or hazardous materials spill or leak out of the fuel truck
Rollovers can happen with any type of commercial truck; however, when a rollover occurs with a fuel truck, all of the above dangers become possible.
Types of Injuries Suffered in a Fuel Truck Accident
Every accident is different; however, if a fuel truck causes an accident with other motorists or pedestrians, the victims may face substantial injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Burns (both chemical burns and burns from explosions or fires)
- Smoke inhalation injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Internal organ damage, including aortic dissection, internal bleeding, amputation, broken and fractured bones
If your loved one died due to a fuel truck accident, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf to assist your family in paying for unexpected costs, such as funeral bills, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering of your loved one, loss of consortium, and more.
For a free legal consultation with a Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Evanston, call (800) 794-0444
Steps to Take Following a Fuel Truck Accident
If you are ever involved in a fuel truck accident, the accident scene may present additional dangers than those following a typical passenger vehicle accident. Due to the fact that liquified hazardous or toxic materials may spill or leak onto the roadways, other motorists or pedestrians may suffer exposure to these materials. A hazmat team may show up to attempt to clean any spilled fuel materials as quickly as possible. Additionally, there may be fire or explosions due to the hazardous materials igniting. If you are a victim involved in a fuel truck accident you may follow these steps:
- While you should always seek immediate medical attention, or go, or be transported, to the emergency room if necessary, it is just as important to seek medical attention if you developed any additional symptoms following the accident, such as aortic dissection or traumatic brain injuries. These symptoms may signal a much worse medical condition associated with your accident injuries.
- Contact the insurance company, however, do not admit to fault or provide a full medical history. When speaking with insurance companies, anything you say may give the negligent party reason to believe you shared fault.
- Make sure to keep all documentation regarding your fuel truck accident in one place, including the official police report, medical bills, documentation regarding any diagnostic testing, surgeries, medical reports, physical or mental therapy bills, lost wages (including bonuses), and pay stubs. A diary of your pain and suffering may even include descriptions of your limitations due to your injuries.
You have the right to choose an attorney to help you navigate the legal process. Some victims find that this allows them the peace of mind to focus on their physical recovery after an accident.
Evanston Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Statutes of Limitation
If you choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit, you do not have an unlimited amount of time to file your case. Statutes of limitations refer to legal deadlines by which you must file a lawsuit. They typically begin on the date of the accident itself. Some injury symptoms do not present themselves immediately after an accident, and you should not have to suffer additional losses later down the road if you develop an ongoing medical condition. Consider calling a lawyer before you lose your chance to take legal action.
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Consider an Evanston Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were in an accident involving a fuel truck, you may have serious injuries that resulted in astronomical medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation to learn more about how an Evanston fuel truck accident lawyer may help you with your next steps.
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