Our country relies on fuel, and thousands of fuel trucks transport oil and gas throughout our nation daily. When something goes wrong during the transit of fuel of any kind, the results can be catastrophic. Fuel trucks carry hazardous and toxic materials that cause severe injuries and losses when involved in an accident. If you suffered injuries related to an accident involving a fuel truck, learn how a Los Angeles fuel truck lawyer may help you with your legal rights. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation.
Injuries Resulting From Fuel Truck Accidents
While accidents with fuel trucks can happen for any reason, there are some types of accidents that only specifically happen when a truck that contains hazardous and toxic fuel is in an accident on the roadways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that fuel trucks have appropriate seals on the fuel storage areas. If the seals do not meet the rigorous standards, fuel trucks involved in an accident that carry over 81,000 pounds of fuel can ignite or explode, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Additionally, when the highly flammable materials the fuel truck carries spill onto the roadway from a collision, several severe injuries may also occur to victims involved in the accident. Some of the types of injuries that may result from a fuel truck accident include the following:
- Smoke inhalation (if the fuel truck catches fire)
- Severe burns (if the fuel begins to burn or explode following an accident)
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Aortic dissection
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Death
Fuel Truck Loading
There are very strict standards are regulations relating to how fuel must properly fill into a fuel truck. If fuel material is not loaded correctly or overloaded into a fuel truck, the liquid can shift so substantially during transit that the driver could easily lose control of their entire vehicle. Losing control of a fuel truck can cause rollovers or other types of serious accidents. Mechanics and drivers of fuel trucks should receive extensive training to ensure that they fill the fuel truck appropriately in order to avoid any tragic accidents.
For a free legal consultation with a Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
What to Do Following a Fuel Truck Accident
Fuel truck accidents are unlike typical passenger vehicle accidents, due to the fact that there are typically hazardous and flammable materials involved. In most cases, a specialized hazmat team will arrive at the scene to appropriately clean any spilled fuel or other hazardous materials. Additionally, several emergency vehicles, police cars, and fire equipment will completely surround the scene of the accident in an attempt to mitigate any additional damage or injuries. Make sure to follow these steps to ensure your health and safety, as well as preserve your legal right to file a claim for compensation.
Seek Medical Attention
Make sure to seek emergency medical attention if you suffer injuries in the accident. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, allow a medical professional from the ambulance to evaluate your injuries and make a determination whether or not you should be transported to the nearest emergency room.
If you do not go to an emergency room immediately following the accident, you should visit with your personal physician as soon as possible. Some injuries do not fully appear until hours or days after the accident. Even if it is weeks following the accident, you should seek medical evaluation to ensure that you did not suffer any internal injuries or harm from the accident. If you suffered any injuries from the fuel truck accident, you will need to preserve your legal claim to possible compensation by having evidence that you consulted with a medical professional and received a medical examination.
Additionally, if you receive evaluation and treatment from a medical professional but begin to develop additional or more severe symptoms at a later time, you should immediately return to the doctor to receive a reevaluation of your injuries.
Contact the Insurance Company
Contact the insurance company as soon as you feel well enough to do so. Remember to take care when visiting with an insurance company, as anything you say can possibly limit the amount of their settlement offer to you for your injuries. Additionally, never release all of your medical records or allow the insurance company to record your phone calls. Never cash any checks from an insurance company unless you agree to that check being the full settlement amount in your case.
Documents and Records
No matter when you were in the accident, any time is a good time to start keeping a detailed accounting of all of your medical appointments, medical bills, surgeries, physical therapy appointments, loss of wages, pay stubs, and a detailed diary of your pain and suffering along with daily activities you are no longer able to do due to your injuries. As you spend the days and weeks after your accident, you may find that there are certain activities that you are no longer able to do, such as lift your children or walk up the stairs. Make notes of any challenges you have as a result of your injuries from your trucking accident. Taking the time to write everything down and keep everything in one place will help you if you make the decision to file a legal claim at a later time.
Los Angeles Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Consider a Los Angeles Fuel Truck Lawyer
If you suffered injuries in a fuel truck accident, you are likely facing pain and suffering, serious injuries, loss of work, property damage, and may feel unsure how to start the process of a personal injury case. Contact our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation and how a Los Angeles fuel truck lawyer can help you with receiving possible compensation for your injuries and losses.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form