If you suffered injuries related to a fuel truck accident, you likely have astronomical medical bills, are unable to return to work, and feel overwhelmed. Contact a member of our Orland Park fuel truck accident team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by calling (800) 794-0444 to help you receive a fair settlement for your injuries.
Fuel Truck Accidents
A fuel truck is any tank truck, gas truck, or other truck designed to carry liquefied loads on the roadways. The United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates fuel trucks regardless of size and weight, while regulations can differ for other types of motor carriers based on these factors.
Often these trucks carry hazardous or toxic chemicals like liquid fuel, ethanol, household petroleum-based products, industrial chemicals, agricultural pesticides, radioactive materials, or gasoline. The sheer size and weight of these fuel trucks, along with the dangerous material they carry, can lead to a catastrophic and deadly accident.
Many of the loads carried in fuel trucks are flammable, which may catch on fire or explode, increasing the risk of serious injuries or deaths for other motorists and passengers on the highway or roadway. Additionally, some fuel trucks contain pressurized tanks, which can also increase the risk of explosion, fire, and serious damage. When a fuel truck is in an accident and spills its hazardous materials (HAZMAT), HAZMAT teams are typically involved with the cleanup of the site. The following are types of fuel truck accidents that can cause catastrophic damages and injuries.
Fires
Since a fuel truck often carries flammable materials, the likelihood of a fire or explosion greatly increases when a fuel truck accident occurs. Victims in fuel truck accidents can suffer horrific burns that lead to permanent disfigurement, permanent paralysis, disability, or even death.
Explosions
As previously indicated, with fuel trucks carrying explosive and flammable materials, the consequences of an accident involving one of these fuel trucks can include life-threatening burns or death.
Sloshing
Fuel tanks can suffer from sloshing if their tanks are carrying loads of three-quarters or less. The liquid inside the fuel truck will move around in such a way that the weight of the fuel truck will shift and can result in a fuel truck driver losing control of the fuel truck and colliding with other vehicles.
Leaks and Spills
If there is an accident with a fuel truck, a danger exists that the hazardous, toxic, or flammable contents will spill. Leaks and spills can endanger other motorists and passengers either with the toxic materials themselves or because of other drivers’ attempts to swerve out of the path of the oncoming hazardous spill on the roadways. Additionally, residents or businesses that are near the roadway where the spill occurs may also suffer injuries from the inhalation of toxic gases or chemicals.
Chemical Burns
When an accident occurs with a fuel truck, a motorist or passenger may suffer from chemical burns. Chemical burns often cause severe disfigurement, scarring, paralysis, or other serious and permanent medical issues.
Rollovers
If a fuel tank becomes unstable due to sloshing or another event, and the truck driver cannot keep the fuel truck stable, the fuel truck may roll over. Rollovers of fuel trucks typically affect multiple vehicles on the roadway and can cause catastrophic damages, injuries, and deaths.
Types of Injuries Suffered
While many victims of fuel truck accidents suffer serious injuries, some of the types of injuries suffered include:
- Severe burns
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Crushed or broken bone
- Fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back injuries
- Smoke inhalation
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Amputation
- Death
For a free legal consultation with a Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Orland Park, call (800) 794-0444
Determining Liability in a Fuel Truck Accident
With all the potential injuries and outcomes of a fuel truck accident, dealing with a case on your own may be difficult. Additionally, fuel trucks also follow federal regulations and state laws, so you may not know where to start in regard to the laws that allow you to seek awards. Even the employer for the driver involved in the fuel truck accident is potentially liable for the accident. You can call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case and get the process started as soon as possible.
Orland Park Fuel Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
An Orland Park fuel truck accident lawyer can fight on your behalf to get you a fair financial award for the economic and noneconomic damages you suffered. You could receive compensation that covers the following:
- Medical bills
- Doctor visits
- Ongoing care costs
- Medical transportation
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
While you focus on recovering or attending to a recovering family member, we handle every aspect of your case. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, so do not worry about paying any upfront costs. We only receive payment when we take a fee from the settlement you are awarded.
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Get Help from an Orland Park Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer
In addition to personal injury claims resulting from a fuel truck accident, our legal team can also pursue wrongful death claims due to the death of a loved one in a fuel truck accident.
Preservation of evidence from the scene of a fuel truck accident is critical. If you suffered severe injuries and want help from an Orland Park fuel truck accident lawyer, contact a member of our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a complete evaluation of your case.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form