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If you or someone in your family is handling the fallout from a tanker truck crash, you need a Pensacola truck accident attorney at your side. We are skilled in navigating the complexities of obtaining tanker truck injury compensation. Contact Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers for more information about pursuing damages.
Hazardous Materials in Tanker Trucks
Tanker trucks are typically used to transport dangerous liquid chemicals. This makes it all the more likely for critical injuries when an accident happens.
There are specific rules about transporting hazardous materials throughout Florida and the country. Drivers must remain in compliance with state and federal regulations and laws.
These cover things such as which types of materials can be transported through a certain area due to population density, the time of day that hazardous materials can be transported, and the highways on which those materials can be moved.
Individuals operating these tanker trucks must also maintain commercial driver’s licenses with extra certifications and training to be able to safely transport hazardous substances.
Tanker trucks can carry many materials, but one of the most common is fuel. A fuel truck accident is especially dangerous because of the volume of gas onboard that vehicle.
One of the biggest challenges with tanker truck accidents is that victims can be exposed to dangerous liquids being transported within the truck. If a fuel truck accident causes the cargo to ignite and this leads to an explosion, victims may also sustain severe damage from compromised or ruptured materials, such as noxious fumes. These spills can be catastrophic because they may cause permanent injuries and prevent you from enjoying the lifestyle or work you maintain prior to the accident.
These tanker truck accidents can also cause follow-up car crashes because the hazardous chemicals transported in a tanker truck are typically slippery or oil based. This can cause other drivers to lose traction on the road and crash into objects or other drivers. It is imperative that you be prepared to hire an experienced Pensacola tanker truck accident attorney to evaluate your case and to determine all potentially liable parties.
Common Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents
All drivers on the road have a legal responsibility to exercise care behind the wheel. Tanker truck drivers, however, must adhere to all safety protocols and avoid any dangerous driving activities that could increase their chances of being hurt in an accident.
A tanker truck operator may cause an accident due to a variety of Dangerous driving behaviors, such as driving:
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- While drowsy
- Distracted
- Aggressively
A driver may also cause a tanker truck accident due to failing to comply with area laws, such as speed limits. The size, weight, and hazardous materials inside a tanker truck put everyone around the truck at severe risk of life-changing injuries should an accident happen.
Injuries to Victims in Tanker Truck Accidents
Due to the weight of a tanker truck and the dangerous materials transported inside, truck accident victims are likely to face severe personal injuries from a crash. This includes crush injuries, fractures, broken bones, concussions, other head injuries, burns, and lacerations.
A fuel truck accident poses a substantial risk of igniting or exploding. Other drivers may have little or no opportunity to get out of the way before burns, and other injuries occur.
Always get medical attention immediately after a fuel truck accident in Pensacola. You may not realize the full extent of your injuries at the time, as shock may hide these from you at the scene. Continue to follow up with all medical appointments to protect your rights to recover compensation in a lawsuit.
Who could be liable for a fuel truck accident?
As with tractor-trailer accidents, more than one entity may be responsible for the injuries sustained by a victim in a tanker truck crash. However, tanker truck accidents are different from those crashes only involving passenger cars, typically because the supervising employer of the truck driver may also be held accountable for the truck driver’s actions, in addition to the truck driver themselves.
Other individuals may be responsible pending a thorough investigation of the tanker truck accident scene. This includes the owner of the cargo, any vendors providing services to the carrier, the manufacturer of the truck parts, or any contractors or local government entities responsible for maintenance or highway design.
When do I need to file a lawsuit against a tanker truck operator or company?
Florida has a statute of limitations of two years after the date of the accident. You will not be able to pursue any compensation for your damages after this point. It is also beneficial for you to communicate with an attorney sooner than that point, given the complexity of typical tanker truck lawsuits.
Gathering evidence is easier when your attorney has been notified as soon as possible.
Why hire a truck accident lawyer?
For tanker truck companies, many of them recognize that they’re exposed to additional risks for personal injury lawsuits. As a result, they have extensive defensive legal teams who are prepared to spring into action quickly and may even be sent to the scene of the accident directly after the wreck occurs.
You need someone in your corner to advocate for your rights and to ensure that you are protected when you have substantial injuries.
Someone with critical injuries at the scene of a tanker truck accident may not be able to remember the details of the accident and may cope with life-changing injuries. In these circumstances, you need someone who is highly experienced in taking on tanker truck lawsuits and who is prepared to do everything possible to protect your legal rights.
Your tanker truck accident attorney should have plenty of experience investigating these wrecks, gathering evidence, and following them through to settlement or trial.
Request a Consultation with a Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer Now
There is a lot on the line for your future after a tanker truck accident. If you or a loved one are struggling to recover from catastrophic injuries, an attorney at Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers can help. Set up a time to discuss your case with our dedicated team now.