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Oil trucking and shipping is necessary to deliver oil to many communities and areas of the country, but the risks of using large tanker trucks can often lead to severe accidents and injuries. Victims of truck accidents and injured truck drivers may be able to file a lawsuit against the trucking company or the oil company that operates the trucks.
If you or a loved one was injured as a victim in a trucking accident involving an oil tanker in Texas, or if you were injured while working as an oil tanker driver in Texas, contact The Queenan Law Firm. Our attorneys represent injury victims and work to get them compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To schedule a free consultation on your case and to learn more about the compensation you might be entitled to, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.
Compensation for Oil Tanker Drivers in Texas
If you drive for an oil company or a trucking company that ships oil in tanker trucks, you are in one of the most dangerous professions in the country. Transportation workers and oil workers face some of the highest incidence of injury for any workers in the country, and oil tanker drivers face risks of on the job injury from the day to day conditions of driving a truck as well as the risk of severe injuries from truck accidents.
If you were injured at work, you may need to reject workers’ compensation to protect your right to sue for injuries. When you start your job as a trucker, it is vital to reject workers’ compensation within the first 5 days at work to protect your right to file a lawsuit. Otherwise, you may be required to file through workers’ compensation where you might be limited in the compensation you can claim.
When taking your employer to court for injuries, you must prove something that the employer did wrong to prove they were at fault for the injuries you suffered. In trucking accidents, this may include failing to maintain the truck properly. Truck tires and other equipment can lead to breakdowns and catastrophic accidents if they are not properly maintained and cared for. The tanker on an oil truck can leak if it is damaged or improperly maintained, potentially leading to accidents. In the event of a severe accident, oil tankers could be punctured leading to chemical exposure and increased risk of fire and explosion.
If you suffered severe on-the-job injuries while working at an oil transportation company, you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Talk to an attorney for help understanding the full damages you may be entitled to. Valuing a personal injury case can be complex, and an experienced truck accident and workplace injury lawyer can help you understand what your case is worth.
Natural Gas Tankers
Tractor-trailers carrying chemicals and natural gas can cause severe damage and destruction in the event of an accident. The trucking company and natural gas company should take certain precautions to ensure that the equipment used on their trucks is in good working order and that the tanker is free of damage that would cause leaks or problems during a crash.
Federal trucking regulations dictate safety standards for trucks and truck drivers to help ensure safety on roads and highways. Many trucking companies encourage their drivers to drive beyond federal time restrictions. These companies may also fail to properly maintain their vehicles, putting trucks with dangerous tires, broken lighting, and malfunctioning or damaged tanks on the road.
If a truck driver is responsible for an accident, the trucking company or natural gas company that hired them might be responsible for damages. The trucking company is responsible for its employees’ errors if they occur during the course of the driver’s job duties. This means that the trucking company should be financially responsible for any damages you face because of an accident their driver caused.
Trucking companies and natural gas companies typically have large legal teams that fight to shut down claims against them and their drivers. If you were injured, it is important not to accept any settlements or instructions from the trucking company, since they do not represent you or your best interests. Instead, hire an attorney to represent you and your family. Our lawyers can help you understand what your case should be worth and what financial compensation you might be entitled to claim in court.
Damages for truck accidents can include payments for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In addition, you can get compensation for the damage to your vehicle. If a loved one was killed in a truck accident, you may be able to claim additional compensation for burial and funeral expenses, as well as lost income, companionship, and other damages for your loved one’s death.
Suing Oil Trucking Companies for Injuries in Texas
Companies that operate oil tanker trucks ship huge volumes of oil every day. The oil delivered by truck must be contained securely in a tanker truck, and any leaks or damage to the tanker can cause oil spills on the highway, potentially leading to accidents. Additionally, the size and mass of a truck make it difficult for the driver to slow down or steer in the event of an emergency, and it is quite difficult to see properly using the mirrors on a tractor-trailer. Because of these risks, trucks are often the cause of many severe auto accidents.
Trucking companies must follow certain federal guidelines for shipping. These regulations dictate how many hours a driver may stay on the road, maintenance standards for trucks, driver health and safety requirements, and other rules that the trucking company and their drivers must follow. Any violations of these rules could potentially lead to accidents if the drivers are overworked and tired, if the truck is not properly maintained to safety standards, or if the driver has a health problem that makes them unsafe behind the wheel. If a trucking company violated any of these rules, they may be liable to the victims for the damages the truck accident caused them.
In addition, trucking companies and oil shipping companies might be responsible for their drivers’ errors as well. Employers in Texas can be held accountable for their employees’ negligence if the negligence occurred within the scope of the workers’ job. That means that any time a truck driver causes an accident while working, the trucking company may be responsible for damages resulting from the crash.
If you or a loved one was injured, or if a loved one was killed in a trucking accident involving an oil tanker, talk to an attorney about your case. You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses, which may not be paid in full through a settlement or an insurance claim.
Call Our Oil Tanker Truck Injury Lawyers for a Free Legal Consultation
After a serious truck accident involving an oil tanker, call The Queenan Law Firm. If you were injured as a victim or an oil truck driver, contact our law offices today for help understanding your right to file a claim and how much financial compensation you may be entitled to. To schedule your free consultation, contact our Arlington oil trucking accident lawyers today at (817) 476-1797.