Driving down the highway with an oil tanker truck next to you could be scary. While these trucks are designed to be very safe on the roadways, there are situations where accidents can occur. Tanker accidents are highly dangerous and can lead to catastrophic injuries when they occur. Talk to a Houston explosion accident lawyer from The Doan Law Firm today.

The Consequences of Oil Tanker Truck Accidents

An oil tanker truck filled with fuel can cause serious injury to anyone should an accident occur. Yet, any type of tanker truck traveling at a fast rate of speed can be worrisome. Consider some of the most common consequences of tanker truck accidents:

• Explosions: If fuel escapes from any component of the tanker truck, the risk of highly dangerous explosions increases.
• Environmental damage: Tanker trucks also create an increased risk of environmental damage.
• Serious injuries and fatalities: Tanker accidents can cause serious injuries and, in some situations, fatalities, often instantly due to the explosive risks.

If you are in an accident with a tanker truck, you may have serious injuries and ongoing risks to your health and well-being. Working with a tanker truck accident attorney to recover damages is critical.

Common Causes of Dangerous Oil Tanker Truck Accidents

Oil tanker trucks must be designed to take on some of the most intense risks. Most are driven by skilled drivers who know how to minimize risks to others. Yet, when accidents occur, they are nearly always preventable and, as a result, due to negligence. Some of the most common causes of tanker accidents include:

• Driver inexperience or lack of key skills
• Safety equipment and protective systems are not used or functioning properly
• Lack of maintenance and upkeep on the system
• Reckless driving due to speeding
• Driver fatigue and lack of following time-off rules

The oil tanker truck driver, the company that employs that driver, and the owner of the truck could be responsible for the injuries and losses you have. Whether it is due to a rollover of that truck, a collision with your vehicle, or the tanker truck striking a structure in the area, victims of these accidents need to file a police report and, ultimately, hire an attorney to represent them in recovering maximum compensation.

You May Be Able to Recover Damages

If you are the victim of a tanker truck accident, your attorney will help you determine if another person is responsible for your injuries. If so, you can then file a claim for your losses against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Because these are very serious accidents, it is not uncommon for victims to pursue significant damages for losses. Some examples of losses include:

• Medical expenses from the immediate medical care
• Ongoing medical specialist care and support
• Property damage and losses
• Lost wages and benefits from being unable to work
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Wrongful death claims

In situations where you are facing intense injury and loss, it is critical to work with an oil tanker truck accident attorney who can guide you in recovering your full compensation. Do not wait to learn more about your rights in these cases. Contact the Doan Law Firm today.