Frisco Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer
Fuel trucks, also known as tanker trucks, are a common sight around Frisco, TX. These vehicles transport gasoline, diesel, and other fuels to gas stations and other businesses. Although fuel truck accidents are somewhat rare, they can have devastating consequences.
In addition to standard injuries and property damage associated with truck accidents, collisions involving fuel trucks have an added danger due to the tanker’s volatile cargo. If the fuel spills during the accident, it can ignite.
Explosions caused by fuel truck accidents lead to increased fatalities. Victims who survive an explosive crash face a long, difficult road to recovery. They may suffer third-degree burns, chemical burns, and lung damage due to toxic fumes. Many victims experience lifelong, chronic pain after a fuel truck accident.
If you or someone you love is involved in a fuel truck accident, speak to a lawyer at our Frisco, TX accident firm right away. The fuel company may be liable for damages. With a settlement from a fuel truck accident, you can help your family through this difficult time.
Call (469) 998-4069 to schedule a 100% free, 100% confidential legal consultation or use our online contact form.
Fuel Truck Accident Dangers
Fuel truck accidents are more dangerous than other types of car accidents. When you’re driving near a fuel truck, use extra caution. Don’t tailgate, speed, or pass improperly. Do your part to avoid causing an accident near one of these vehicles.
Fuel trucks pose the greatest risk to drivers and passengers in other cars for two reasons:
Size
Unlike tractor-trailers and other cargo trucks, fuel trucks are described by their capacity or volume rather than their weight. In the United States, fuel trucks usually range from 5,000 to 11,6000 gallons. However, smaller trucks may be used for less common fuels like liquid petroleum gas.
These vehicles are usually 40 feet long, 12 feet tall, and 8 feet wide. However, some tanker trucks may be longer. Due to these dimensions, even an empty fuel truck can inflict serious damage to smaller vehicles in an accident.
Toxicity of Fuels
The second danger involved in fuel truck accidents is the fuel itself. Although some tanker trucks carry harmless liquids such as milk or water, fuel trucks transport volatile liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
Although common, these fuels are very toxic. Gasoline poisoning can lead to serious health problems. Additionally, liquid fuels will explode if ignited by a spark or fire from the accident. This leads to catastrophic injuries or death.
Common Causes of Fuel Truck Accidents
Fuel truck accidents can have many causes. Common factors involved in fuel truck accidents include:
Sloshing
“Sloshing” is a unique phenomenon of physics. When a fuel truck’s tanks aren’t adequately filled, there’s extra room for the liquid inside to move. As the truck accelerates, the fuel begins to “slosh” inside the tanks. This can disrupt the truck’s balance. Sloshing can cause the fuel truck to roll over or jackknife, often colliding with other vehicles.
Stopping Distance
Inadequate stopping distance is another factor in fuel truck accidents. Like all commercial transport trucks, fuel trucks need long stopping distances to come to a safe, complete stop.
From the moment the driver hits the brakes to the moment the fuel truck actually stops, it can take several seconds or the distance of two football fields. If the truck doesn’t have enough room to stop, it will collide with whatever is in its path.
Driver Negligence
Driver negligence also causes fuel truck accidents. If the driver isn’t paying attention, they can easily lose control of their vehicle and cause a crash. Common examples of driver negligence include texting while driving, changing lanes without checking your blind spots, speeding, or driving while tired.
For commercial fuel truck drivers, it’s vital to stay alert. Fatigued driving is one of the most dangerous acts of negligence they can commit. Even if a fuel truck driver only falls asleep for a brief second, they can still cause a serious accident.
Additionally, fuel truck drivers may cause accidents if they are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some may experience impaired driving if they’re using a new prescription medication, too. While technically legal, fuel truck drivers should never operate their vehicles until they know how a new medicine affects them.
Blind Spots
Like other large truck collisions, blind spots also factor into fuel truck accidents. Many accidents happen simply because the fuel truck driver can’t see a car in their blind spot. If you’re driving near a fuel truck, always pass with great caution. Remember, if you can’t see the driver, they can’t see you. Don’t linger in a fuel truck’s blind spots.
Hazardous Road Conditions
Finally, hazardous road conditions also play a factor in many fuel truck accidents. This includes hazards caused by poor weather, such as icy or flooded roads, as well as manmade hazards like potholes. If hazardous road conditions cause a fuel truck driver to lose control of their vehicle, it can result in a serious accident.
Fuel Truck Accident Injuries
In addition to common car crash injuries like whiplash, victims of fuel truck accidents may suffer unique health problems. Accidents involving fuel trucks have a higher rate of the following conditions:
Burns
Fuel truck accidents can burn victims if spilled fuel ignites in an explosion. Victims may also receive chemical burns even if the fuel doesn’t ignite.
Lung Damage
Most fuels have toxic fumes. If a victim breathes these fumes after an accident, they may suffer significant lung damage.
Illnesses Like Cancer
Gasoline and other fuels are known to be carcinogenic. People exposed to large quantities of fuel in an accident may face an increased risk of a variety of illnesses, including cancer.
Fuel Truck Accident Liability
Due to the potential injuries involved in a fuel truck accident, it’s important to fight for your legal rights as a victim. In a fuel truck accident, the driver’s employer may be liable for damages. This may be an oil company, utility company, or chemical transportation company.
No matter who is liable in a fuel truck accident, our Frisco, TX legal team can help. Use our online contact form or call us today at (469) 998-4069 for a free consultation with one of our fuel truck accident lawyers.
