Fuel trucks are used to carry fuel from one place to another. However, fuel trucks can be hazardous. They not only carry heavy loads, but they also carry dangerous materials. When fuel trucks are in an accident, they can cause significant damage. There is also a risk that the fuel they are carrying is flammable. The damage done after an accident can be even worse than the accident itself.
If you were involved in a fuel truck accident, you might be entitled to collect compensation for the damages you experienced. The injuries you sustained might have required extensive medical care, resulting in massive medical bills. An Abbeville fuel truck accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you need to cover your damages. Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help fight for your rights in your fuel truck accident claim or lawsuit. Call (337) 777-7777 today for a free consultation.
Fuel Trucks Pose Several Risks if They Get into Accidents
Fuel trucks can be more dangerous than other large trucks on the road. These vehicles often carry hazardous materials, which can make an accident even more dangerous than usual.
Leaks
The Louisiana Administrative Code §33: XI.701 requires that all fuel trucks undergo monthly checks for leaks. If a vehicle is not properly checked or a leak is missed, a leak on the road can be dangerous for all traffic behind the vehicle. Depending on the type of liquid, a leak can make the road slick, which can cause other drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Fire
Many different types of fuel are very flammable. If the fuel does leak, it can become a fire hazard on the road. If there is already fire on the road, the fuel can intensify the flames. In the event of an accident, a fire can easily be started and make a bad situation worse.
Explosion
Because fuel is flammable, explosions are also possible. If a fuel truck is involved in an accident, the hazardous material can catch fire and explode. An explosion increases the amount of damage done and the severity of the accident.
Rollover
Rollover accidents are also common with fuel trucks. Because they are carrying liquid, the sloshing movement of the liquid can pull the vehicle to the side. This may happen when the truck is going around a curve or turn.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientMany Common Causes of Fuel Truck Accidents Involve Driver Error
Fuel truck accidents tend to be caused by human error in some sort of way. Human error can play a big part in fuel truck accidents, and it can be caused by the driver or the maintenance worker who worked on the vehicle.
Speeding
Speeding in a fuel truck is extremely dangerous. Large trucks take longer to stop than the other vehicles around them. When they are speeding, they take even longer to stop. If a fuel truck driver is faced with an obstacle in the road, they would have very little time to stop.
Following Too Closely
Following a vehicle too closely gives you less time to react if they suddenly need to stop. A fuel truck driver should not follow others too closely because trucks need more time to stop. If a car in front of the truck suddenly stops, the truck might not have enough room or time to stop and avoid a collision.
Following a fuel truck too closely also puts you in the truck driver’s blind spot, which means they will not be aware of your vehicle.
Distracted Driving
If a driver is distracted while driving, they might veer off the road or cross into another lane unexpectedly. This is dangerous for themselves and other drivers on the road. It can be tempting to check your phone or eat lunch while on the road, but these distractions can be deadly.
Drowsy Driving
Fuel truck drivers are often tired from working long days. If the driver is too tired, they might lose focus and start to drift while driving. This may result in a serious accident, especially if the driver falls asleep at the wheel.
Driving While Intoxicated
Driving while intoxicated is illegal and puts others at risk of injury or death. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving might cause you to fall asleep easily, impair your judgment, and decrease your response time. If obstacles come into your path while you are driving under the influence, you might not be able to respond as quickly as you would sober.
Lack of Vehicle Maintenance
Fuel trucks need regular maintenance to ensure they are working properly. If a fuel truck vehicle is not maintained properly, it might experience mechanical failures or have vehicle parts fail unexpectedly, including faulty brakes or tire blowouts.
If you were involved in a fuel truck accident, an Abbeville fuel truck accident lawyer can help you fight for your compensation. Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the ins and outs of a fuel truck accident claim or lawsuit. Call us today at (337) 777-7777 to get started.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWe Can Help You Fight for Compensation for Your Damages
If you were in a fuel truck accident, you might be entitled to receive compensation to cover the damages you suffered. According to the Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492, you have up to a year to file your lawsuit from the date of the accident. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start fighting for your compensation. The compensation you might be entitled to collect may cover damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Vehicle repair costs
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Decrease in salary
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientHow We Can Help
An Abbeville fuel truck accident lawyer can help prove fault in an accident by gathering evidence to build your case. You should not have to pay the consequences for someone else’s negligence on the road.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can review your case at no cost to you. Our team can help you determine what options you have available to you. Call us today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get started fighting for your rights.
