Depending on their size and fuel capacity, fuel trucks, sometimes referred to as fuel tankers, may be among the heaviest vehicles on the road at any given time. These vehicles are dangerous not only because of their mass, but also because they are often carrying highly-combustible fuel. Drivers of fuel trucks have a responsibility to exercise extreme care, and if they do not, the results can be deadly.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a collision involving a fuel truck, then you may be entitled to compensation. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation with a Lafayette fuel truck lawyer.
Fuel Trucks Are Among the Most Dangerous Vehicles
Many fuel trucks fall within the ‘big rig’ vehicle category, and this category of vehicle is dangerous for several reasons, primarily because of their weight. The substantial amount of weight of a fuel truck leads to:
- an inability to stop quickly, as Newton’s three laws of motion indicate that it takes longer to stop the motion of an object with greater mass than it does a lighter one
- poorer maneuverability of fuel trucks due to the weight and size of each, which could make them a hazard at high speeds and in dangerous driving conditions
- a threat of greater damage when a collision does occur due to the mass of a large vehicle, which can crush vehicles, motorists, and passengers that it collides with
Fuel trucks present a couple of hazards to other vehicles—even other big rigs. These hazards include:
- Many fuel truck drivers may be required to drive long distances over extended periods of time, which may lead to risks associated with drowsy driving (such as inattentiveness, slow reaction time, and poor decision making), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Fuel trucks carry fuel, a combustible liquid that can cause explosions and fire if it becomes compromised because of an accident.
The U.S. Department Of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has weight limits for vehicles traveling interstate highways. The limit for large trucks is 80,000 pounds, and fuel trucks may commonly encroach on this limit, depending on their fuel capacity.
Trucks of this size can create massive damage when involved in an accident, especially considering that the average passenger car weighs only around 4,000 pounds, according to The New York Times. Throw in the danger posed by the fuel itself, and the impetus for fuel truck drivers to be extremely careful becomes clear.
Yet, often driver error is to blame when large trucks such as fuel tankers are in a collision. According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 87 percent of crashes involving large trucks were due to driver error or inattentiveness. Call the Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 to discuss how you could hold the responsible parties in your truck accident liable.
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Fuel Truck Drivers Are Susceptible to Negligence
Though you may think that fuel truck drivers would be extra cautious, they are just as susceptible to distraction as a driver of passenger vehicles. The difference is that fuel trucks can cause much more damage than a smaller passenger vehicle, and thus the price of negligence by a fuel truck driver may be higher than most.
Drivers of fuel trucks are just as prone to engaging in forms of distracted driving as any passenger vehicle driver on the road, and may:
- Engage in any phone-related activity while driving
- Talk on the phone while driving, whether by using hands-free capabilities or not
- Text while driving
- Change the vehicle’s entertainment system while driving
- Take attention away from the road to deal with freight-related communications or activities
- Take attention from the road to tend to pets or other occupants in a vehicle
- Take one’s eyes off of the road to engage with other motorists
These activities can seem harmless in the moment, and most times they do not result in any collision. But when distracted driving causes a collision, the behavior becomes negligence.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a collision involving a fuel truck, you may be able to collect compensation for your losses. Call a Lafayette fuel truck lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
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A Fuel Truck Lawyer Will Help You Pursue Compensation
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident involving a fuel truck, you should focus on recovering or coping with your loss, if you sustained one. A lawyer can handle your pursuit of compensation from beginning to end.
A lawyer will assist you in your pursuit of damages by:
- Initiating your case right away by filing the necessary documentation, ensuring that you abide by relevant statutes of limitations.
- Helping you decide whether additional parties besides the driver are liable for your losses, such as a fuel company.
- Handling the totality of your legal case for compensation from start to finish.
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process.
A lawyer will be responsible for proving that the defendant(s) in your case caused your injuries, and that they owe you compensation as a result.
Call a Lawyer Today
In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for both wrongful death and personal injury claims is generally one year from the date of the accident under Art. 3492 of the Louisiana Statutes. It is critically important that you not wait to call a lawyer, as these statutes of limitations could impact your ability to collect financial awards.
Know that there are exceptions to these statutes, and you should call a lawyer regardless of the time that has passed since your accident.
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Potentially Recoverable Damages
Though each case is unique, possible compensation in your case may cover:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Possible damages in a wrongful death claim may cover:
- Loss of financial protection
- Loss of spousal companionship
- Loss of guidance for children of the deceased
- Funeral costs
We may be able to pursue other forms of damages as well, depending on your circumstances.
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Call Our Team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
Fuel truck accidents can cause serious injury or death, and if you or a loved one were involved in such an accident, our team can handle your pursuit of compensation. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
