Texas is America’s largest producer of crude oil. For this reason, motor vehicle drivers in San Antonio may encounter multiple oil tanker trucks on the road on any given day. If you get injured in an accident involving an oil or petroleum tanker, someone may be responsible for paying for your medical bills and vehicle repairs. Determine whether you are eligible for financial compensation with help from a San Antonio 18-wheeler accident attorney.
What Is an Oil Tanker?
An oil tanker is a type of heavy truck designed to transport oil and other petroleum products from oil refineries or storage facilities to gas stations and other destinations. Oil tankers are recognizable by their cylindrical tanks (typically made of steel or aluminum) that are mounted on trailers and designed to carry liquid. You may encounter both crude oil and fuel tanker trucks in Texas.
What Makes Oil Tanker Accidents So Dangerous?
Oil and gas are considered “hazardous materials” or “hazmat” in the trucking industry. This means they pose risks to public health and safety during transportation; therefore, they are subject to special rules and regulations. Oil is flammable, combustible and can be explosive. An oil spill also poses a risk of environmental damage and toxic exposure. While emergency shut-off valves can help prevent spillage in an accident, they are not failsafe. If an oil tanker truck gets involved in an accident, the impact of a collision could cause a spark that starts a fire or causes an explosion. This can cause immense damage to those involved, with significant injuries such as burns and traumatic amputations.
Oil Tanker Accident Prevention
Due to their size and the risks associated with transporting oil, tanker trucks must be operated by properly trained and highly qualified drivers. In addition, oil trucks must be properly inspected and maintained to ensure that all parts are working properly. Finally, the companies responsible for oil tanker trucks must abide by specific safety regulations for transporting oil or gas. This includes properly training crew members and providing proper truck safety features, such as internal barriers and pressure control systems.
Can I Recover Compensation for an Oil Tanker Accident in San Antonio?
Many oil tanker accidents in Texas are caused by human error or negligence, meaning the failure to act with proper care. If a person using a reasonable level of skill and care could have prevented the oil tanker accident, injured victims have the right to hold someone accountable for the crash. If a tank was exceeding its weight limit at the time of the accident, for example, this could be proof of negligence. The financial compensation that may be available for an oil tanker accident in San Antonio includes past and future medical costs, lost wages, permanent disability, lost capacity to earn, pain and suffering, diminished enjoyment of life, and wrongful death damages. Discuss how much your particular case could be worth with a personal injury attorney in San Antonio before accepting a settlement.
Why Should I Hire an Injury Attorney After an Oil Tanker Accident in San Antonio?
If a recent traffic accident involving an oil tanker in San Antonio could have been prevented, an attorney can investigate on your behalf to collect evidence of negligence or fault. Your lawyer can use this evidence to prove your case and secure fair financial compensation for all of your related losses. This can help you move forward. Unlike an oil company and its insurance provider, an attorney will be on your side. To learn more about how an attorney can help you after an oil tanker truck accident in Texas, contact the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo. We offer free initial case reviews.