A fuel truck is any type of truck used to transport liquid substances, like gasoline or propane. These vehicles are not only massive in size and extremely heavy, but they are also flammable. If you were involved in an accident with a fuel truck or tanker, then there is a risk that the vehicle may have caused a fire, exposing you to painful and disfiguring burns.
If you were hurt in this type of accident, then you may be able to claim compensation from the people who are responsible for your injuries. An Englewood fuel truck accident lawyer cannot only answer your questions about the legal process, but they can also help you prepare the strongest case possible. Morelli Law Firm offers a free consultation to talk about your potential case and whether we can help you. Call us today at (212) 751-9800.
Fuel Truck Accidents Are Dangerous
Here are a few reasons that your fuel truck accident may have happened:
- Improperly loaded cargo: If the truck is overfilled, then the weight may make it more difficult for the driver to safely operate the vehicle.
- Improper driver training: If a driver does not receive the right training on maintaining these vehicles or driving them safely, everyone is at risk.
- Sloshing: Sometimes, the liquid inside the fuel compartment can slosh around and cause the vehicle to become unstable, particularly when the compartment is not at maximum capacity.
- Improper vehicle maintenance: Like any vehicle, the tanker truck requires routine maintenance to ensure that everything is in good working repair.
- Driver negligence or recklessness: A driver that is speeding, distracted, or intoxicated behind the wheel can lead to fuel truck accidents.
Working with a lawyer can help you understand more about fuel truck accidents and how you may be entitled to financial recovery from the people who hurt you. The list above shows just a handful of examples of the ways a fuel truck accident can happen. There may be other causes that factor in your crash.
One of your lawyer’s biggest priorities will be searching for evidence to help support your claim. Here are a few different categories of evidence that can help show how the other party caused the accident to happen:
- Police report: A police report will usually identify whether anyone violated any traffic laws and the events that led up to the accident.
- Eyewitness testimony: This form of evidence can include passengers, other drivers in the area, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
- Video surveillance: Surveillance cameras from nearby businesses may have caught the accident or part of it on film.
- Skid marks on the road: The patterns that tires leave behind when brakes are applied at high speed can provide evidence about what happened.
- The nature of your injuries: Sometimes, the type and extent of your injuries help fill in the gaps when it comes to the accident and how it happened.
You can also work with an accident reconstructionist, an expert who can review the evidence and recreate the accident to demonstrate who caused it and how your injuries are related.
Trying to put together all the evidence you need to bring a strong case can be exhausting, especially if you are trying to heal from your injuries. Let Morelli Law Firm help you understand your rights and options during this difficult time. Our Englewood fuel truck accident lawyer will guide you through the process step by step. Call us today at (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation to discuss your potential claim.
Proving that Someone Else Is to Blame for the Crash
When it comes to proving fault, there are four key components that you will need to prove before the court will award you compensation. These elements of your claim are equally important.
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Duty
You must show that the person or company that caused the crash owed you a duty of care. In general, everyone has a responsibility to act with reasonable care and skill when performing daily tasks and doing their job. This can mean making sure that the driver the trucking company hired has the right training and a clean driving record. Another example could be that the driver has a duty to comply with all traffic laws.
Breach
You must show that the actions of the person or company that caused the crash fell below this standard of reasonable care. Some examples include speeding, tailgating, not yielding the right-of-way, and intoxicated driving. In addition, the fuel truck company may breach the standard of care through poor hiring practices and poor employee supervision.
Causation
It is not enough to show that someone was careless. You must also show that this carelessness was the direct cause of the injuries that you suffered. For example, the fuel truck driver might have rear-ended you because they failed to yield, causing you to suffer spinal cord injuries. You can then hold them and/or their employer accountable for the related damages.
However, if some other major factor caused your accident, like severe weather, road hazards, or some other driver’s carelessness, then the fuel truck driver and/or company may not be to blame.
Damages
You must be prepared to provide evidence of the injuries that you suffered. This evidence can include things like medical bills and support for any disabilities or permanent injuries.
It is common for someone to suffer severe burns in a fuel truck accident, which often leads to long-term medical care and costs. You can also seek compensation for any reduction in your earning capacity as a result of the crash, in addition to any paychecks that you missed while recovering.
Take Action and Explore Your Right to Financial Recovery
If you are thinking of bringing a lawsuit against the people who caused your injuries, do not wait. You only have two years from the date of the injury to do so, according to the New Jersey Revised Statutes §2a: 14-2. An Englewood fuel truck accident lawyer can help you meet the deadline.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for more information about seeking compensation for all your accident-related damages.