Tanker trucks are an important part of any economy, hauling fuels and other liquid goods to the people that need them. These trucks must be able to transport these items efficiently and safely, protecting the environment from spills and the other drivers on the road from crashes.
Much of the time, the fuel truck driver does so safely. However, when the tanker truck driver makes an error, the results can be catastrophic. In a crash, these heavy trucks can do significant damage to other vehicles on the road and to innocent bystanders if the materials they are carrying spill out.
Having a Jersey City fuel truck lawyer on your side may help you get the settlement you deserve for your medical bills, ongoing injuries, and pain and suffering. Count on the team at Morelli Law Firm to stand by your side throughout the case. Call us today at (212) 751-9800 for a free review of your case.
Dangers of Fuel Trucks
When a tanker truck driver makes an error, there are two dangers to the others on the roads of Jersey City.
First, a fuel truck is an extremely heavy piece of machinery. According to an article published by News-Press, a fuel truck can carry 9,000 to 11,500 gallons of fuel when full. When a truck of this size strikes a passenger car, the occupants could be subject to devastating, crushing injuries.
Second, a truck that spills a dangerous liquid, such as gasoline, could cause harm to others in and around the crash. Gasoline can cause chemical burns on the human skin, according to the Mayo Clinic, which can result in significant health complications, including:
- Reduction in body temperature
- Infection in the open skin from bacteria
- Breathing difficulties from the fumes
- Formation of scar tissue on the skin
Types of Fuel Truck Cargo
Although some tanker trucks carry items that are not dangerous for human exposure, such as milk or other products related to food production, many times the products inside the tankers on these trucks are dangerous to humans, including:
- Gasoline
- Diesel fuel
- Ethanol
- Propane
- Other petroleum-based products
- Pesticides
- Fertilizers
- Other agricultural chemicals
- Industrial chemicals
- Radioactive materials
Jersey City Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Receiving the Compensation that You Deserve
Regardless of what kind of chemical exposure you received, you deserve compensation for your losses. Sometimes, exposure to harsh and dangerous chemicals can cause health problems that linger for the remainder of the victim’s life or that do not show up until several years after the exposure.
An insurance company for the driver or owner of the tanker truck that struck you may not take these long term effects into account when creating a settlement offer. A Jersey City fuel truck lawyer can help you determine your future health care costs, based on your injuries and your long term prognosis.
Call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 as soon as possible for a review of your case for free.
Causes of Fuel Truck Accidents
Because of the way these trucks operate, the possibility of significant dangers from crashes exist. For example, if the truck does not have a full load of liquid in the tanker, a sudden swerve or a sharp curve could throw off the balance inside the tanker because of the moving liquid. This fluidic momentum could cause the driver to lose control.
Some other reasons tanker trucks may crash include:
- Improper training: the driver of the fuel truck does not hold the proper commercial driver license, per the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC), and therefore, has not undergone the proper training.
- Poor road conditions: inclement weather or rough roads mean a driver who is going too fast for the conditions cannot maintain control or stop in time, leading to a crash.
- Drunken driving: the truck driver took drugs or drank alcohol before climbing behind the wheel, leading to a crash because of impaired judgment.
- Violations: the driver violates state traffic laws, such as speeding or improperly changing lanes, leading to a crash.
If the errors that led to the crash occurred because of negligence or recklessness on the part of the driver, these facts would strengthen the case of a victim trying to bring a lawsuit for injuries.
Dangers in the Aftermath of Fuel Truck Accidents
Beyond the massive weight of tanker trucks, additional dangers exist after a crash involving a passenger car and a tanker truck, which include:
- Explosion: the items in the tanker could explode if the tanker ruptures in an accident, creating dangers for those directly involved in the crash, as well as those near the area.
- Fire: a tanker truck carrying a flammable material could spill the cargo after an accident, creating a fire hazard that threatens everyone in the nearby areas.
- Out of control: a driver in an accident may lose control of the tanker trailer, and it could roll or slide because of the momentum of the truck, crashing into other vehicles or buildings in the area.
- Spills and leaks: a ruptured tanker could allow dangerous chemicals or hazardous materials to leak into the environment, potentially exposing large numbers of people to danger.
Count on Us to Defend Your Rights
The insurance company for the tanker truck that caused your injuries in a crash may not be willing to treat you fairly in a settlement, refusing to take into account the full extent of your injuries, or how the injuries may have changed your life. That is where a Jersey City fuel truck lawyer can help you.
At Morelli Law Firm, our team is ready to represent your interests and defend your rights to receive compensation. As the victim in this type of accident, where you did nothing wrong, you deserve fair treatment.
We will fight to help you receive the settlement you deserve. Contact our team at (212) 751-9800. As soon as you choose to hire us, we will begin working on your case. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, we do not accept payment for our services until the case reaches its conclusion.