Fuel trucks carry highly flammable and toxic liquids that can cause serious injuries if they get involved in an accident. If you were injured in a fuel truck accident, our law firm is here to help you seek justice. We understand how devastating the injuries can be. That is why we want you to concentrate on your healing as our legal team handles the intricate legal process for you.
A New York fuel truck accident lawyer can take the legal burden of managing your case and file a claim against the at-fault party or parties on your behalf. Your lawyer can pursue the compensation you need to recover from your financial losses.
Contact Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation about your case.
Driver Error Is a Leading Cause of Fuel Truck Accidents
Driver error is the leading cause of fuel truck accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver errors can be classified into four distinct categories:
Nonperformance Errors
Nonperformance errors occur when drivers fail to carry out their duties while on the road. Driver fatigue is a common example of a nonperformance error and one of the leading causes of fuel truck accidents. It may cause a driver to lose concentration and coordination as well as have slower reaction times to road situations. Even worse, a driver may fall asleep while driving, causing an accident.
Many fuel truck drivers drive over long distances for many hours without rest. Even though there are rules and regulations set by the FMCSA on how many hours fuel truck drivers can drive in a day without rest, some companies or drivers might not follow these rules.
Nonperformance errors can also occur when a driver suffers seizures, heart attacks, or any other kind of impairment while driving. Driving under the influence of impairing substances may also cause nonperformance errors.
Decision Errors
Decision errors are mistakes in the judgment that a fuel truck driver makes in road situations. For instance, a driver might misjudge an oncoming vehicle’s speed or follow other cars too closely. These errors may also include over-speeding, incorrect assumptions of other divers’ actions, and illegal maneuvers on the roads.
Recognition Errors
Recognition errors arise from distraction, making drivers unable to assess a situation and respond accordingly. When a driver shifts their attention from the road to answer a phone call or send a text message, it may be too late for them to avoid a collision by the time their attention is back on the road.
Inadequate Performance Errors
Performance errors arise from blatant disregard of safe driving standards.
Other Causes
Other common causes of fuel truck accidents include:
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Poorly maintained brakes, tires, and other parts of the fuel truck may have catastrophic consequences. The maintenance personnel must do pre-trip checks before these vehicles get on the road.
- Failure in equipment: A manufacturer may be held liable for a fuel truck accident if a faulty vehicle part contributed to an accident.
- Unbalanced load: Before setting out on the road, fuel truck companies and drivers must properly check that the vehicle was properly loaded, which may involve making sure the load is balanced.
Due to the complexity involved in fuel truck accidents, it can be difficult to determine the responsible parties for your accidents. Fortunately, a New York fuel truck accident lawyer may be able to help you establish liability and recover damages for your injuries. Call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 to start working with our team on your case.
Fuel Truck Accidents May Cause Severe Injuries to Victims
Some injuries you may suffer in a fuel truck accident may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ injuries
Fuel truck accidents have an additional risk of serious burns from inflammable or chemical substances they might be carrying. Due to explosions, many accidents involving fuel trucks lead to fatalities.
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What to Do After a Fuel Truck Accident
After a fuel truck accident occurs, you should do the following steps:
Seek Emergency Medical Services
The first thing you will want to do after an accident is to seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is crucial for you to receive a full examination to uncover any injury that might not be apparent at the time of the accident.
Call Law Enforcement
Any road accident involving property damage, injury, or death must be reported to the authorities. Furthermore, the accident report written by the law enforcement officer may come in handy for your future claim, as it might contain important information about the accident, the parties involved, and other witnesses who saw the accident take place.
Take Pictures of the Scene
If possible, photograph the scene. If a friend or family member is present at the accident scene and able to take photos or videos of the accident, ask them to do so. Otherwise, take a mental note of any nearby businesses or residences that might have caught surveillance footage of the accident. We may be able to retrieve this evidence later.
Exchange Information with Other Drivers
Get the contact and insurance information of the fuel truck driver. This may include their names, address, and company details. If they are unwilling to cooperate, make sure to take the fuel truck’s registration details.
Call a Law Firm
Contact a law firm to hire an attorney. Your legal team can help you collect evidence and file a claim against negligent parties.
Continue with Your Treatment
Continue with your treatment and make sure to keep all receipts and notes concerning your treatment. They may help prove how much compensation you might be entitled to collect.
Morelli Law Firm Is Ready to Fight for You
Insurance companies often want to end personal injury cases as quickly as they can. After the accident, an insurance company may offer you a settlement, hoping that you will agree to it. In many cases, the insurance company may try to offer you an amount that is lower than what you might be entitled to receive. For this reason, we encourage you to work with a lawyer who can handle communications in the insurance company and manage your case.
Our legal team may be able to help you recover compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Physical disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
If you lost a loved one in an accident, you might be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Possible damages you may be able to recover might include:
- Loss of financial protection
- Loss of spousal companionship
- Loss of guidance for children of the deceased
- Funeral and burial costs
If you or your loved one suffered injuries in an accident caused by a fuel truck, a New York fuel truck accident lawyer can handle your pursuit of compensation. Call our legal team at Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for a free case review.