Tanker trucks transport flammable gases and liquids; therefore, the aftermath is devastating when the truck is involved in an accident.
If you get injured in a tanker truck accident or incur damages, our Palm Coast tanker truck accident lawyers can fight for the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can determine the value of your claim, collect evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
Types of Damages You Can Seek
After experiencing a tanker truck accident, you are entitled to financial compensation for injuries and damages. In Florida, personal damages are categorized into three:
Economic Damages
Economic damages intend to reimburse you for direct monetary loss. Your team of lawyers will ensure to determine the correct value of your claim based on all costs incurred during the treatment and recovery process. These damages include medical care expenses, both present and future, including surgeries, medication, transport, laboratory work, and rehabilitation or therapy services.
Lost wages during the recovery period or loss of employment due to impairment are also covered in economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are based on mental and physical pain and suffering, for example, depression or loss of life enjoyment, disfigurement, and physical disability. If injuries affect a marital relationship, a spouse can file a claim for loss of consortium. The kind of damages makes it challenging to prove and determine their value. However, experts can investigate and assign value to your situation.
Filing a Claim or Lawsuit
Due to the devastating effects of a tanker truck accident, truck owners are required by law to carry an insurance liability higher than that of ordinary vehicles. If you get injured in a tanker truck accident, you are eligible to seek financial compensation for medical care expenses, lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering.
Our law firm can handle the claim process as you recover mentally and physically. We can help collect evidence and file your claim or lawsuit. A legal team will also handle all the communications and negotiations with insurers.
However, sometimes the out-of-court settlement may fail. Your lawyer will file a lawsuit in court on your behalf in such a case. The lawyer will present all the evidence and present a solid defense to ensure you win the suit against the insurance company.
Types of Tanker Truck Accidents
There are many tanker truck accidents, just as with other vehicle accidents. Some of the most common include:
- Head-on Collisions: They happen when the truck crashes with an oncoming vehicle. A head-on collision can occur when the diver is distracted, falls asleep, or overtakes wrongly.
- Sideswipe Accidents: They occur when the truck driver changes lanes without checking the mirrors or fails to signal during a lane change.
- Overturning Accidents: They happen when the driver is speeding and loses control. Also, improper loading makes the truck imbalanced, leading to overturning.
- T-bone Collisions: They happen when the driver experiences a failed turn and the other vehicle is already entering the intersection.
- Cargo Spills: They mostly happen when a tanker overturns, and if the cargo is explosive, the accidents can be catastrophic.
- Rear-end Collisions: They occur when a truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it. It can be caused by a distracted driver or panic stops.
Tanker Truck Accidents Can Stem From Negligence
Although each accident is unique and happens due to specific circumstances, here are some notable causes of tanker truck accidents:
Tanker Truck Drivers
Tanker truck drivers must be highly skilled with additional driver certification since they transport hazardous cargo—a poor decision by a truck driver when driving can be catastrophic. Truck driver negligence, such as speeding, driving while drunk, or using the phone while driving, can result in an accident.
Also, a truck driver can cause an accident due to misjudgment or miscalculation due to exhaustion. Truck drivers drive long distances and spend long hours on the road, leading to fatigue. Hence, a driver can easily fall asleep at the wheel and cause a crash.
Condition of the Trucks
Before every trip, the truck company must ensure the tanker trucks are inspected to ascertain they’re mechanically fit for the road. Inconsistent or rushed inspection will prevent the driver from being aware of the deteriorating safety of the truck. The drivers should confirm the brakes and tires are in perfect condition during an inspection.
Faulty brakes often lead to deadly accidents. A rear-end collision can quickly occur since bad brakes take a driver longer to bring a truck to a complete stop. Also, tire blowouts happen when truck tires have low pressure. A blowout usually causes the tanker to behave unsteadily, making it hard for the driver to control the truck, leading to an accident.
Load Size
A tanker truck should be loaded according to the required capacity to avoid an imbalance of the truck on the road, ensuring the driver doesn’t lose control. When a tanker is not loaded to capacity, the liquids inside tend to move from side to side. The uneven nature of the load can easily cause the tanker to roll over. Before the trip onset, truck drivers should inspect and ensure the truck is loaded correctly.
See How Our Palm Coast Tanker Truck Accident Lawyers Can Serve You
If you have been involved in a tanker truck accident, get in touch with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free review of your case. Our team of lawyers will give you legal representation against the tanker truck insurance company and strive to get you maximum financial compensation.
We negotiate tirelessly with the insurance provider, and if necessary, we can take the matter to court on your behalf. Call us at 1-800-747-3733 to discuss your case for free.
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