Tanker Accident Lawyer
Every commercial truck has its own set of safety hazards, and tanker trucks are no exception. Tanker trucks are large commercial vehicles designed to haul liquid. These liquids are often highly flammable, which can burst into flames and cause explosions upon impact.
Many of those involved in tanker accidents sustain severe burns and chemical exposure injuries. Treating these injuries is costly and can lead to long term pain and suffering. You should not be left paying out of pocket for the injuries sustained in a tanker accident.
Burbank Truck Accident Attorney
You should be focused on recovery and not on how you will pay for your piling medical bills. Let Yarian Accident & Injury Lawyers, APC carry the burden of pursuing a personal injury claim. We will thoroughly investigate the accident and aggressively fight on your behalf to ensure the negligent party is held responsible.
Schedule a time to speak with us. Call (818) 459-4999. We represent injured clients in areas such as Burbank, Los Angeles, Visalia, Riverside, Fresno, Irvine and San Bernardino.
Information Center
- Dangers of Tanker Truck Accidents
- Common Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents
- Can I Recover Damages?
- Additional Resources
Dangers of Tanker Truck Accidents
Tanker trucks pose additional risks to drivers on the road. Colliding with a tanker truck can result in setting off a chemical reaction or coming in direct contact with toxic materials. Tanker trucks are also susceptible to explosions, leaks, spills, fires and rollovers.
Commercial truck accidents already have the potential to cause serious injuries, but with these added dangers, a tanker truck accident can be lethal. Injuries commonly associated with tanker truck accidents include:
- Burns
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Severed or crushed limbs
- Severe cuts
- Death
These injuries can be excruciating and require a lengthy recovery period. Contact a personal injury attorney if you or someone you know has been injured in a tanker truck accident. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents
The California roadways are filled with many responsible tanker drivers. However, it only takes one bad driver or negligent trucking company to cause a grave accident. Tanker trucks have many of the same problems as other commercial trucks, but with one difference. Tankers carry liquid cargo, so as the vehicle moves the cargo will shift. This is called sloshing, and it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition to sloshing, many elements can cause a tanker accident such as:
- A fatigued or intoxicated driver
- Failing to follow road laws
- Not being familiar with the area
- Not checking blind spots
- Failing to follow safety measures
- Distracted driving
- Overcorrection errors
- A poorly trained driver
- Inadequate maintenance
- Negligent hiring
Can I Recover Damages?
Anyone injured by the negligent actions of another can file a personal injury claim in civil court. You will be required to prove the other party acted negligently to recover compensation for a tanker truck accident. This will not be easy to do on your own, so it’s advised you contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
California law defines negligence as the failure to show reasonable care to prevent harm. This includes:
- Failing to act in a way a reasonable person would have acted in the same situation; or
- Doing something a reasonable person would not have done in the same situation
If you prevail, the court will award you economic and non-economic damages. As the name implies, economic damages are used to compensate monetary, out-of-pocket costs from the accident or future cost related to the incident. This can include medical bills, auto repairs, lost wages and lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are utilized to compensate for damages without monetary value. Common examples of non-economic damages can include emotional distress, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Keep in mind the court will not grant you non-economic damages if you were uninsured or intoxicated during the accident. The one situation where an uninsured driver will be awarded non-economic damages is if the tanker driver is convicted of DUI in connection with the accident.
Additional Resources for Tanker Truck Accidents
Transportation of Hazardous Materials | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – Tanker drivers are required to abide by stringent regulations when transporting hazardous materials. Follow the link provided to find a complete list of regulations covering preemption procedures, how radioactive materials should be transported and penalties for failing to comply. The FMCSA is the governing body responsible for regulating the trucking industry.
Tankers and Rollover Accidents – Rollover accidents are the most common tanker accidents. View a PDF provided by AIG Program Loss Control to learn about why tankers are susceptible to rollovers and driving conditions and behaviors that can cause the accident.
Many people find that a truck accident is only the start of an arduous process. Trucking and insurance companies are just looking after themselves and will often try to shift the blame to you. For this reason, you need Yarian Accident & Injury Lawyers, APC on your side. Our attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Call (818) 459-4999 to schedule a time to speak with us. We advocate on behalf of clients in communities across Los Angeles County and Tulare County.
