Any accident involving a commercial truck endangers other motorists on the roadway. When the truck’s cargo spills in the crash, it can cause serious injuries, particularly if the cargo is oil or another hazardous substance. If you have been injured in a truck spill accident, you have a right to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Pursing that compensation can be difficult for those who don’t know the process, however. The attorneys at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP have handled truck accident cases, from spills to underrides, for years. We have the knowledge and expertise to guide you, step by step, through the claims system. This is likely a trying time for you, so let us take on the burden of winning your case. Contact us today at (903) 230-5600 for a free consultation.
What Are the Dangers of Truck Spill Accidents?
A truck spill can cause catastrophic injuries or death to other people on the road, particularly when flammable liquids, such as oil or gas, or hazardous waste is involved. When thousands of gallons of gasoline spill onto the highway, it can ignite and cause fires or explosions. Corrosive or toxic chemicals that spill from a truck can put anyone near the scene at risk. When trucks are transporting motor vehicles or other items that get loose from the truck and spill out onto the road, it can wreak havoc for other motorists.
Oil spills, in particular, are dangerous. When an oil tanker is involved in a collision and oil spills out on the road, it creates a severe risk of burns for people in the vicinity. Exposure to toxic substances in the oil can cause injury to motorists nearby. Spilled oil can also make the roadway slippery, which can cause other drivers to lose control of their vehicles, creating a chain of accidents.
How Do Truck Spill Accidents Happen?
Many truck spills occur when a tractor-trailer crashes, the cargo is improperly loaded, or the driver loses control of the trailer. It’s important to know how these sorts of accidents can happen, so you know what signs to be on the lookout for when driving near a truck. Some of the most common causes for truck accidents that we have seen are:
- Driver fatigue
- Tire blowouts
- Equipment failure
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Executing a turn too quickly
- Construction or other debris in the road
- Hazardous road conditions
The most common cause of cargo pills is due to negligent loading. Improper loading of cargo can cause dangerous truck spills. If a large truck is negligently loaded, it can lead to jackknifing or rollovers – the two main types of truck crashes in which cargo is more likely to spill out of the trailer onto the road. Failure to properly secure cargo can result in cargo shifts during a trip, which can cause the driver to lose control of the rig. Overloading a truck can make it more difficult for the driver to stop or slow down to avoid a crash. Underloading liquid cargo, such as water, oil, or gas, can also contribute to truck accidents. If a tank is underfilled, the liquid can slosh inside, causing the tanker to sway, the driver to lose control, and the truck to jackknife or rollover.
Why You Need An Attorney
Truck spill accidents are complicated cases that may have several different potentially liable parties. It is essential that a thorough investigation of the accident be conducted quickly to preserve crucial black box data and other physical evidence. Large trucking companies and their insurers have teams of lawyers on their payrolls to fight against truck accident claims. The insurance company may try to get you to accept a lowball offer that does not cover all your losses. You need sound legal counsel and an advocate with the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle your claim effectively.
Why Choose Us?
Our Texas truck accident lawyers at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP have many years of experience representing truck accident victims. We can quickly investigate your accident to determine what caused the crash and who is liable for your injuries. We can access the full extent of your losses, negotiate skillfully with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for your rights in court, if necessary.
Our legal team provides personal, client-centered legal services. We will travel to meet you if you are unable to come to our office. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us no fees until we win a recovery for you. If you or your loved one has been injured in a truck spill accident, call us at (903) 230-5600 to schedule a free consultation. We can advise you of your options under the law.
