Columbia Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer
Tanker trucks provide a vital service, hauling fuel or other liquids across state lines and into Columbia. Without them, it would be virtually impossible to buy gas at a station or have propane delivered to your home. Unfortunately, tanker truck accidents are also incredibly dangerous. There is a risk the liquid could leak and catch on fire, leading to mass casualties. Even if fire does not erupt, the weight and size of these vehicles make them deadly when they collide with tiny passenger sedans.
Call The Stanley Law Group for information about how to bring a legal claim for your injuries. Many accidents are the fault of a negligent trucker, who cut you off or failed to pay attention while driving. A Columbia tanker truck accident lawyer can review the facts and determine the best step forward.
Why Tanker Trucks Are Dangerous
Tanker trucks are immediately recognizable. They have a long tank shaped like a cylinder, which can typically hold up to 11,000 gallons of fluid. Many tanker trucks carry milk or water, but many of them carry pesticides or fuel, including highly flammable fuels like gasoline. A tanker truck, fully loaded, is extremely heavy. It will crunch a smaller vehicle which happens to get in the way.
There is also a risk the liquid could spill if the truck crashes. In the event a truck is hauling milk, that possibility is not so tragic. But fuel or pesticides could ignite, and innocent people splashed with chemicals can become poisoned.
Tanker truck drivers require specialized training and licenses so they know how to operate these vehicles safely. Unfortunately, many of them still cause accidents due to:
- Distraction
- Fatigue
- Excessive speed
- Alcohol or drug use
- Risky maneuvers
- Illegal lane changes
- Failure to yield
Victims often suffer significant injuries. If the tanker rolls onto its side, it could crush your vehicle. Many people suffer paralysis, amputation, crush injuries, or permanent brain injuries. Even getting rear-ended by a tanker can lead to devastating bodily pain and mental distress.
Helpfully, victims can sue for all damages if the trucker or someone else is liable for the accident. Car damage is an obvious economic loss, for which you should receive compensation. But other damages include medical bills to treat injuries, including future medical expenses if you suffered poisoning, burns, or other disabilities. You should hire an experienced attorney to analyze what financial compensation to request and who to name as the defendant.
We can also seek compensation for lost income or wages and pain and suffering. Contact us today. We will scour the surrounding area to find useful evidence.
We Win Tough Cases
The Stanley Law Group has honed our skills over decades of representing South Carolina accident victims. We bring unmatched passion and legal insight to every case we accept. We can negotiate a settlement or even file a lawsuit against a tanker truck driver or his employer. Give us a call to speak with one of our Columbia tanker truck accident lawyers today.
