Due to the prevalence of oil fields and refineries in Texas, oil tanker trucks frequently traverse the state’s highways, carrying thousands of gallons of highly flammable liquid and creating risks of accidents that are potentially catastrophic. In fact, Texas consistently leads all other states in large truck crash fatalities by a wide margin, exceeding 10 percent of all U.S. truck fatalities each year. If you were injured or you lost a loved one in an oil tanker truck accident, the attorneys at Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont have the experience, legal knowledge and aggressiveness you need to maximize your recovery of compensation for your damages.
The increase in oil drilling and fracking in west Texas has led to major tanker traffic, putting a strain on highways and infrastructure and causing road damage that can create hazards for vehicles. In addition to the dangers posed by any large trucks, oil tanker trucks involve unique risks. Fully loaded tankers are very heavy and the sloshing of oil can cause the vehicle to shift, making it difficult for the driver to control. Jackknifes and rollovers sometimes occur. Collisions and other oil tanker truck accidents can lead to explosions, massive fires, spills and leaks of their cargo, all of which can cause catastrophic injuries to anyone at the scene. Our lawyers know how to investigate and assess all contributing causes of an accident.
Several parties may share responsibility for an oil tanker crash. Driver error is the leading cause, as drivers may be poorly trained, distracted, fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other potential defendants might include:
We name as defendants everyone who may have contributed to causing the accident and we focus on proving the liability of parties with the resources to fully compensate you for your damages.
A lawsuit begins with filing a petition describing the truck accident and your damages, to which the defendants must respond. The next step is an exchange of documents and information by the parties, known as discovery. We then use the results of discovery and our own investigation to build the strongest case we can for you. Any of the parties in the lawsuit might file motions asking the court to resolve disputed issues. We seek to achieve satisfactory settlements with some or all of the defendants at any stage of the process, but if settlement efforts prove unproductive, we are fully prepared to go to trial to win the compensation our clients deserve.
In a personal injury lawsuit after an oil tanker crash, you may seek compensation for all your losses, including:
We will pursue recovery of the maximum damages we can for you, either through a fair settlement or at trial.
At the Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont, we represent people injured in oil tanker truck accidents throughout Texas. We accept cases on a contingent basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless you do. To schedule a consultation with one of our qualified professionals, call 409-212-9994 or contact us online.