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Oilfield Truck Accidents in Texas

Texas oilfield truck accident lawyer

Texas oilfield truck accidents are far too common and, frankly, terrifying. With the Lone Star State’s oil and gas industry booming, these types of vehicle collisions are happening on our highways and remote rural roads more frequently than they should. If you’ve been involved in a Texas oilfield truck accident, understanding your rights and what to do can be the difference between a smooth recovery and getting taken advantage of by the other side.

Why Texas Oilfield Truck Accidents Are So Perilous

These accidents, which occur all too frequently in Texas, involve large trucks and other specialized vehicles used for drilling operations, transporting drilling equipment, and providing oilfield support. When you think about it, these incidents tend to involve:

  • Oil tanker trucks with hazardous materials
  • Semi-trucks carrying all sorts of equipment
  • Water haulers and sand frackers
  • Specialized oilfield equipment trucks
  • Oversized load haulers

These massive vehicles are tearing up the roads in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Barnett Shale, posing a significant risk, even on highways and backroads.

Common Causes of Texas Oilfield Truck Accidents

Understanding what causes these accidents is the first step to preventing them and figuring out who was at fault:

1. Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Screw-Ups

These oilfield operations run 24/7, pushing truck drivers to their limits. Many Texas oilfield truck accidents can be attributed to a simple fact: drivers are often exhausted, working long hours without breaks and violating federal hours-of-service rules.

2. Poor Vehicle Maintenance and Equipment Failure

These oilfield trucks are under a lot of pressure, and it takes a literal toll. Common mechanical failures that lead to Texas oilfield truck accidents include:

  • Brake system failures from poor maintenance
  • Tire blowouts from overloading
  • Steering malfunctions from neglect
  • Defective trailer hitches that just give out

3. Drivers Being Plain Reckless or Negligent

Speed-related crashes are super common in Texas oilfield country, where drivers are under pressure to meet those tight deadlines. We’re talking distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, and a whole lot of other preventable mistakes.

4. Texas Weather – You Can’t Control It

We all know that Texas weather can change rapidly, making driving particularly hazardous. Oilfield truck accidents can happen at any time, especially during:

  • Thunderstorms that pop up out of nowhere
  • Dense fog that hits you in the morning
  • High winds that just sweep across the plains
  • Ice and freezing conditions that sneak up on you in the winter

5. Drivers Not Having a Clue About Operations

Many Texas oilfield truck accidents occur because drivers lack training on the specialized equipment, the hazards of hauling chemicals, or the safety procedures of the oilfield.

6. Overloaded or Poorly Hauling Cargo

Trucks that haul way too much or with not enough care can be deadly on our roads, leading to rollovers, lost cargo, and multi-car pileups.

What to Do After a Texas Oilfield Truck Accident

The steps you take immediately after a Texas oilfield truck accident can have a big impact on your health, your safety, and any chance of getting compensation:

  1. Make Sure Everyone is Safe First

Get to a safe place away from traffic, turn on hazard lights, and put out warning triangles if you have them – especially if you’re on a narrow road with no visibility.

  1. Call 911 and Get a Report

Contact local law enforcement ASAP; you will need a police report for your claim. Request that the officers record every detail, including truck information, company details, and all other relevant information.

  1. See a Doctor – Right Away

Many serious injuries from oilfield truck accidents don’t manifest right away, so get to a doctor as soon as you can, even if you feel fine. This is crucial for creating a paper trail linking the accident to your injuries.

  1. Document Everything

If you can, go around and gather evidence at the scene:

  • Take pictures of the truck damage, skid marks, road damage, and the weather.\
  • Get shots of the truck company info, DOT numbers, and license plates.\
  • Note any hazardous materials or spills.\
  • Record the weather and lighting conditions.\
  • Get contact info for the other driver, any witnesses, and passengers.
  1. Tell Your Employer What Happened

If the accident happened at work or as part of your Job, report it to your boss as soon as you can to cover your back on workers’ comp and legal rights.

  1. Get an Experienced Lawyer on the Job

Before talking to insurance companies, get an attorney specializing in oilfield truck accidents in Texas on your side. They’ll protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

  1. Keep All the Evidence

Hang on to every piece of paper, every photo, and every other bit of evidence from your accident.

The Devastating Consequences of Texas Oilfield Truck Accidents

Texas oilfield truck accidents are no joke – they can result in some truly horrific injuries that change people’s lives forever.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

A serious TBI in an oilfield truck accident can leave you with a concussion, a skull fracture, brain contusions, or even a severe TBI that requires long-term care. The terrifying force of oilfield truck collisions is often enough to cause spinal fractures, herniated discs, and serious spinal cord damage, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.

Severe Orthopedic Injuries

The people who get hurt in oilfield truck accidents often suffer from:

  • A bunch of broken bones that require surgery
  • Crushed limbs that might need to be amputated
  • Real bad damage to the joints
  • Extensive injuries to the soft tissue

Burn Injuries and Chemical Exposure

Many Texas oilfield truck accidents get out of hand and end up with fires or spills of hazardous materials – this can cause:

  • Severe burns from high heat
  • Chemical burns from petroleum products
  • Respiratory damage from sucking in toxic fumes
  • Long-term health problems that can hang around for a long time

Psychological Trauma

It’s not just the physical injuries that can haunt people who survive oilfield truck accidents – they often go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions that need constant treatment.

Wrongful Death

Tragically, a lot of Texas oilfield truck accidents result in people losing their lives, which leaves families with devastating losses and potentially pursuing wrongful death claims.

Who’s Liable for Your Texas Oilfield Truck Accident?

Sorting out who’s to blame in an oilfield truck accident is a real mess and can involve heaps of different parties:

  • Truck drivers who were acting recklessly or breaking traffic laws
  • Trucking companies are responsible for picking and training their staff, as well as making sure they supervise them correctly
  • Oilfield service companies that owned or leased the vehicles in question
  • Maintenance providers who were supposed to keep the vehicles in good working order, but failed to do so
  • Parts manufacturers whose faulty parts caused the vehicles to malfunction in the first place
  • Cargo loading companies are responsible for making sure that the cargo is properly secured and loaded
  • Third-party contractors who are involved in the oilfield operations

A seasoned Texas oilfield truck accident lawyer will dig through all the potential parties to make sure you get the best possible outcome.

Compensation Available for Texas Oilfield Truck Accident Victims

If you’ve been in an oilfield truck accident in Texas, you may be able to recover compensation like:

  • Medical expenses: All the treatment, surgery, physio, and medication you need – past and future
  • Lost wages: The income you’ve lost while you’ve been recovering and the potential reduction to your future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain as well as the emotional distress you’ve had to put up with
  • Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle
  • Disability and disfigurement: Compensation for any permanent impairments
  • Loss of quality of life: The impact on your daily activities and relationships
  • Punitive damages: In cases where the defendant was reckless or malicious

Why You Need a Texas Oilfield Truck Accident Lawyer

Oilfield truck accidents in Texas are a complex mess – they involve numerous regulations, multiple insurance policies, and wealthy corporate defendants. You need a lawyer who is:

  • Familiar with the federal and Texas trucking regulations
  • Has experience with the oilfield industry and its practices
  • Can dig up all the parties who are liable and figure out what insurance is covering them
  • Knows what evidence is crucial and how to go about preserving it
  • Will fight against the dodgy tactics that insurance companies are so famous for using
  • Can accurately figure out the full amount of damages you’re owed, including all the future losses

 

Contact the UNDEFEATED Texas Truck Accident Lawyer for Help

Oilfield truck accidents in Texas pose significant challenges; however, with knowledge and awareness, individuals can effectively respond to these emergencies and safeguard their rights. By consulting a top truck accident lawyer and taking immediate steps, individuals can confidently navigate the aftermath of an accident and pursue the compensation they deserve.

(281) 893-0760

 

Related Resources:

Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston

I-45 Truck Accident Lawyers

Interstate 10 Truck Accident Lawyer

 

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About Greg Baumgartner

Truck accident lawyer Greg Baumgartner
Greg Baumgartner is a preeminent rated personal injury lawyer based in Houston, Texas, with over three decades of experience representing severely injured clients in truck accidents. He founded Baumgartner Law Firm, in 1985, with a mission to provide excellent legal representation and personalized attention to every client.