
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.
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:
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.
Understanding what causes these accidents is the first step to preventing them and figuring out who was at fault:
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.
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:
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.
We all know that Texas weather can change rapidly, making driving particularly hazardous. Oilfield truck accidents can happen at any time, especially during:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
If you can, go around and gather evidence at the scene:
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.
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.
Hang on to every piece of paper, every photo, and every other bit of evidence from your accident.
Texas oilfield truck accidents are no joke – they can result in some truly horrific injuries that change people’s lives forever.
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.
The people who get hurt in oilfield truck accidents often suffer from:
Many Texas oilfield truck accidents get out of hand and end up with fires or spills of hazardous materials – this can cause:
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.
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.
Sorting out who’s to blame in an oilfield truck accident is a real mess and can involve heaps of different parties:
If you’ve been in an oilfield truck accident in Texas, you may be able to recover compensation like:
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:
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.
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