California Tanker Truck Injury Lawyers

Tanker Truck accident attorneys in California

Tanker trucks are large vehicles in which the tanks are frequently filled with some kind of liquefied load, often gasoline. While most tankers do not exceed 10,000 gallons, some may be carrying as much as 12,000 gallons.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) places strict regulations on cargo tanks, and the California Air Resources Board also monitors the emissions of tanker trucks. The contents of a tanker truck can place both people and the environment at risk when one is involved in a motor vehicle accident affecting the tanker.

California Tanker Truck Accident Attorney

If you sustained catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a tanker truck accident in California, you are right to want some measure of justice for the hardships you face because of somebody else’s negligence. The May Firm can help you obtain all of the compensation you are entitled to.

Our firm has offices in Chula Vista, Santa Barbara, Long Beach, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Santa Maria. Call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.

Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents

The simple length and overall size of a tanker truck means that it can be involved in a great number of accidents. Many other drivers can become involved in such accidents when a tanker is swung out dramatically from the tractor unit.

Among the many kinds of tanker truck accidents, the most common include, but are not limited to:

• Rollover Accidents
• Jackknife Accidents
• Wide-Turning Accidents
• Blocking Accidents
• Underride Accidents
• Overloaded Vehicles
• Intersection Accidents
• T-Bone Collisions
• Override Accidents
• Head-On Collisions
• Rear-End Collisions

Whatever kind of tanker truck accident you are involved in, the May Firm will be quick to investigate the scene of the crash and maintenance records of the tanker truck. Our firm knows which types of records to preserve before a trucking company can destroy them.

Drivers are frequently at fault for tanker truck crashes, but that is not always the case. Some of the different causes of tanker truck accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Mechanical defects
• Failure to maintain vehicle
• Brake failure
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol
• Driver fatigue
• Overloaded trailers
• Inadequate driver training
• Unsecured loads
• Inclement weather

With a tanker truck, the driver is rarely going to have the personal automobile insurance limits needed to pay appropriate damages. Fortunately, the owner of the truck—and possibly many other parties—could also be liable in these cases.

Types of Tanker Truck Accident Injuries

Many tanker trucks are carrying gasoline, but the load could also be other industrial chemicals in some cases. When such tanker truck contents become involved in a motor vehicle accident, it increases the likelihood of devastating fires.

As a result of these extreme dangers, some tanker truck accident victims suffer second-degree or third-degree burns that may dramatically impact their physical appearances. Chemical burns can also be the result of contact with other chemical substances carried by tanker trucks.

Even when the contents of a tanker truck do not come into play, the size of the tractors alone is enough to cause significant injuries. Some of the most common kinds of injuries in tanker truck accidents cases include, but are not limited to:

• Fractures
• Sprains
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Lacerations
• Muscle strains
• Internal organ injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis

A tanker truck company could be very quick to dispatch agents to the scene of a crash, and you should generally avoid speaking to these people until you have legal representation. Do not sign any paperwork that you are presented at the scene of the accident or in your hospital room until it has been reviewed by an attorney.

You should also avoid discussing your accident with an insurance company. Some people believe they are capable of negotiating their own settlements and then ultimately settle for figures that fail to account for many future costs that the victims then must pay out of their own pocket.

You can avoid this outcome by quickly turning to the May Firm. We can speak to insurance companies on your behalf and protect your legal rights.

Contact a Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer in California

Did you suffer severe injuries or was your loved one killed in a tanker truck accident in California? Do not be scared of reaching out for the help you need and deserve.

The May Firm will travel to your home or hospital room by request. We can provide a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.