Greenville Fuel Tanker Accident Lawyer
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The Greenville truck accident attorneys of Hammack Law Firm provide top-notch representation for individuals hurt in truck accidents in our community and beyond. We have more than two decades of experience handling cases like yours, and in particular, cases involving large commercial vehicles like fuel tanker trucks. These massive, heavy vehicles are commonly found on the roads and highways in Greenville, and a collision involving one can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Accidents involving tanker trucks can be particularly devastating because of the fuel that they carry. After a collision, the truck and fuel could explode, ignite and cause a dangerous fire, or otherwise cause extremely severe injuries to those involved in the crash. If you’ve been hurt due to the negligence of a tanker truck driver, the company that hired them, or another party, you need a legal team with the right experience and resources to help you get justice and fair compensation.
Hammack Law Firm has become the trusted name in truck accident litigation in Greenville and across South Carolina. Let us put our experience and skill to work for you. Call us at 864-528-0166 or reach out to us online to schedule your free and confidential consultation with a knowledgeable and compassionate member of our team today.
I Was Hurt in a Collision With a Tanker Truck. Do I Need a Lawyer?
Yes, it is recommended that you hire a lawyer right away to represent you if you were hurt in a collision with a tanker truck. Accidents involving tanker trucks are widely recognized as being particularly hazardous. This led the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to designate tankers as the only commercial trucks that are regulated regardless of their size and weight. In every other case, commercial trucks only fall under the FMCSA’s jurisdiction if they weigh 10,000 pounds or more.
The FMCSA recognizes that tanker trucks are more likely to roll over or jackknife on the road, especially if the liquid inside the tank sloshes around and destabilizes the vehicle. Also, fuel is highly flammable and prone to explode when pressurized, which can make an already dangerous accident even worse.
Because of these factors, an accident can and often does result in severe injuries to those involved. If you’ve been hurt in a crash with a fuel tanker, be sure to hire a lawyer to represent you. The driver will likely have an employer, insurance company, or both working on their side to shift blame and avoid liability, so you will need an aggressive advocate on your side as well.
Why Should I Choose Hammack Law Firm to Handle My Case?
In the aftermath of a severe injury accident involving a tanker truck, there is plenty on the line. Your health, your financial future, and your family’s stability are often impacted severely by the negligent actions of another party. You should never have to pay out of your own pocket for someone else’s carelessness or poor decisions, but it unfortunately happens all the time.
With Hammack Law Firm on your side, you can rest easier knowing that you have a legal team with the right experience to handle your case. Attorney Paul Hammack has fifteen years of experience handling trucking insurance cases on the defense side, and extensive experience handling injury claims on the plaintiff’s side. He feels strongly about fighting for the rights of those who’ve been hurt in truck accidents: it is this very conviction that made him change the focus of his firm.
Because trucking accident claims can be complex and might involve multiple responsible parties, you need a lawyer with specific experience handling truck accident claims. Not all lawyers have this experience, and hiring someone who does not have the right knowledge or resources could cause irreparable harm to your valid injury claim.
Instead, choose a firm that can see your case through to the end, and who is committed to seeking the maximum compensation on your behalf. Choose Hammack Law Firm and pursue the justice you need.
Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents
The companies responsible for transporting fuel in tanker trucks have a responsibility to maintain their fleet of vehicles and to hire, train, and supervise the drivers who operate them. Drivers must remain alert at all times and operate their vehicles with care and caution to prevent the truck and its hazardous cargo from causing others harm. Some of the most common causes of fuel truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Intoxicated driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Inexperience
A trucking company could be responsible for an accident if they:
- Improper or overfilling of the tank
- Fail to perform adequate background checks on drivers
- Fail to properly train the driver
- Failure to perform regular safety inspections
- Improper maintenance
- Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines resulting in fatigue or reckless driving
Along with the driver or the trucking company, other parties could potentially be held liable for a trucking accident, including:
- Third-party companies responsible for maintenance or repairs
- Third party companies responsible for filling the tank
- Municipal entities if a defective road caused the crash
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers if a defective design or part caused the crash
Because determining the cause of a crash and the parties responsible can be challenging, it is vital to have an attorney with experience investigating these types of collisions on your side. An experienced truck accident lawyer will know what to look for, where to get the information and evidence needed, and how to build a convincing case on your behalf.
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Common Injuries Resulting From Fuel Truck Accidents
Tanker trucks are top-heavy vehicles that can easily roll over or jackknife, causing severe injuries. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles often means that occupants of smaller passenger vehicles nearby could suffer severe and catastrophic injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spine and spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones and disfiguring lacerations
- Lost limbs
- Polytrauma
- Whiplash and neck injuries
Due to the hazardous nature of the cargo they carry, victims of collisions with tanker trucks commonly suffer other injuries, including:
- Burns from fire
- Explosion injuries
- Smoke inhalation
Many of the injuries above could result in permanent disability or might require months or years’ worth of treatment and recovery, including multiple surgeries and rehabilitation. Survivors of these crashes often count themselves lucky to be alive, but also might face a significant uphill battle to rebuild their lives.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We know you likely have questions if you or a loved one were hurt in a collision with a tanker truck. We’re ready to help. Call us at 864-528-0166 to schedule a consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. In the meantime, please read the answers to these frequently asked questions below:
How long do I have to file my injury claim?
For any personal injury case (including those involving collisions with tanker trucks), South Carolina gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This law is codified under S.C. Code Ann. section 15-3-530.
While three years might seem like a long time, you will likely want to hire an attorney to represent you right away. It is crucial to investigate the crash right away before crucial evidence is lost, destroyed, or cleaned up, and it takes time to build a persuasive case.
Remember that a majority of injury claims are settled out of court. Still, you’ll want to give your legal team ample time to work on your case and ensure that they have time to get your lawsuit filed before the statute of limitations runs out.
What types of compensation am I entitled to?
Only after reviewing the specifics of your case could an attorney tell you what damages you might be owed. In general, however, injury victims could be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills and treatment expenses
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs/replacement
- Lost earnings (if disabled)
- Home modifications
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain, suffering, and post-traumatic stress
If your loved one died in a crash involving a fuel tanker, you and other surviving relatives might be eligible to recover compensation through a wrongful death action. This compensation could cover final medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial and emotional support, and other damages.
How much will it cost me to hire Hammack Law Firm to represent me?
We represent clients on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you won’t pay us anything up front to represent you. We believe that truck accident victims need excellent legal representation by attorneys with expensive experience in trucking accident cases, and money should never be a deciding factor on hiring a qualified attorney to fight for you. We only collect when we win money for you. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us a thing.
Contact a Greenville Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer Now
Let our experienced truck accident attorneys put their decades of experience to work for you. It is our goal to get you the maximum compensation possible to help you on your long road to recovery. If a truck driver, trucking company, or another party’s negligence led to a serious injury accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help right away.
Our consultations are free, and you’ll never pay us a single penny until we win money for you. Call us at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 or fill out a contact form to speak with us right away.
Ask a Question, Describe Your Situation,
Request a Consultation
Contact Us Today For a Free Case Consultation
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