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Texas and the oil and gas industry are heavily connected. Oil and gas is a major industry in our state. However, this economic boost often comes at the cost of safety. Texas had more fatal and injury-causing semi-truck accidents than any other state. In 2022, there were 584 fatal truck accidents and 5,846 injury accidents in Texas. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an oil tanker truck accident in Houston, reach out to a truck accident attorney from The Doan Law Firm for a free, no-obligation case review.
Oil and gas trucks create inherent risks because of the dangerous cargo they carry. Some of the potential dangers of these trucks and accidents involving them include:
When a truck carrying oil or gas crashes into another vehicle, explosions and fires can break out. Although truck drivers should know to drive more safely when carrying flammable and hazardous materials, this is sometimes not the case. Truck drivers can get tired or drive negligently, increasing the risk of serious injury or death to other motorists. In some situations, these fires or explosions can extend well beyond the initial accident site, putting others in danger.
When an oil truck causes an accident, oil can spill onto the roadway. Other motorists can lose control of their vehicles while traversing these slick surfaces, leading to secondary accidents. Oil spills can also lead to fires that cause additional damage.
Tanker trucks often take longer to stop due to their increased weight and size. If the truck cannot stop in time to avoid a collision, the brute force of a large vehicle filled with thousands of gallons of gas or oil can cause catastrophic results.
Oil and gas truck accidents often occur because of:
An experienced Houston car accident lawyer can investigate your case to determine its cause and who is responsible for it.
Because of the inherent risk of explosions, oil tankers must comply with the following federal rules:
46 U.S. Code § 3705 – Crude oil tanker minimum standards
(a)A new crude oil tanker of at least 20,000 deadweight tons shall be equipped with—
(1) protectively located segregated ballast tanks;
(2) a crude oil washing system; and
(3) a cargo tank protection system consisting of a fixed deck froth system and a fixed inert gas system.
(b)An existing crude oil tanker of at least 40,000 deadweight tons shall be equipped with—
(1) segregated ballast tanks; or
(2) a crude oil washing system.
Oil tankers that are heavier or older must comply with their own rules.
Oil tanker accidents can often lead to serious injuries and ongoing issues. Sometimes, accident victims may experience scarring or respiratory issues that require extensive medical treatment. Your damages may be considerable. A Houston oil and gas truck accident lawyer from The Doan Law Firm can help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today for your free case review.
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