St. Louis Fuel Tanker Accident Lawyer

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With the high need for fuel to keep our society functioning and the thriving natural gas and oil industries in the U.S., the nation’s highways are commonly filled with loaded tanker trucks carrying fuel into and out of communities—including St. Louis. While the transportation of fuel is a critical portion of our nation’s supply chain, an accident involving a fuel tanker truck is one of the most dangerous and potentially disastrous types of traffic accidents, commonly resulting in severe or catastrophic injuries, and sometimes tragic fatalities. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries or wrongful death in a fuel tanker accident in St. Louis, you need skilled representation to navigate a critical claim for the compensation you deserve.

St. louis fuel tanker accident lawyer

Why Hire Miller & Hine?

At Miller & Hine, we have a results-oriented approach that tailors every claim to the unique circumstances of each client’s case so we achieve the most favorable results with the maximum compensation available. Let your St. Louis truck accident attorney from Miller & Hine provide the following:

We do not charge injury victims upfront fees. Instead, you can expect a free consultation and no legal fees for our representation until after we recover your compensation through a settlement or in court.

Why Are Fuel Tanker Accidents So Deadly?

The largest fuel tanker trucks may carry up to 11,600 gallons of fuel. Common forms of liquid energy carried by fuel tankers include:

Regulations through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibit filling fuel tankers more than 97% full to allow for the expansion of flammable liquid in addition to other specialized regulations for transporting hazardous materials. Together with the truck, the trailer, and a filled tank, a fuel tanker may legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When an accident occurs, the massive size and weight of a commercial truck often cause devastation to smaller family cars in a collision. When a large tank of liquid fuel enters into the deadly mix, the danger escalates with the potential for fires, explosions, and toxic exposure to accident victims and nearby residents.

What Causes Fuel Tanker Accidents In St. Louis?

It takes a skilled, experienced driver and a well-maintained truck to safely transport hazardous materials such as fuel. Because commercial trucks cross state lines, the federal government puts many safety regulations in place through the FMCSA to minimize accidents. Unfortunately, it only takes one of the many entities involved in the freight industry to disregard a regulation or act negligently for an accident to occur. Common causes of fuel tanker truck accidents in Missouri and elsewhere include the following:

The sudden shifting of liquid fuel in a tanker sometimes causes a “slosh” effect which throws off the balance of the truck and trailer or a forward liquid surge when a driver brakes suddenly. Without careful handling, a slosh or surge can end in an accident. Fuel tankers are also top-heavy, making them more prone to tipping or rolling in an accident.

Types of Fuel Tanker Truck Accidents In Missouri

Fuel tankers navigate interstate highways, urban areas, and communities. Accidents often impact multiple vehicles or have adverse effects on entire communities due to explosions, toxic exposures, and fires. Common types of fuel tanker accidents include the following:

Injuries in tanker explosions are often severe or catastrophic, ending in multiple injuries and fatalities as well as massive property damage to vehicles, roadways, and sometimes entire communities.

Proving Liability for a Fuel Tanker Accident In St. Louis

When a truck accident occurs, it often takes an in-depth investigation to determine the cause of the accident, identify the negligence that led to the accident, and pinpoint the correct liable party and the appropriate insurance company with which to file a compensation claim. Common liable parties in St. Louis fuel tanker accidents include the following:

Less commonly, parties unrelated to the trucking industry may be liable for a tanker truck accident such as a negligent road maintenance agency that failed to repair a dangerous pothole or an obstructed sign. Proving liability requires documenting evidence showing that a breach of the duty of reasonable care occurred, the breach directly caused the accident and injuries, and the injury victim in the claim suffered damages.

What Damages Can I Recover In a Missouri Fuel Tanker Accident Claim?

Fuel tanker truck accidents are devasting to accident survivors. Injury victims may suffer substantial or life-altering physical and economic consequences. These consequences are their “damages” in an accident claim. Damages recovered in many fuel tanker accident claims include:

Often, other damages apply depending on the individual circumstances, such as traumatic limb loss, the loss of one of the senses, disfigurement compensation (often occurring in tanker truck burn victims) PTSD, or diminished quality of life. If a loved one died in a fuel tanker truck accident, close family members can recover compensation through a St. Louis wrongful death claim.

Call the Fuel Tanker Truck Accident Attorneys at Miller & Hine

The St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Miller & Hine have deep compassion for the victims of devastating tanker truck accidents. Let us help you through this difficult time by navigating the complex requirements of a successful compensation claim so you can focus on your physical and emotional healing. Your attorney from Miller & Hine is ready to be a voice for justice and financial accountability in your case.