Tanker Truck Accident Attorneys in Augusta
If you were hurt in an accident with a tanker truck, call Chris Hudson Law Group at (706) 863-6600 or fill in our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you right away.
Truck accidents usually cause more damage than regular car accidents. You likely sustained injuries, even if they are not immediately apparent. You might be unable to return to work right away and need ongoing medical treatment to heal. That’s why it’s essential to speak to a lawyer who specializes in truck accidents right away. They can help guide you through a process where others, such as the trucking company and their insurance company, will not have your best interests at heart.
At Chris Hudson Law Group, our truck accident lawyers have the experience and resources to pursue compensation on your behalf and hold the truck driver or trucking company liable for their negligence. You shouldn’t have to suffer any further when someone else was responsible for your injury and the resulting expenses.
The tanker truck accident attorneys of Chris Hudson Law Group know the devastating effects of a car crash. When the wreck involves a commercial truck, more significant injuries and fatalities can occur. Trucking companies and drivers must follow state laws and federal regulations to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, some will violate those laws and place other drivers and passengers in danger.
For a free consultation to learn more about our services and how we can help you after a collision with a tanker, call (706) 863-6600 today.
What Is a Tanker Truck?
Tanker trucks contain and transport cargo, such as fuel, gasoline, wastewater, chemicals, and other hazardous substances. They can also carry dry materials, such as fertilizers, agricultural waste, and grain.
Tankers are unlike other commercial trucks because they contain a cylindrical-shaped compartment instead of a flatbed or enclosed rectangular trailer. The cylinder provides a more stable environment, so there’s less pressure on the tank.
The type of tanker truck that companies use depends on the cargo being transported. The main types of tankers include:
- Food grade – The tank is made of stainless steel to provide a sanitary area to hold and transport food and special goods, such as organic products.
- Insulated – The tanker can maintain the right temperature for sensitive liquids, such as dairy.
- Pneumatic – A fully enclosed and vacuum-sealed tank is ideal for storing chemicals, building materials, and dry food. A pump and blower can empty the cargo underneath the compartment.
- Asphalt – Insulation and temperature control are necessary when carrying cargo that should remain hot. The tank might also contain a heating device.
- Agricultural – This type of tanker truck is often used to transport pesticides and fertilizers to agricultural sites.
Although helpful in transporting specific materials, tanker trucks also come with unique dangers. They can cause devastating damage in an accident with small cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Non-commercial drivers and passengers often suffer worse physical harm than truck drivers.
Tanker Truck Accident Complications
Chemical Leaks and Spills
A tanker can leak on impact with another vehicle. Toxic fumes could put the health of anyone in the vicinity at risk. Coughing, nausea, vomiting, and breathing problems are common symptoms of inhaling dangerous chemicals. Chemical burns are also likely if the tanker tips onto a car and the accident victim can’t escape. It might be necessary to evacuate the area so professionals can clean up the spill to prevent further injuries.
Fires and Explosions
When there’s an accident, it’s not uncommon for the tank to become punctured and leak the contents all over the road. Some hazardous substances can catch fire if they come in contact with heat or other elements, causing an explosion. Severe burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries from the blast could require painful and long-term treatment.
If you suffered burn injuries as a result of your tanker truck accident, a Chris Hudson Law Group lawyer who specializes in burn injury cases will be able to assist with your case.
Who’s Responsible for a Tanker Truck Accident?
Multiple parties could be at fault for an accident involving a tanker truck. Who you seek compensation from will depend on whether their actions contributed to the crash. Chris Hudson Law Group can investigate and collect evidence to determine who we should hold liable for your injuries.
The different parties that could be responsible for a tanker truck accident are:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Mechanics
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers
Negligence is typically a cause of motor vehicle accidents. When someone doesn’t take the necessary precautions to avoid causing harm to others, injuries and fatalities can occur. The most common examples of negligent actions that could lead to tanker truck crashes are:
- Failure to perform maintenance and repairs on the vehicle fleet
- Negligent hiring practices
- Reckless driving
- Faulty or malfunctioning truck parts
- Speeding
- Loading and storing toxic materials incorrectly
- Tailgating
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Lack of adequate training and supervision
If any of these or another factor caused the accident you were in, you should contact Chris Hudson Law Group. Our legal team has the experience and resources to track down eyewitnesses, secure traffic cam footage, and obtain other relevant evidence to show whose misconduct resulted in your injuries.
Insurance Claims for Truck Accidents
Insurance claims might seem easy to handle, but they can be complicated, confusing, and frustrating. It’s especially difficult if you’ve never filed one before. Insurance companies sometimes try to take advantage of unrepresented claimants. They might trick you into signing away your rights to the maximum possible settlement or call you for details about the accident to fish for proof that you might have caused it instead of their policyholder.
At Chris Hudson Law Group, our tanker truck accident attorneys know how to negotiate with insurance companies and protect our client’s rights. You can depend on us to take on this responsibility, so you don’t say or do something that negatively impacts the outcome of your claim.
Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to car insurance. That means the at-fault party becomes financially responsible for the victim’s injuries and losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Loss of quality of life
You can seek compensation for your losses by filing a claim with the trucking company’s insurance company. Federal law requires coverage with minimum liability limits, depending on the type of cargo and the weight of the truck. Toxic substances require at least $1 million or $5 in liability coverage, depending on the nature of the cargo.
Chris Hudson Law Group understands how important it is to recover the total settlement amount you need to compensate for your past and future losses. You shouldn’t be left with any bills to pay yourself. We can review the facts of your case and calculate a monetary value. Various factors could influence the amount of compensation we believe you deserve, such as:
- The type of injury you sustained
- Whether the injury is serious or minor
- The duration of medically necessary treatment
- The availability of evidence showing who was at fault for the accident
- The time you missed from work
- The total expenses resulting from the crash
- The estimated cost of your future treatment
- The effect of the injury on daily life
- The amount of insurance coverage on the at-fault party’s liability policy
- Any impairment or disability due to permanent physical or mental damage
We will explore all available legal options and work hard to seek the maximum compensation you deserve. Our team aggressively negotiates with insurance companies to settle claims and won’t back down without a fight. We’re not afraid to seek a fair settlement and take them to court if they refuse our demands.
Filing a Lawsuit for Compensation After a Tanker Truck Accident
There’s a two-year statute of limitations in Georgia if you want to sue someone for compensation following an accident. This timeframe begins on the date of the accident. That means if you don’t file your lawsuit within two years, you’ll lose your chance to hold the at-fault party liable for their negligent actions in court. It’s vital that you begin the legal process immediately after the truck accident so you don’t run out of time.
If a jury determines you were partially responsible for your injuries, they could reduce your monetary losses under the modified comparative negligence statute. That means if you share any fault for the accident, you could end up with much less compensation than you need to cover your losses. For example, if a jury determines you share 20% fault and incurred $100,000 in losses, the most compensation you could receive would be $80,000.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer from Chris Hudson Law Group
The truck accident attorneys of Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta, GA provide comprehensive legal services to accident victims. You will receive the one-on-one attention you deserve until the end of your case. When you hire us, we will treat you like a priority and offer the support and guidance necessary to help you make it through this traumatic time in your life.
You will have an experienced and dedicated advocate in your corner to fight for justice. We know what it takes to achieve a favorable outcome and hold people accountable for their wrongdoing. You can depend on our legal team to be there for you every step of the way and tirelessly work to recover an insurance settlement or favorable jury verdict for you.
Chris Hudson Law Group is available 24/7 to speak with you. You can reach us when you need us the most. Our legal professionals can answer your questions, update you on the status of your case, and set up appointments. You’ll never have to wait days or weeks for a return call. Customer service is of the utmost importance to us.
If you were involved in an accident with a tanker truck, contact Chris Hudson Law Group for help with your case. We’re ready to answer your call and review the facts of your case to determine if we can represent you.
We take all cases on contingency, so there are never upfront fees or costs.
Call Chris Hudson Law Group now at (706) 863-6600 for your free initial consultation. Let us help you get on the road to recovery.