Did you know that the leading cause of worker fatalities in oil industry accidents is actually highway trucking accidents? According to the CDC, slightly less than half of the oilfield workers who died between 2003 and 2008 were killed in transportation accidents. This means that oilfield workers are at a higher risk of highway accidents than the general population (highway accidents only make up a fifth of nationwide fatalities. Our attorneys serving Las Cruces have compiled the following information about vehicle and transportation accidents in the oilfield. Las Cruces attorneys here at Carabin Shaw want you to know the risks of working in this major local industry. Read on to find out why transportation accidents are so common in the oil and gas profession.
Why are There so Many Transportation Accidents Happening Lately in the Oil and Gas Industry?Transportation accidents in the oil and gas industry are on the rise, and there are a few reasons for this. Over the course of the next decade, an estimated 200,000 new oil and gas wells are expected to be built. The majority of these new wells will have hydraulic fracking, requiring millions of gallons of water to function.
A major reason that so many Las Cruces oilfield accidents – and oilfield accidents in other cities – occur on the highway is that all of this water must be transported to the wells via large tanker trucks. The equipment used in the oilfields must also be transported by trucks driven by oil and gas workers. This means that more and more oil workers are driving on highways, increasing their odds of being in a crash significantly.
Problems With Transportation Safety RegulationsMaking matters even worse is the fact that oil and gas workers who drive large trucks for their jobs aren’t held to the same safety guidelines that govern other truckers. There are exceptions to highway safety regulations in place for oil and gas workers, and these exceptions are doing more harm than good. According to a New York Times report on this issue, many truckers who were interviewed said that these exceptions are regularly used to pressure them into driving trucks after working 20-hour shifts.
In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board has gone on the record and said that it “strongly opposed” oilfield exceptions because they are raising the risk of accidents and crashes.
Choosing the Right Lawyer After Your Work Injury in Las CrucesIf you’ve been hurt on the job in Las Cruces and need an attorney for your oilfield injury claim, it’s crucial to hire the best possible New Mexico oilfield accident attorney. Here at Carabin Shaw, our Las Cruces accident lawyers have been handling cases like yours for more than two decades. Our team of talented Las Cruces oilfield injury attorneys have a winning track record, and more than 200 years of combined legal experience. We’ve recovered more than $500 million in damages for our clients, and we know how to maximize the value of your personal injury claim. If you’re looking for a lawyer who believes in keeping you informed and at ease at every step in the claim process, look no further than Carabin Shaw.
Your initial consultation with a work injury attorney serving Las Cruces is free, and there is no obligation – meaning you have nothing to lose by giving us a call. So call us today for a free consultation at 915-779-2301 to find out what our experienced lawyers at Carabin Shaw can do for you.