Why Are Truck Accidents Increasing on Texas Oil and Gas Routes? What Injured Victims Need to Know

Texas’s booming oil and gas industry keeps thousands of commercial truck drivers employed and busy, moving across the state every day. However, increased truck traffic on Texas’s rural highways and other energy corridors contributes to a rise in serious car accidents. If you’ve been injured in one of these collisions, speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible can help you understand your legal options and protect your rights as you pursue a personal injury claim.

Whether the accident involved a tanker, a flatbed, or a heavy commercial vehicle, the Texas oilfield truck accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw understand the unique challenges that these wrecks present and can help victims pursue compensation for their injuries. If you’ve been recently injured in a serious accident, contact our top law firm today to schedule your FREE case review.

The production of oil and gas in Texas depends on thousands of commercial trucks that transport heavy equipment, crude oil, water, sand, and other materials needed for extraction and refinement. Heavy traffic places strain on roads often designed for lighter use, and accidents can occur in these areas due to the following:

• Increased commercial truck traffic
• Narrow highways with limited shoulder space
• Driver fatigue
• Speeding to meet demanding delivery schedules
• Poor or inadequate road maintenance due to heavy vehicle loads
• Reduced visibility from dust, weather, or nighttime driving

The conditions above contribute to many oil and gas route accidents in Texas, particularly in areas experiencing rapid development.

Commercial trucking companies, including contractors and drivers, have a legal responsibility to operate safely. When they fail to do so, they may be liable for any injuries caused by their negligence. An experienced lawyer can help determine liability and preserve relevant evidence for a personal injury claim.

Some of the most common causes of serious injuries include:

• Distracted or impaired driving
• Improperly secured cargo
• Mechanical failures due to poor or inadequate maintenance
• Overloaded trucks and trailers
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Inadequate driver training

A Texas truck accident lawyer can investigate driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, witness statements, and other evidence to determine the cause of a collision. Many of these accidents occur along busy routes, which can complicate liability.

Determining fault and liability after a truck accident can be complicated. In fact, it’s rarely as simple as driver error. Texas personal injury law follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means multiple parties, including the injured person, could be held liable for an accident. As long as the injured person is not found more than 50% liable for the accident, they can pursue compensation.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, liability could extend to several parties, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• Oilfield contractors
• Cargo loading companies
• Vehicle maintenance providers
• Manufacturers of defective parts

A Texas 18-wheeler accident attorney can identify every potentially liable party and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages allowed by Texas law.

After you’ve been injured in a truck accident, your actions can significantly affect your potential claim. If possible, you should:

1. Seek immediate medical treatment and follow all physician advice.
2. Report the crash to law enforcement.
3. Preserve photographs, video, and contact information for witnesses.
4. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters.
5. Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Federal safety regulations are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These regulations require commercial truck operators to follow strict rules regarding driver qualifications, vehicle inspections, and hours of service.

If you’ve been hurt, don’t wait to speak with a lawyer. You can read our law firm’s client reviews to learn how we’ve helped injured people across Texas. We proudly offer a free case review, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Recovering from an accident can be a stressful process, but having an experienced semi-truck accident attorney on your side can help ease that stress.

You can call toll-free, anytime (24/7): 1-800-862-1260. Someone is available to speak with you in both English and Spanish. You can also contact us online to discuss your situation.

For more information:

• Texas Statutes 33
• FMCSA