Oil Field Truck Accident Attorneys in Midland, Texas

Many people believe—rightly—that working on an oil field comes with its dangers. Yet, many people don’t know that the vast majority of those injured on oil fields are injured in oil field truck accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, two-thirds of all oilfield worker fatalities can be linked to oil field transportation accidents. These accidents can leave victims with serious injuries, lost wages, and immense pain and suffering damages. Long work hours, improperly-maintained vehicles, negligent driving, and driver illness or incompetence can all contribute to oil field truck accidents.

If you or a loved one was hurt in an oil field truck accident in Midland, Texas, reach out to the Cooper Law Firm, oil field trucking accident attorneys. Our firm can evaluate your case, estimate your damages, and fight to help you seek the settlement you may deserve under the law. Learn more about your rights. Contact the Cooper Law Firm today.

Causes of Oil Field Trucking Accidents in Midland, Texas 

The causes of oil field trucking accidents are similar to the causes of trucking accidents outside the oil field. However, when oil field trucking accidents occur, they can involve hazardous chemicals or flammable liquids that can make these accidents far more serious. Oil field truckers also must sometimes drive their vehicles in hazardous conditions. Roads may not always be paved. There might be hazards due to drilling. Add to this the fact that sometimes equipment isn’t properly maintained and you have a recipe for disaster. Here are some common causes of oil field trucking accidents in Midland, Texas:

• Truck drivers who work the oil field may be pressured to work long hours. While federal hours of service laws restrict the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road, oil field truck drivers may be exempt from these laws, meaning that companies can pressure drivers to work longer hours. Driving while fatigued has been shown to be just as deadly as driving while under the influence of alcohol. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident on an oil field, the Cooper Law Firm in Midland, Texas can investigate whether driver fatigue may have played a role in the accident.
• Problems with the Truck. Trucks carry heavy weights. Brake failure or tire failure can result in much more serious consequences, especially when a truck driver is moving around flammable or hazardous substances. Truck companies sometimes cut corners by neglecting to maintain their vehicles. The result can be blown tires, brake failure, and other serious problems which can lead to injury and loss of life. The Cooper Law Firm are oil field trucking accident attorneys in Midland, Texas who can review maintenance schedules and determine whether the oil field failed to keep its equipment in working order.
• Driver Error. Truck drivers who work the oil field are prone to the same errors all other drivers are subject to. These drivers might be tempted to drink and drive, might be tempted to check their cell phones while driving, or they may fail to obey the rules of the road. When drivers make deadly errors behind the wheel, they could be held responsible for the damage they cause.
• Negligent Hiring Practices. In order to hold a commercial driver’s license, truck drivers must meet certain safety and medical requirements. Yet, sometimes truck companies fail to properly vet drivers. When this happens, drivers may be hired who may not be qualified to be behind the wheel. They could be taking medications that can interfere with their ability to drive. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident in Midland, Texas, consider speaking to the Cooper Law Firm today. We can investigate the various causes that could have contributed to your accident.

Truck drivers who work in the oil fields face unique challenges and hazards. As more accidents occur, some people have started to call Route 285, the “death highway.” Many have called Route 285 the deadliest highway in the U.S. because of the number of oil field trucking accidents that occur on this stretch of road. Alarmingly, the workers alone are not the only people at risk. Innocent drivers on the road also can suffer injuries when truck drivers make mistakes. The oil industry may be allowing fatigued and inexperienced drivers on these roads, which many claim are not properly maintained and are not designed to handle oil field traffic. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an oil field truck accident in Midland, Texas, contact the Cooper Law Firm. We can help you seek justice for your injuries and losses.

Oil Field Accident Lawyer in Midland, Texas 

While trucking accidents are the most common type of oil field accident, explosions, fires, gas leaks, dangerous equipment, improper training, slip and fall accidents, and exposure to toxic chemicals can also lead to oil field injuries. These accidents can leave victims suffering serious burns, disfigurement, paralysis, head trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, internal injuries, and illness. If you or a loved one was hurt in an oil field accident, you may have certain rights under the law. The Cooper Law Firm can determine whether you have been classified as an employee or independent contractor and pursue your case within the fullest extent of the law. In some instances, workers are misclassified and are entitled to receive worker’s compensation and in other instances workers are entitled to seek damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Oil field accident claims can get complex because there may be many stakeholders involved.

Oil field accidents can be devastating for families because they can happen suddenly. In the aftermath of an explosion or fire on an oil field, sometimes victims are not found. In other cases, victims must suffer weeks to months of painful burn treatments and may have to live for the rest of their lives with the disfiguring effect of their accident. Families may struggle to make ends meet after a loved one is hurt on the oilfield. If you or a loved one was injured on the job, contact the oil field accident lawyers in Midland, Texas at the Cooper Law Firm today.

Protect Your Rights 

Some oil field injuries are not always detected right away. Toxic chemical exposure can take weeks to months and sometimes even years before it becomes apparent. Victims can suffer breathing problems, rashes, burns, develop cancer, or die. There have been cases where oil field workers have brought home traces of toxic chemicals on their clothes, making their families ill as well. If you suspect that toxic oil field chemical exposure may have resulted in your illness or the illness of a loved one, protect your rights.

The Cooper Law Firm are oil field accident lawyers in Midland, Texas who work closely with victims and families who have suffered losses due to oil field accidents. The oil industry makes billions a year. When companies fail to protect workers or when workers get hurt on the job, oil companies may have a responsibility to pay workers’ medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. Visit our firm today to protect your rights.