Any accident involving a large truck can be devastating. When that truck is transporting fuel, the consequences can be especially harmful due to its toxic, flammable cargo. Any oil, diesel, or gas that the truck is carrying could ignite during the crash and cause a fire or an explosion. Anyone involved in the accident or near the truck could suffer life-altering injuries.

If you were injured in an accident with a fuel truck in Savannah and someone else is to blame, you could be entitled to compensation for any losses you suffered as a result. The skilled fuel truck accident lawyers at Spiva Law Group can help you demand the justice you deserve. Contact our offices today to speak with a Savannah fuel truck accident lawyer about your case.

What Causes Fuel Truck Accidents?

Tanker trucks transport hazardous cargo such as chemicals, oil, and gas. Many fuel tankers carry flammable or explosive liquids. Tanker trucks are also more likely to cause rollover accidents than some other types of large commercial trucks due to their distinct design.

Some of the most common causes of fuel truck accidents in Georgia include the following:

Distracted driving
Impaired driving
Fatigued driving
Speeding
Tailgating
Unsafe lane changes
Hazardous conditions
Mechanical failures

Because large fuel trucks pose a serious risk to motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, truck drivers and trucking companies must take extra care to ensure the safety of other road users. They should be held financially responsible when their negligence causes others to be injured.

What Should You Do After a Savannah Fuel Truck Accident?

If you were hurt in an accident with a fuel truck, you should take the following steps to protect your health and your rights to compensation:

Call 911 – If you can, pull over to a safe location and call emergency responders to the scene. Police officers will create an accident report containing useful information for your insurance claim. Paramedics can begin treating any injuries you may have suffered.
Collect evidence – If you can, take photos of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, debris at the scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and the whole accident scene. Try to get pictures from different angles, including close-up photos and wide shots. You should also speak to nearby witnesses and ask for their contact information.
Seek medical attention – If you aren’t taken to the hospital, you should still be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Accidents involving tanker trucks often result in serious, permanent injuries. Not all your injuries may be immediately apparent, and they might be worse than you initially thought. Most insurance companies also require you to be evaluated by a physician within 72 hours of an accident. If you don’t, they could deny your claim.
Gather documents – In addition to the evidence you collected at the scene, you should also gather your medical records, accident reports, hospital bills, pay stubs, and other documentary evidence that can be used to support your claim. You should also keep a pain journal that details your recovery and includes notes about your level of physical pain each day.
Stay off social media – Insurance companies are notorious for searching through victims’ social media profiles for evidence they can use to shift blame against them. Never talk or speculate about the accident on social media until your case is resolved.
Get a lawyer – You should hire a seasoned fuel truck accident attorney to handle your case for you. Truck accidents can be incredibly complex, and trucking companies are represented by armies of lawyers. It’s always wise to secure legal representation before starting the claims process.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Savannah Fuel Truck Accident?

Truck accidents tend to be more complicated than typical car accidents because of the number of potentially liable parties involved. Depending on the accident, you might be able to hold the following parties responsible for your injuries and losses:

The truck driver
The trucking company
The truck’s owner, if the truck is leased
A third-party maintenance company
Cargo loaders
Defective part manufacturers

To bring a successful claim against the at-fault parties, you must establish negligence. A skilled Savannah fuel truck accident attorney can gather additional evidence, such as the truck’s black box, truck driver logs, cell phone data, travel receipts, and surveillance camera footage. They can use this evidence to prove the at-fault party was responsible for the crash.

What Sort of Compensation Is Available for a Fuel Truck Accident Claim?

Truck accident victims may be eligible to claim compensation for financial and non-financial losses they suffered in the accident. If you were injured in a truck accident, you could seek financial relief for:

Medical costs
Lost income
Future lost income
Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Property damage

Can Damages Be Capped for a Fuel Truck Accident Claim?

There is generally no cap on the amount of financial or non-financial damages you can recover in a personal injury case in Georgia. If you win, the jury will decide how much compensation you should be awarded.

Contact a Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer In Savannah, GA Today

Did you suffer injuries in a fuel truck accident in Savannah, GA? At Spiva Law Group, we will manage every aspect of your case so that you can focus on recovering. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. There are no up-front costs to working with any of our experienced Savannah fuel truck accident lawyers. Here are some large truck accident statistics. Our truck accident lawyers also handle other cases involving semi-truck accidents.