The most common reasons behind truck accidents are driver error, improper cargo loading, or improper vehicle maintenance. However, sometimes defective truck parts cause accidents or make accidents more dangerous and cause more serious injuries than they otherwise would. For example, truck fuel tank design presents extreme safety concerns given that the current design standard is inherently susceptible to explosion. Many fuel tanks are places on the outside of the truck for aesthetic purposes. However, this positioning puts the tank at huge risk of exploding in the case of a collision with another automobile or with a median. The resulting high-density explosion will likely be fatal for both the truck driver and other drivers and passenger in vehicles involved. If you have been injured or have a loved one who was killed due to an exploding truck fuel tank, call a Coweta County trucking accident attorney to help you file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
In the United States, there are 80 to 100 burn deaths every year for occupants of heavy trucks or other vehicles involved in crashes with semi tractor trailers. Most of these deaths are caused by a truck’s fuel tank either exploding on impact or leaking fuel. In both situations, the result is an intense explosion of heat and flame. Even though extensive improvements have been made on fuel tanks for smaller passenger vehicles, little to no improvements have been made on semi truck fuel tanks. Many experts are conducting studies to expose the dangers of fuel tank placement and to lobby for safety improvements. Until the trucking industry listens, however, the danger of exploding fuel tanks is very real.
If you are injured in a trucking accident, regardless of what caused the accident, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced truck accident lawyer to investigate your case. An attorney at Shane Smith Law will work for you to ensure you recover for your injuries. Call today at (980) 246-2656 to schedule a consultation.