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Tanker Truck Accidents

Miami Attorneys Representing Motor Vehicle Collision Victims

Any collision with a truck is likely to cause serious harm. But when the truck involved is a tanker truck, carrying highly flammable, hazardous, or otherwise dangerous liquids or cargo, the potential for a catastrophic or fatal injury mounts. The Miami truck accidents at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can assist South Florida residents who have been hurt or lost loved ones due to the carelessness of commercial drivers or their employers. We are dedicated to making sure that those responsible for devastating injuries or needless losses of life are held legally accountable for their actions.

Pursuing Compensation after a Tanker Truck Crash

If you have been involved in a collision with a tanker truck, depending on the situation, you may be entitled to damages through a personal injury lawsuit. To establish liability, a victim must usually show that the defendant, or defendants, breached a duty of care. Truck drivers not only are bound by all motorists’ duty of care to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act under similar circumstances, but also they must adhere to state and federal trucking regulations. A driver, or his or her employer, who is found to be in violation of a state or federal regulation would likely be found to have breached the duty of care.

For a victim to prevail in a negligence claim, the violation would need to be a direct and foreseeable cause of the crash. The injured person must also show that he or she incurred damages as a result. Once negligence is proven, damages that may be available often include past and future medical costs, lost income and earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If a tanker truck accident results in a tragic death, certain relatives may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to receive compensation for funeral and burial expenses, among other damages.

Due to the nature of these accidents, and the various parties with a stake in the outcome of the legal action, the spoliation of evidence is a factor to consider. Spoliation occurs when key evidence is altered, destroyed, or intentionally lost in an effort to avoid legal liability. If spoliation is found, courts may institute sanctions against culpable parties by entering default judgments, striking pleadings, or even sometimes dismissing claims.

Causes and Factors Involved in Tanker Truck Collisions

Although no two instances are the same, some commonalities exist regarding tanker truck accidents. Recurrent causes of these collisions include:

  • Improper loading of a tanker truck’s liquid cargo, which can cause extreme weight shifting and instability;
  • The tanker’s limited maneuverability due to its size and shape, which makes some roadways more dangerous for travel;
  • The brake systems used on tanker trucks, which require special knowledge that some truck drivers may not have;
  • Equipment failures; and
  • Driver inexperience or lack of training.

Tanker truck accidents can be particularly dangerous, especially if the cargo is hazardous material. If a tanker explodes, there may be severe burns. When these injuries are caused by a truck driver’s negligence, the driver as well as the trucking company should be held accountable.

Explore Your Options with a Miami Lawyer after a Truck Accident

If you or someone you love was hurt due to a negligent truck driver or company, the Miami truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can help you determine your next steps. Our motor vehicle collisions also can represent injured people in Miami, West Palm Beach, and other cities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your claim.


Client Reviews
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"Thank you to Robert Dixon & Kristopher Torres for an amazing experience handling with my first injury lawsuit. Very much hassle-free and down to earth experience working with this law firm. I would definitely use them again! My case was settled and I am satisfied with the results! Glad to have them fighting on my behalf." Diamond Epps
★★★★★
"This firm goes out of there way to make sure all of your needs are met. They are wonderful and within a year, my settlement was reached. In addition, I never waited more than a couple hours for someone to get back with me. I highly suggest this firm." Melissa Ellis
★★★★★
"I had the pleasure of working with attorney Torres when I was involved in a car accident last year. He was always checking up on me, always making sure that I was getting the proper treatment that I needed. Whenever I called the office everyone was so nice and willing to help me. I'm glad he was my attorney and thank you for such a wonderful service from you and your firm." Natalie J.
★★★★★
"I'd like to say that the Law Office of Robert Dixon has been great to work with since the inception of my case back in 2016. Robert and team made me feel rest assured that patience would constitute a much larger settlement and that truly was the case. ... I highly recommend this law firm for anyone needing help from a very compassionate team of hard workers. Thanks again everyone for this positive experience as this was my first time ever dealing with the courts or a law firm...." Paul Carlson
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"Jodie, Jennifer and the WHOLE Team are AWESOME! Everyone I have spoken to, have been very professional, patient and kind. The ladies take their time to ensure you understand everything that is happening every step of the way. Each time I would have a question, they were available via e-mail or a quick phone call." Nathalie Perez
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