Oil Rig and Oilfield Accident Lawyer in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
At Hit by a Truck Call Chuck, our semi-truck accident attorneys have successfully provided legal solutions for big rig crash injury victims and their families throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas — including those that occur in and around oilfields.
Onshore oil rigs and oilfields — which are typically enormous, complex structures that can drill miles into the ground to access oil — are heavily dependent on semi-truck traffic from the start of the project, including the building phase, during production, and for distribution.
When accidents occur in oilfields, or traffic collisions with the construction vehicles, heavy machinery, or 18-wheelers that frequent these oil rig production sites, our personal injury, trucking, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death attorneys are here to help you and your family hold the liable parties accountable for your full financial recovery. Call Chuck today to learn more.
How are Oilfield Trucking Accidents Different from Other Semi-Truck Collisions?
Large trucks used in the oil and gas industries are much different than the 18-wheelers motorists share interstates, city streets, and rural roads with.
An oilfield truck driver provides the transport of materials to and from onshore oil rigs throughout the Southwest United States using specialized vehicles including flatbeds, hauling equipment, tankers, swab rigs, and vacuum trucks.
In addition to using specialty trucks, cranes, and other equipment to haul excess waste, water, salt, and other products to safely handle the hauling and disposal, the drivers who operate oilfield transport vehicles need additional skills beyond those required of over-the-road truckers.
The cargo for oilfield truck transport typically weighs anywhere from 80,000 to 110,000 pounds and may reach 130,000 pounds, with 60% of the items the company hauls being oversized or overweight loads.
What is more, large drilling rigs frequently require 80 to 110 loads to transport. This places heavy loads and potentially dangerous materials on the same interstates and roads other drivers use repeatedly, which could end in catastrophic accidents, severe injuries, and fatalities when a collision occurs.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Oil Rig and Oilfield Truck Accidents?
Oil rig and oilfield truck transport projects have dozens of moving parts. Multiple parties contract large trucks, including 18-wheelers, and other heavy hauling vehicles, for use in oilfields throughout Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
When a truck accident with one of these specialty trucks occurs because of negligence, one or more parties may be held liable for our clients’ truck accidents, injuries, or the losses of their loved ones.
These parties may include the:
- Construction Company Building the Oil Rig.
- Oil Company or its Subsidiaries.
- Oilfield Property Owners or Operators.
- Third-Party Contractors and Subcontractors.
- Transportation Company.
While most employers are responsible for complying with safety regulations, providing their workers with the proper equipment, and regularly conducting safety inspections on oilfield and oil rig properties, the at-fault party may change without notice, and again once the truck is in motion.
Training drivers on how to break down and assemble oil rigs is something most heavy equipment transporters learn on the job, which can leave extended room for error. In addition, heavy equipment hauling, from project logistics, break bulk shipping, container shipping, and less-than-container shipping by truck requires special equipment, strict compliance, and myriad safety procedures.
When any of these requirements are overlooked, bypassed, or purposefully not complied with, people are going to get hurt. When they do, our skilled truck accident, injury, and fatality attorneys in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are here to pursue the negligent party — or combination of parties — for each of our client’s full financial recovery.
If you have been injured in a collision or another accident caused by a truck driver, trucking company, or oil rig or oil field operation, call Chuck for help today.
Our Truck Accident Law Firm Also Provide Representation in The Following Practice Areas:
Hit By a Truck? Call Chuck for a Free Case Evaluation.
Obtaining full and complete compensation for our clients is the most important service we provide at the Ruhmann Law Firm, and we can pursue the same results for you and your family, starting with a free case assessment today by calling 915-845-4529 or contacting us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after an oilfield accident?
If you have been involved in an oilfield accident in El Paso you should, seek medical help, report the accident, document evidence, and contact an oilfield accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies.
What are the common causes of oil rig accidents?
Oil rig accidents often result from equipment failures, explosions, falls, human error, or lack of safety protocols.
Can I sue my employer for an oil rig injury?
In most cases, you must file a workers’ comp claim, but if negligence or a third party caused your injury, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
How long does it take to settle an oilfield accident case?
It varies. Some cases settle in months, while complex claims involving serious injuries or disputes may take longer.
What if my loved one was killed in an oilfield accident?
Families may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering.
How long do I have to file an oilfield injury lawsuit?
Each state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing an injury claim. The time frame in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona generally ranges from two to three years. However, exceptions may apply depending on your case details. Acting quickly to preserve evidence and secure your legal rights is crucial.
How does an attorney help in an oilfield accident case?
An experienced oilfield accident lawyer investigates the accident, gathers evidence, negotiates with insurance companies, and fights for the compensation you deserve. Hit by a Truck Call Chuck’s legal team understands the complexities of oilfield injury claims and will work tirelessly to protect your rights.
Can independent contractors file an oilfield accident claim?
Independent contractors can pursue compensation through personal injury claims if a company’s negligence caused their injuries.