From our Morgantown personal injury offices in Morgantown, WV, the Robinette Legal Group, PLLC is well situated to represent truck drivers, passengers, and other motorists impacted by water truck accidents in North Central West Virginia.
With the growth of the development of the Marcellus Shale gas well drilling in West Virginia, especially in Doddridge, Taylor, Harrison, Marion, and Monongalia County rural areas, there has been a sudden influx of trucks and trucking accidents.
Many towns and small cities including Clarksburg, Grafton, and Shinnston have not had the time or resources to upgrade roads, traffic signals, and enforcement officials to keep pace with the boom of activity.
This, unfortunately, has led to a resulting boom in collisions causing serious injuries and fatal truck accidents, water truck accidents, and related well and pipeline construction vehicles.
West Virginia Commercial Water Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for these hard-working individuals in the oil and gas industry.
Each gas well needs to be serviced by company trucks delivering machinery, chemicals, supplies, sand, and water. Often, the flow back waste water, or produced water, needs to be trucked off-site for disposal.
Not only are the truckers themselves at risk but also other motorists on the highways and back roads are at risk for collisions causing injuries or death.
Common injuries resulting from water truck accidents include lower back pain, lacerations, bruising, shoulder separation, foot crush injuries, head fractures, and traumatic brain injury.
The techniques of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking or hydrofracking require thousands of truck trips for each area under development. The difference in size and weight between the cars and trucks makes a dangerous mix, especially at intersections. Due to their heavy size, these trucks can be slow traveling up our West Virginia highways, and impatient motorists often take risks to pass on curves and hills.
Federal safety standards are different for the trucks and truckers working for the oil and gas drilling industry; these rules for hours worked, and driver experience are less stringent than for tractor-trailer drivers. Trucking companies have trouble filling positions and sometimes hire inexperienced drivers and work them long hours for many days in succession. Truckers who have put in 16 to 20 hours working for the site still have to drive home after their shift is over in a highly fatigued condition. The exemptions allowed to gas and oil servicing trucking companies cause serious safety consequences to these drivers and other motorists on the roads.
Companies need to be held responsible for accidents caused by improper maintenance, failure to train drivers and workers, and overworking employees and contractors to the point of exhaustion.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by an energy company truck or a truck belonging to one of their contractors, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and future expenses related to your injuries or the untimely death of a loved one.
The Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, located in Morgantown is well situated to represent those injured throughout North Central West Virginia. Jeff Robinette and his legal team have successfully represented the most seriously injured as well as those families who have tragically lost a loved one. Call today for a free consultation: 304-594-1800 or after hours, 304-216-6695.
Robinette Legal Group PLLC
211 Everhart Dr, Ste 200
Morgantown, WV 26508
(304) 594-1800
Call us today to find out how we can help you.
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