Gillette Cargo Spill Accident Lawyers

Cargo Spills in Gillette, Wyoming

Cargo that spills out of trucks can cause a disaster, affecting other drivers and passengers sharing the road. Tractor-trailers carry loads weighing thousands of pounds. If the cargo falls from a truck, it can cause serious injuries by either hitting another vehicle (or pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist), or by creating a dangerous obstacle for other drivers sharing the roadway.

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Types of Cargo Spills from Wyoming Trucks

Truckers in Wyoming haul all types of cargo. Spills can occur when trucks are not properly loaded, when loads are not properly secured, or when a truck rolls over, jackknifes, or crashes. The following types of cargo are spilled on Wyoming roads:

• Oil: In 2020, oil and gas companies reported 613 spills, as reported in the Star Tribune. Altogether, companies reported spilling approximately 32,149 barrels of produced water and 951 barrels of other materials, in addition to 4,671 barrels of oil.
• Coal: When coal is transported by any means, it is always accompanied by a certain amount of dust. Exposure to coal dust can cause serious lung disease. A coal cargo spill can impact the environment as well as human beings in the vicinity.
• Logs: The logging industry plays an important role in Wyoming’s economy. Log-hauling trucks are a common sight on the roadways. When gigantic logs fall off a truck for any reason, it can be a terrifying sight to other motorists in the vicinity. Logs can roll across the road, hitting and crushing vehicles and people in their path.
• Hazardous materials: Cargo spills from tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials can be extremely dangerous. In addition to injuries resulting from the accident that caused the spill, other motorists, pedestrians, and people nearby can suffer injuries from exposure to hazardous materials, or from fires and explosions caused by the spill.

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Causes of Cargo Spills

Cargo spills from trucks occur for different reasons. One of the most common causes is improperly loading or improperly securing the cargo. Semi tractor-trailers can carry tens of thousands of pounds of products or materials. If the truck is overloaded or the load is improperly secured, the cargo may shift in transit. This can cause the truck to roll over or jackknife.

In the case of a tanker truck, underfilling the tank can pose a serious danger. When the tank is not properly filled, liquid cargo can slosh around, destabilizing the truck. This can also lead to rollovers, jackknifing, and other types of truck accidents.

When a truck is involved in a crash, the cargo it is hauling is more likely to spill. Falling cargo may strike other vehicles or cause an obstacle in the road that other drivers swerve to avoid, potentially leading to multi-vehicle pileups. When hazardous materials spill out onto the roadway, it can cause explosions, fires, or exposure to toxic or radioactive materials.

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How to Pursue Compensation for Cargo Spill Injuries

If you have been injured in a cargo spill in Gillette that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your losses from the at-fault party or parties. Your best chance of recovering full and fair compensation is to have an experienced Campbell County truck accident lawyer by your side.

At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., our Gillette personal injury attorney works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us no fees unless we recover compensation for you. We make it our business to go out and get the evidence you need to support your claim, and to work hard to recover the maximum compensation available in your Campbell County truck accident case. Call us at (307) 257-7800 to schedule a free case strategy session.

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