Fracking Injury Attorney in Colorado

The practice of fracking – injecting water or other liquids at high pressure into underground rock to make it easier to extract oil or gas – has been both an economic boon for Colorado oil companies and the source of serious concerns from the public. In addition to the environmental damage caused by fracking, it can also be dangerous for workers and bystanders. Transporting oil or gas on large trucks can result in serious accidents and injuries.

If you’ve been injured while working in the fracking industry or by someone driving a fracking truck, you should talk to a Colorado fracking injury lawyer right away.

The Denver personal injury attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm have been fighting for the rights of accident victims for more than 40 years. We’ve helped our clients recover millions of dollars. We want to help you recover fair compensation for your injuries.

Get a free initial consultation by calling any of our Colorado locations or visiting our contact page.

Why Is Fracking Dangerous?

Any job that requires mining and heavy excavation equipment can be dangerous. Fracking is no exception.

The machinery involved in fracking operations can malfunction or explode if it’s improperly maintained. Pumping any liquid at high pressure is risky, especially when something breaks during the process. An explosion at a fracking site could lead to an extensive fire if the extracted fuel ignites. A workplace injury may qualify you for workers’ compensation, which could cover the cost of your injuries and missed work.

The natural gas and oil produced by fracking in Colorado have to be transported to the market. Often, companies use trucks to process and distribute the fuel, which carries its own risks. Accidents involving these trucks can cause horrific injuries to both truck drivers and other motorists.

Whether you were injured in a fracking accident at work or as an unrelated motorist, you might be owed compensation.

Common Risks Associated with Fracking Trucks

Like all large trucks, fracking trucks pose a major hazard for both truckers and others on the road. Some of the risks associated with fracking trucks include:

• Inexperienced or unqualified drivers – Because fracking has become a widely used energy source in the U.S., companies that engage in fracking often need workers to fill jobs immediately. This includes fracking truck operators. However, these trucks require extensive experience to drive safely. Unfortunately, energy companies often hire truck drivers with little or no experience, placing the driver and others at risk.
• Inadequate truck maintenance – Fracking trucks need to be adequately maintained to minimize the chance of a collision. If maintenance checks aren’t done correctly, a mechanical defect or worn part on a fracking truck could lead to a failure and a crash.
• Driver fatigue – Many oil and gas companies require their fracking workers to work extreme hours. This includes truck drivers. If fracking truck drivers aren’t adequately rested before getting behind the wheel, they’re much more likely to make a mistake that causes an accident.
• Tank and cargo errors – Trucks must be loaded carefully according to the manufacturer’s standards and federal trucking regulations. Since fracking trucks carry many loads, there’s ample opportunity for sloppy filling and loading errors. This could result in an imbalanced truck and a devastating wreck.

Why Are Fracking Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Large truck accidents are more dangerous than other motor vehicle accidents, regardless of what the truck hauls. A typical car weighs about 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, while an SUV or pickup may weigh closer to 5,000 to 6,000 pounds. A semi-truck with a trailer, on the other hand, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Semis are also longer and taller than cars, pickups, and SUVs. Together, these factors mean that when a semi-truck collides with another vehicle, it hits with much more force than you’d find in a collision between two cars.

In addition to these general semi-truck risks, fracking trucks are dangerous in ways particular to the field. Fracking trucks often carry either hazardous industrial chemicals used as part of the injection process or oil and gas that’s been pumped from the ground. These types of cargo are challenging to transport and can cause handling issues with a truck. If the tank is filled improperly, imbalanced, or leaking, the truck driver could lose control of their vehicle and set off a chain collision.

These wrecks can result in pileups of several vehicles, multiple injuries, and even fatalities. The truck driver, their employer, the fracking company, whoever filled the tank, and even the truck manufacturer could all be liable for the crash, depending on the circumstances. The complexity of all of the potential involvement of all these parties means that having an experienced Colorado fracking accident lawyer is all the more important.

What to Do After a Fracking Truck Accident in CO

If you’re involved in a fracking truck accident, it’s essential to take the right steps to protect your health and your right to demand compensation. Here’s what to do:

• Call 911 right away so that the police make an official accident report.
• Seek immediate medical treatment even if you have no visible injuries to check for internal and invisible damage.
• Gather as much evidence as you can from the scene. Take photos, videos, and write down the name of the truck driver, as well as their employer, owner of the truck, and any other details.
• Get witnesses’ names and contact information.
• Hold on to all your medical bills and records.
• Don’t say anything about the accident, especially to any insurance companies. Your best bet is to let a lawyer handle all communication on your behalf.
• Talk to a fracking injury attorney as soon as possible.

Contact a Fracking Accident Attorney in Colorado

Fracking accidents can inflict horrific injuries on victims. It’s crucial to hold fracking companies accountable for their reckless and negligent actions. You can demand fair compensation for your injuries if you were in a crash with a fracking truck.

To speak to the Colorado fracking injury lawyers at The Wilhite Law Firm for free and in confidence, call our office or fill out our contact form.