Oilfields can be incredibly dangerous places to work. There are hazardous substances around every corner, heavy machinery in use, and large trucks transporting materials. Trucking accidents on oilfields are an all-too-common occurrence and can cause severe injuries. There are countless reasons for oilfield trucking accidents, such as driver negligence and improper maintenance.
Here, we address some of the most frequent causes of oilfield trucking collisions and the injuries they cause.
Common Causes of Oilfield Trucking Wrecks
Conditions on an oilfield are precarious for any worker on the site. Tight spaces and winding roads make for dangerous driving conditions for drivers and pedestrians alike. Workers may be run over, or a truck may cause an explosion when hitting an oil well.
Some of the most common causes of oilfield trucking accidents include:
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is dangerous for any motorist, but especially those transporting hazardous materials. Oilfield truckers carry dangerous loads on heavy trucks. Falling asleep at the wheel can be deadly for the driver and any person they hit. Drivers are often expected to work long hours in and out of the cab. These hours are often well above federal guidelines for truckers because companies want to earn profit rather than prioritize safety. Many of these truckers are exempt from the federal guidelines that govern other drivers, further increasing the danger of exhausted oil truck drivers.
Driver fatigue especially increases the chances of fatal head-on collisions. Truck drivers who fall asleep are likelier to cross the center line or median and into oncoming traffic.
Inexperienced Truck Drivers
Too many companies fail to train their truck drivers properly. It takes a lot of experience and training to drive a large commercial vehicle safely. This is even more true for oil truck drivers, as they are often carrying liquid cargo.
Oil companies frequently hire inexperienced drivers because they are desperate for workers in a difficult hiring environment. It can be challenging to acquire enough qualified truck drivers for the company’s needs. Instead of finding proper solutions to this problem, many companies place inexperienced drivers behind the wheel. This causes catastrophic injuries and even deadly accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in the country. The same is often true for oilfield truck drivers. Distracted driving is frequently caused by:
- Eating and drinking while driving
- Talking on the phone or radio
- Texting while driving
- Reading a GPS or map
- Dealing with a pet or passenger in the truck cab
- Watching videos while driving
Improper Loading
Trucks carry large and heavy loads. Proper loading and securement of these loads are critical to avoiding an accident. Oilfield trucks that are only partially filled are more unstable. They are more likely to tip or sway while on the road, and inexperienced drivers especially may be unable to compensate. Improperly secured loads may fall off or tip to the side, creating extremely dangerous driving conditions.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Commercial drivers are trained to operate safely and within applicable speed limits. However, this does not mean that they will follow the speed limit. Many drivers exceed the speed limit to meet delivery deadlines or finish their day faster. Whatever the reason, driving a multi-ton vehicle filled with oil over the speed limit can have disastrous results.
The same is true of other types of reckless driving. Many truck drivers:
- Change lanes without checking blind spots or signaling
- Engage in road rage behaviors
- Weave through traffic
- Tailgate other drivers
Truck drivers cannot brake as fast as drivers of smaller vehicles. It takes longer to stop such a heavy load, and drivers should account for this. Speeding often makes it impossible for drivers to stop quickly, causing dangerous rear-end accidents.
Improper Truck Maintenance
Large oil trucks require regular and thorough maintenance. Responsible companies follow a regular maintenance schedule to keep trucks in safe condition. Drivers are supposed to inspect their vehicles for any discoverable issues, and a regular maintenance plan can help detect potential problems before they create an accident.
The reality is often different. Companies may not have a regular maintenance schedule in place. More often skirt over issues until they know there is a problem. This is commonly done to save money and keep trucks on the road making deliveries. This can lead to incidents that cause crashes, such as:
- Blown tires or tire shredding
- Brake failure
- Insufficient reflective material or hazardous material markings
- Broken headlights or taillights
- Loss of control due to steering problems
- Detachment of cargo or trailer
Injuries From Oilfield Truck Accidents
Oilfield truck accidents can lead to devastating and even deadly injuries. These injuries may include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Severe burns
- Loss of limbs and amputation
- Blindness or loss of hearing
- Death
When these injuries occur, an injured person may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. If the victim worked during the accident, they may recover through the workers’ compensation system. An experienced personal injury attorney understands the nuances of these cases and the best way to proceed in a particular case.
How Companies Should Help Reduce Oilfield Truck Injuries
Oil companies have a lot of resources. Responsible companies focus their resources and make efforts to limit oilfield trucking accidents. Training and prevention can often reduce the prevalence of these incidents. Better-trained drivers are more aware of potential hazards and the causes of truck accidents. Training often includes:
- Driving simulators for oilfield operation
- Training for dealing with tight oil well spaces
- Fatigued driver mitigation and training
- Specialized training for transporting hazardous materials
No training will eliminate every accident, but it can certainly help. Sadly, too many companies that can provide this training choose not to do so to save time and money.
Recovering After an Oilfield Trucking Accident
Whatever the cause of an oilfield truck accident, the consequences can be severe. Long-term injuries and even wrongful death occur in serious cases. An injured person may have the right to financial recovery from the driver, their employer, or through the workers’ compensation system.
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