Commercial Truck Spills 110 Barrels of Oil and Gas Byproduct in Williston
Earlier this month, a commercial truck operated by Wind River Oil Services was in an accident that resulted in a largescale spill of produced water. 110 barrels of this oil and gas byproduct were splattered onto State Highway 2, causing traffic to stop and releasing potentially dangerous materials into the atmosphere. Drainage and wetlands were affected, which is a stark reminder of the danger of commercial truck negligence and what can occur when a fatigued or distracted driver gets behind the wheel. Due to the boom in the Bakken Oil Fields, there are commercial trucks and big rigs on North Dakota roads and highways every day. Negligence and inattentive drivers are responsible for auto crashes, which are the number one cause of injury-related death in the state.
Poor training and distracted driving causes preventable commercial trucking accidents
Commercial truck drivers are often inadequately trained and sent out on the road before they are properly equipped to safely transport and deliver materials. Jackknifing and other crashes repeatedly occur, and with them an increase in the risk of injury to your personal vehicle and person. Distracted driving is also alarmingly common, especially among those who drive for a living. In North Dakota, commercial truck drivers face long expanses of lonesome road. Types of distracted driving can be manual, cognitive, or mental.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Texting while driving
- Reading while driving
- Taking your eyes off the road
- Generally not focusing on the road and the task at hand
- Drowsy driving
According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, 94% of auto accidents occur because of preventable human behavior. If you have been injured in an accident with a negligent truck driver, you will need to contact a Minot truck accident attorney posthaste to discuss your legal strategy. Commercial truck accidents are more complex than other car crashes. The owner of the vehicle is a company, and the driver is an employee. A professional commercial truck driver has more stringent standards than a personal car driver, which can make a personal injury suit against a company feel overwhelming. An honest and caring North Dakota truck accident attorney will help you understand your rights. Your pain and suffering is worth it, as are your medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
For those who have been injured by a negligent commercial truck driver, we sympathize with your situation. Too many North Dakotans are being hurt and killed from distracted, drowsy, or poorly trained truck drivers entrusted with large rigs and dangerous materials. At the Larson Law Firm, P.C., we know what it’s like to have insurmountable medical bills and be out of work due to an injury from a commercial truck. You need an honest and aggressive legal team that is ready to fight for your rights on and off the road. We offer free consultations and want to hear about your case. Please give us a call at 701-484-4878 or fill out our contact form.
Mark Larson is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist and Certified Civil Pre-Trial Specialist focusing on personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, and oil field claims. Since 1979, Larson Law Firm has served the injured throughout North Dakota. Read more about Mark V. Larson.