The roads in Corpus Christi, Texas, and nearby areas are suffering the side effects of hydraulic fracturing. The heavy equipment and frequent use of the roads leading to the Eagle Ford Shale formation mean extreme wear and tear. When this combines with the potential for fatigued truck drivers, residents and workers alike face a dangerous situation.
Hydraulic Fracturing’s Toll on the Roads
The hydraulic fracturing process (also known as “fracking”) requires significant amounts of heavy materials such as water, which weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon. In most cases, the water and other materials are brought to the wells by truck. In fact, one well can add the equivalent of 8 million car trips to the roads leading back and forth. The trucks travel over roads that have not been designed for such intense use, causing damage such as narrow patches of road, drop-offs at the edges and potholes.
Local and state governments are ill-prepared to pay for the damage to the roads or to rebuild a new network of stronger roads. The industry has not paid for all the damage the trucks have caused. While both the private and public sectors are studying the problem and seeking solutions, many of the roads remain in dangerously poor repair.
Long Hours and Heavy Loads for Texas Truck Drivers
A blend of roads in disrepair and truckers suffering from fatigue could lead to serious accidents.
Numerous accidents involving trucks occur because of driver fatigue. Fatigue causes delayed reactions and reflexes. When the roads are not well maintained, a driver who is exhausted is less likely to navigate the terrain with due care.
It is difficult for many industries to find qualified truck drivers, which can lead to a push for longer working hours. Federal law provides strict requirements for hours worked for trucks of a certain weight, although smaller trucks do not face the same rules.
Additional accident risks are presented by the materials and equipment the trucks are carrying to and from the Texas oil fields. These materials make the trucks heavier and more dangerous to drivers in smaller vehicles.
Texas drivers who survive crashes with large trucks often face severe injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. Until the crumbling roads receive the attention they need, Texans should drive with extra care near the oil fields.
Source:
- Eagle Ford Shale: Amid the oil boom, roads go bust
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
