For the most part truckers in different industries follow the same rules of operation. However, depending on what those trucks are used for there may be some variations. For example, there are certain aspects of oilfield truck accidents that differ from typical 18-wheeler wrecks, and those differences can make a truck accident case against them more complex. So what someone do if they are injured in a crash with a Texas oilfield truck?

Answer: Victims of oilfield crashes should first get medical treatment for any injuries, and in instances of severe injury they should also seek out an experienced attorney. That attorney should have the necessary qualifications to protect the victim's rights, the resources to properly investigate a complex accident, and lastly, proper experience in successfully resolving oilfield truck accident cases.

In this article we will look in more detail at the frequency of oilfield accidents, some of their common causes, and what oilfield truck accident victims can do after being hurt in a crash.

How Common are Oilfield Truck Accidents?

According to 2023 statistics put together by TxDOT, more than 80,000 traffic accidents happened in or around the Lone Star State's five major energy regions—Barnett Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, Anadarko Basin, Haynesville/Bossier Shale, and Permian Basin. Over a thousand people died in those crashes, and 3,578 injuries were reported as well.

If TxDOT's numbers are accurate (and I have no cause to doubt them), that means crashes in those energy regions made up roughly a quarter of all Texas roadway deaths in 2023. If even a small portion of these fatalities involve oilfield trucks, that is still a lot of deaths and serious injuries. There are plenty of hazards in oilfield work that could easily contribute to major truck accidents.

What are Some Common Causes of Oilfield Truck Accidents?

In the same report that provided the statistics above, TxDOT said that failure to control speed and driver inattention were the leading contributors to those accidents. Neither of those is surprising; a lot of people speed everywhere they go, and people check their phones almost constantly in any context. Even if those factors may be statistically common, though, there are others that prudent investigators will look into as well.

Trucker Fatigue

Oilfield truck drivers often face long shifts, irregular schedules, and pressure to haul loads as quickly as possible. Those demands can lead to serious driver fatigue, which is one of the leading causes of truck accidents—and yet, oilfield drivers actually have greater latitude to keep driving than truckers for other industries do.

In fact, the FMCSA exempts oilfield drivers from some of the hours-of-service rules that truckers in most other industries must follow. Here are a few key differences between oilfield drivers and other truckers:

• A typical commercial truck driver has to be off-duty for 34 hours after working 60 total hours during a seven-day stretch. However, an oilfield truck driver only has to take off 24 hours before they can reset their available driving hours.
• An oilfield driver can split up their mandatory 10-hour rest break, and only has to spend two consecutive hours in their sleeper berth or an on-site sleep facility.
• Maybe the biggest difference is that oilfield drivers can effectively "pause" their on-duty time while they wait at a worksite. Most truck drivers are forced by regulations to log wait times as on-duty, but oil drivers don't have to thanks to this "oilfield exemption." That may be good for their paychecks, but even though they're off-duty they probably won't rest as the truck is loaded or unloaded.

Poorly Maintained Roads and Equipment

Oilfield drivers often operate on rough, unpaved roads in remote areas. That takes a serious toll even on large industrial trucks, and oilfield transports endure those punishing conditions almost constantly. If companies cut costs by skipping crucial vehicle maintenance or failing to improve road conditions, drivers are more exposed to rollovers, tire blowouts, brake failures, and other serious mechanical issues. In isolated areas like many well sites, help might also be far away if something goes wrong.

Unqualified Drivers

This isn't exactly unique to oil companies, but some have been known to hire just about anyone who can fog a mirror to operate their trucks—especially in flush periods where there's a lot to do. Some drivers may even have multiple serious accidents or drug abuse on their records, which regulations say should disqualify them from the start. The companies' lax attitude toward vetting and training their drivers puts everyone at risk, including members of the public who might encounter that truck on the road.

Only Investigation Will Learn the Whole Story

As TxDOT explains, the most common explanation for an oilfield truck accident, or just about any other auto accident, is human error. Speeding and distraction cause a disproportionately large number of crashes between vehicles of every shape and size. However, other factors like the ones listed above can't be dismissed out of hand. A careful and thorough investigation is always warranted, because its outcome may show there's more to the story—and more parties partly or even fully responsible for the accident's devastating outcome.

Who is Liable for an Accident with an Oilfield Truck?

If an oilfield truck causes an accident for one reason or another, like a tired driver or a faulty truck, then there may be some confusion about exactly who is responsible for the damage. Here are some important considerations when trying to determine liability:

• What really happened? This is may be the most obvious question of a crash investigation, but it's also the most important—and the answer is often more complex than people think. Found through careful investigation and clear evidence, it may affect or even fully change who is liable.
• Who employs the driver? Is the oilfield driver employed directly by the company whose equipment he's hauling, or does that company contract out its transportation needs? Did the driver's employer properly vet him before hiring, and does it require physicals and drug tests?
• Who owns the truck? It's likely the answer to this is the same as to the previous question, but it's best to be sure. Does the oil company have its own fleet, or does it lease trucks from elsewhere?
• Who maintains the truck? Many companies with trucks may have third-party garages or mechanics take care of them. Those parties may share some blame if a truck they're responsible for malfunctions and causes a crash.
• Who loaded the freight? Drilling equipment tends to be large and extremely heavy, and securing it properly to a trailer is (or should be) a high safety priority. Sometimes, though, the equipment shifts or breaks free of its bonds and causes a serious wreck. In those cases it's important to find out who put the gear on the trailer and strapped it down.

That's not a complete list of details to iron out, but the answers to each of those questions may show that someone specific dropped the ball in a way that led to serious harm. Anyone with a hand in hurting an oilfield truck accident victim should answer for the part they played.

Grossman Law Can Help

There may be a few differences in how an oilfield truck driver operates, but if he causes a major accident then what follows will be similar to other commercial truck wrecks. We've worked on hundreds of truck cases over the past decades, and in every single cases but one the company behind a negligent driver or a malfunctioning truck refused to admit any fault. Oil companies have an awful lot to lose, and they'll fight tooth and nail not to sacrifice any of it to liability.

That's when it's best to have a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer by your side. The attorneys at Grossman Law have dealt with all kinds of commercial truck crashes, and being based in Texas has given them additional hands-on experience dealing with oil and gas related claims. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident with an oilfield truck, reach out to Grossman Law today for a free and confidential consultation. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to discuss your situation.