The Role of Sand Haulers in Oil Production ![A Permian Basin Pipeline]()
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Sand haulers are specialized commercial vehicles that are essential to the oil field operations in the Permian Basin. These massive vehicles transport large containers of “frac sand,” a crucial component of hydraulic fracturing oil production in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The Permian Basin is the highest-producing oil field in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, requiring millions of tons of frac sand annually.
Special Considerations for Sand Haulers
Operating a sand hauler in New Mexico and the Permian Basin requires many special considerations due to the oversized nature and extreme weight of the vehicles. While hauling frac sand, trucks can weigh over 80,000 pounds and be up to 70 feet long, which is about the same weight as 20 Ford F-150s and the length equally the height of a seven-story building. Due to their weight and length, sand haulers require more distance to stop, a larger turn radius, and have larger blind spots.
Additionally, the 24/7 operations of the oil fields and competition in the oil field services industry often push sand hauler drivers beyond their limits. When the demands on drivers are added to the size and weight of the vehicles, driver fatigue often results. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration indicates driver fatigue is a leading factor in commercial vehicle wrecks.
Sand Hauler Wrecks and Injuries ![A Sand Hauler Truck in New Mexico]()
Due to their overwhelming size and weight, when a sand hauler collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often devastating. Occupants of passenger motor vehicles often sustain severe injuries and even death due to the weight disparities between the vehicles. Common injuries in sand hauler accidents include traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and, far too often, death. Route 285 and Highway 128 in southeastern New Mexico see a great deal of sand haulers and other oil field traffic, resulting in an increased probability of fatal accidents.
Considerations for Sand Hauler Victims
Accidents with commercial motor vehicles, including sand haulers, are different from a typical auto collision in several ways. Several layers of individuals and entities must be pursued, including the truck driver, the driver’s employer, the sand mining operation that loaded the sand hauler, the well operator that requested the frac sand delivery, and the government entities responsible for road maintenance. Additionally, any incident involving a sand hauler requires immediate investigation so that valuable evidence is not lost.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an incident with a sand hauler in the Permian Basin, it is crucial to immediately contact a law firm with the power and experience to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
