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Independent Terminal Operator vs. Company Terminal: What’s the Difference?

Independent Terminal Operator vs. Company Terminal: What’s the Difference?

Terminal operators receive petroleum products from a refinery and store them until they are picked up by a truck for delivery to a retail customer. While some petroleum companies operate their own terminals, others outsource this function to an independent terminal operator.

This distinction is crucial because, if an accident ever occurs at the terminal, whether or not the petroleum company owned and operated the terminal will be pivotal to determining liability.

Who’s Liable for Accidents at Independent Terminals?

Liability will depend on what exactly caused the accident. The independent terminal operator can be liable if or when any of the following contributed to the incident and resulting injuries:

  • Policies and procedures
  • Failures to comply with terminal regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Failure to properly train employees
  • Failure to properly maintain equipment
  • Dangerous premises

In these cases, the petroleum company would generally have little to no liability, meaning that the independent terminal operator would likely be on the hook to pay victims for their injuries, losses, and suffering.

During your FREE consultation, we will explain your legal options. Free virtual and mobile consultations are available to anyone who cannot visit our offices. We represent truckers and others in all types of truck wreck cases.

Who’s Liable for Accidents at Company Terminals?

Again, liability will fall with the party who’s responsible for causing the accident. In the event, the policies, oversights, or negligence of the petroleum company played a role in causing the accident, the company can be held responsible for the resulting damage and harm.

Here, it’s important to point out that multiple parties can be liable for terminal accidents and that:

  • All liable parties can be responsible for compensating victims for their medical bills, lost wages, and more.
  • Identifying all liable parties is pivotal to ensuring victims get the full financial recoveries to which they’re entitled.
  • All sorts of evidence can be helpful in proving liability in these cases, including bills of laden, company records, data from electronic onboard records on trucks, and much more.

Hurt on the Job at a Terminal?  How to Find Out If Your Terminal Accident Involved an Independent or Company Terminal?

The best way to identify who owns and operates a terminal—and who is at fault for your accident—is to contact the Amaro Law Firm. We offer free, confidential consultations with zero obligations. We do this to help accident survivors and families get the advice they need to protect their rights and get on the road to recovery.

So, if you’ve been hurt at a terminal or in any type of truck wreck, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here for you, ready to help.

Hurt in a Truck Accident? Contact the Amaro Law Firm For Help

An experienced truck accident lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm is ready to:

  • Explain your legal options for financial recovery
  • Identify all liable parties if you have a claim
  • Provide superior advocacy at every step moving forward if you choose to partner with us.

Call (713) 955-5521 or Contact Us
for a Free, Confidential, No-Obligation Case Evaluation

Truck Wreck Attorneys of The Amaro Law Firm’s record of success and exceptional advocacy in truck accident cases has earned us 5-star ratings on Google and Facebookglowing testimonials from former clients, and a 10 rating on Avvo.

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