Dangerous Pipeline Accidents: Important Statistics You Need to Know

There is no denying that pipelines play a key role in the transportation of various materials, like oil, gasoline, and natural gas, throughout the United States. However, those pipelines do not come without major hazards. When they are not cared for properly or face some sort of problem, they can become extremely dangerous and destructive.

The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration released data to the public that takes a closer look at dangerous pipeline incidents from 1986 to 2013. In order for an incident to be considered "significant" by the agency, someone must have been hospitalized or killed, damages amounted to more than $50,000, more than 5 barrels of highly volatile substances or 50 barrels of other liquid were released, or where the liquid exploded or burned. The information the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration found was quite interesting:

• Since 1986, oil has been the most commonly spilled hazardous liquid with over 2 million barrels spilled. Oil is so far ahead any other substance, that the next closest is natural gas liquid with just over 500,000 barrels. Other spilled substances include gasoline, "other", diesel, propane, liquefied gases and jet fuel.
• The major reasons for dangerous pipeline accidents include excavation damage, corrosion, metal failure, natural force damage, other outside force damage, incorrect operation and various other causes.
• Pipeline incidents have occurred in nearly every state, but Texas has more incidents than the lowest 30 states combined.
• There have been about 300 pipeline incidents on average every single year since 1986. These have resulted in more than 500 deaths, more than 2,300 injuries, and nearly $7 billion in damage.

Were you one of the individuals who were injured by a dangerous pipeline in Texas, Oklahoma or Arkansas? Contact the dangerous pipeline attorneys at The Girards Law Firm today for a free consultation at 888.897.2762.