Tanker Truck Accidents

tanker truck rollover accident

If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident involving a tanker truck we offer you our sincere condolences. Our team of truck accident attorneys at Fried Goldberg have years of experience handling large truck accidents, our firm is intimately aware of the challenges you may be facing right now.

If you have discovered this page while searching for guidance or assistance moving forward from a truck accident, you have come to the right place. We have helped hundreds of other families who have gone through this difficult and traumatic experience – we can help you, too!

According to the United States Department of Transportation, more than 500,000 truck accidents occur each year.

You are not alone, and you are not at fault.

If you want to discuss your options with a professional today, contact the attorneys at Fried Goldberg by calling 877-591-1801 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We are ready for your call.

Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents

A tanker truck accident generally happens quickly and without much warning. As with any type of collision, the consequences can be fatal or life-changing. We sympathize with the pain you have had to endure, and hope our services will help provide comfort and relief to you and your family.

A tanker truck accident can result from a range of causes. However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are three common myths about causes of tanker truck accidents:

 

Common Myths About Fuel and Tanker Truck Accidents

  • Bad Driving Conditions (i.e. weather, curves, etc.)
  • Inexperienced Drivers
  • Speed

While these factors can result in an accident, the FMCSA has revealed that 93 percent of accidents occur on dry roads, excessive speed is a factor in less than half of all tank rollovers and almost 38 percent of these rollovers involve drivers with more than 10 years of driving experience.

So, how do tanker truck accidents happen, how can you stay safe on the road?

 

Three Most Common Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents

  • Driver Errors
  • Vehicle Conditions
  • Size of Load

When you are sitting behind the wheel, you can never be too attentive. Though distracted driving is a hazard all occupants of the road should avoid, when truck drivers become distracted, the consequences can be more traumatic due to size and velocity.

If a tanker truck driver becomes distracted, driver errors can occur, such as drowsiness, texting while driving or eating while driving. According to the FMCSAone in five tank rollovers is due to a combination of drowsiness and inattentiveness.

The condition of the tanker truck and its load size can contribute to wrecks, as well. From faulty brakes to partial, over-sized or unsecured loads, it is imperative for truck drivers to ensure their vehicles are properly equipped for safe driving.

Each driver is responsible for their own actions on the road. While you are not responsible for another driver’s actions, you can do your part to follow the laws, pay attention to the road and drive safely.

Beware of Hazardous Materials

hazardous risks of tanker truck accidents

A tanker trunk is one of the most common methods to transport liquid cargo. Therefore, when a tanker truck accident occurs, the risk of injury can increase if the cargo is hazardous.

If you’re near a tanker truck, be cautious of the following indicators:

Leaks and Cargo Spills

If the tank becomes damaged in any way, the cargo may leak or spill along the road. The amount of cargo that leaks out and where it spills can determine the severity of the overall accident.

Chemical Burns

If you come into contact with hazardous leaked cargo, you could suffer a chemical burn, based on how hazardous the liquid is and how much of your skin it affects. Chemicals and materials are particularly dangerous when they are radioactive.

Toxic Fumes

If the chemicals are toxic enough, the fumes alone can be hazardous and direct contact isn’t necessary. Certain chemicals are unscented, and you could be inhaling a poisonous substance without knowing it.

Fires

The liquids carried by tanker trucks are often flammable. If the liquid spills onto the road and contacts other vehicles, it is a fire danger. Depending on how much of the liquid has spilled and how many other cars are involved in the wreck, the fire can spread quickly and become extremely deadly.

Explosions

Unfortunately, due to the hazardous cargo that is often carried by tanker trunks, when an accident occurs and the tank is punctured in any capacity, an explosion can occur. Explosions of this size can affect anyone within the vicinity.

While you may not be able to prevent a tanker truck accident, you can be aware of the dangers associated with this type of collision and possibly avoid the hazardous risks to better protect yourself.

After an Accident with a Tanker Truck

Following an accident with a tanker truck, your safety and the safety of others is most important. Remember, the truck’s cargo could be hazardous or radioactive, creating further damage and risk to your safety. Avoid contact with the cargo, should it leak, and call 9-1-1 as soon as possible.

Once your health and safety are no longer in jeopardy, contacting a truck accident attorney is highly recommended, especially if you plan to file a claim.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney

The attorneys at Fried Goldberg are here for you. Not only do we have decades of combined legal experience, we dedicate more than 95 percent of our time to helping those who have been involved in trucking accidents. You do not deserve to suffer for someone else’s mistake, and we want to help you move on with your life.

Contact us today by calling 877-591-1801 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. While a monetary settlement cannot undo the pain and inconvenience you have had to endure from a tanker truck accident, compensation can assist with medical costs, missed wages or damage. Let us be your advocates during this challenging time.

The Truck Accident Attorneys

The Truck Accident Attorneys at Fried Goldberg LLC devote at least 75% of their caseload to representing the victims of accidents involving tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles. Our extensive experience with the laws governing the trucking industry is the reason we are routinely successful at taking on trucking companies when someone is seriously injured.

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The Truck Accident Attorneys

The Truck Accident Attorneys at Fried Goldberg LLC devote at least 95% of their caseload to representing the victims of accidents involving tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles. Our extensive experience with the laws governing the trucking industry is the reason we are routinely successful at taking on trucking companies when someone is seriously injured.

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Our experienced attorneys have represented individuals who have been seriously injured. We are proud of the outstanding reputation we have within our industry and our track record of success, which sets us apart. In particular, we have recovered nearly $1 billion for our clients throughout the country.

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