Tanker Truck Accident Lawsuit In 2024 | Latest Guide to File a Claim
Every year, more than 500,000 truck-related crashes happen in the United States. Of this number, 4,000 people are killed, while more than 130,000 are injured. Approximately 25% of those trucks are tanker trucks that were loading harmless products, including fruit juice. However, the rest might haul dangerous contents, such as aviation fuel, nitrogen, gasoline, hydrogen, propane, and toxic chemicals. Filing a tanker truck accident lawsuit can help you recover the damages of the accident.
Unfortunately, when a tanker truck is involved in an accident, it can wreak havoc and destruction, leading to serious injuries and fatalities. While these trucks play an important role in transporting the products we depend on, we must recognize these vehicles for the dangers they present on the roads and highways.
Types of tanker trucks
Tanker trucks carry all sorts of liquid and non-liquid cargo. Some of them are benign, while others are hazardous. These include:
- Fertilizer.
- Gasoline and other fuel.
- Grains.
- Hazardous gas (nitrogen, hydrogen).
- Non-potable water.
- Produce.
- Toxic chemicals.
- Wastewater.
- Waste from agriculture or manufacturing.
Undoubtedly, the type of cargo in the tank adds to the risks of these already potentially dangerous vehicles. In case of accidents due to negligence, contacting the top lawyers will help you get a fair tanker truck accident lawsuit settlement.
Tanker truck regulations
Most states have taken steps to ensure that tanker trucks are monitored, and drivers are properly qualified to haul the tanker’s contents. For instance, tanker truck drivers must to pass a written examination as well as skill tests to acquire a commercial driver’s license (a CDL). It is required for all big truck drivers.
Tanker truck drivers also need to prove their skills and competency, take an additional test, and then receive authorization from the state to operate these kinds of trucks. On top of these, drivers who want to transport hazardous materials need to pass an additional written exam and demonstrate that they are proficient in tanker-specific skills. Finally, after successfully completing all the tasks, they receive their hazardous materials endorsement, allowing them to drive tankers hauling dangerous cargo.
Causes of tanker truck accident
These are the usual causes of tanker truck accidents across the United States:
Driver fatigue:
According to the large truck crash causation study, about 13 percent of collisions were due to the truck driver being tired or sleepy. Many people who are filing a tanker truck accident claim to recover damages from the accident allege this as the reason for their injury and losses.
Bad road conditions:
According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study, 20% of large truck accidents can be traced to bad road conditions. In addition, if there is debris on the road, tight turns, potholes, large puddles of standing water, or other problems, the likelihood of a crash increases.
Large blind spots:
As tanker trucks are extremely large vehicles, they have major blind spots. Even an attentive truck driver might find it hard to see vehicles or objects to the sides or behind the tanker truck.
Speeding and reckless driving:
If the driver of the tanker truck or any motorists around the vehicle is speeding, there is an extremely higher chance of a crash. According to a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards study, 23% of large truck crashes are the result of truck drivers driving too fast, while 9% were the result of the driver making illegal maneuvers on the road.
Driver inexperience:
Operating a large truck requires extensive knowledge and experience in driving on the road. Some truck drivers lack the necessary experience to operate such a vehicle. In such cases, filing a tanker truck accident lawsuit will help you get compensation for the damages suffered from the accident. The truck driver is liable for a tanker collision.
Problems with the load:
The liquids transported by the tanker trucks can sometimes shift according to the changes in direction or momentum. When this type of situation occurs, the balance of a vehicle can be thrown off, making it difficult to maintain control. This may result in roll over accidents, jackknifing, and other deadly collisions.
Vehicle and maintenance issues:
There are times when a tanker truck driver operates the vehicle safely, but the vehicle itself is dangerous. Tire, brake, and steering problems can all contribute to a crash. Maintenance matters, including the lack thereof, are the fault of a trucking company or the person responsible for servicing the large truck.
Poor weather:
Bad weather is a hazard for all drivers, including commercial vehicle operators. Rain, fog, snow, and other conditions must be approached with caution, with truck drivers acting accordingly to safeguard themselves and others accurately.
Types of injuries suffered by tanker truck accidents
Although tanker truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and even death, here are the most common injuries resulting from an accident with a tanker truck.
- Amputated limbs because doctors were unable to save crushed bones.
- Back injuries, such as herniated discs and fractured vertebrae.
- Chemical exposure.
- Crushed or broken bones.
- Internal injuries.
- Head trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Radiation exposure.
- Severe burns.
- Severe whiplash or neck injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries lead to paralysis.
- Smoke inhalation from fire or explosion.
Even those who were not directly involved in a collision could suffer injuries from hazardous materials or other tanker cargo that spills onto the road. For instance, nearby victims could inhale chemicals, experience radiation exposure, or suffer reactions from contamination. Injuries suffered from tanker accidents are regularly severe. While some injuries need surgery and physical therapy, other injuries can lead to permanent impairments. Filing tanker truck injury lawsuit claims with professional assistance from the top lawyers will help you get positive results without any hassle.
Recovery from these grave accidents can require ongoing medical treatment, surgeries, physical therapy, hospitalization, and more. Additionally, the victims also have to deal with the loss of income as they are unable to return to work. The losses can therefore be overwhelming.
Things to do after a tanker truck accident
If you were involved in a tanker truck accident negligence and suffered injuries, your foremost priority is to get appropriate medical care and start your road to recovery. It is also important to contact a tanker truck accident attorney as soon as you can to discuss your legal options.
A skilled tanker truck accident lawyer can answer all your legal questions and pursue financial compensation for all your damages. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you can recover compensation for one or more of the following damages:
Economic damages:
These are the monetary losses you incur because of your injuries. Ambulance transportation, loss of wages, hospitalization, and all types of medical costs are the common economic damages incurred by accident victims.
Non-economic damages:
These are non-monetary losses that are not tied to financial losses. Mental anguish, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life are a few non-economic damages you can recover from a tanker truck accident lawsuit.
Punitive damages:
These damages are meant to punish the liable party if their behavior was particularly egregious or intentional. The purpose of punitive damages is to sue the person who is at fault, and anyone else, for behaving similarly in the future.
After receiving immediate medical attention, schedule an initial consultation and case evaluation from the top tanker truck accident attorney. What are you waiting for? Contact Ethen Ostroff Law now at 610-510-8883 ( by calling this number, you consent to receive SMS updates from Ethen Ostroff Law) or Submit Form to get free consultation and find out if you are eligible to receive compensation for the damages you have sustained.
