Tanker Truck Accident Attorneys

Mobile, Alabama

Tanker trucks transport precious fluids via the major arterials of the country.  These trucks are manufactured to carry loads of many sizes and goods of all types, from the milk and grain to make a child's breakfast to the benzene or liquid helium necessary for highly dangerous chemical manufacturing.  They can be pressurized or non-pressurized, refrigerated or non-refrigerated, and are generally divided into several sub-tanks that distribute the load, prevent undue and dangerous sloshing, and allow for the simultaneous transport of several different types of fluid, such as unleaded, unleaded plus and premium unleaded.

Because over 70 percent of tanker trucks carry hazardous materials, this portion of the trucking is even more heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Types of Tanker Truck Accidents

 

Spills can often occur while filling a tanker truck.  Whether through operator error, adverse wind or other weather conditions, or a collision during filling, it is not uncommon for spills to occur.  Any spill of liquid is possibly dangerous from the standpoint of workplace safety, whether simply from the likelihood of a slip and fall accident, or if the spilled fluid is a toxic or flammable chemical, workers can suffer burns or inhalation injuries.

Rollover accidents are also common for tanker trucks.  They most often occur when a driver fails to slow down adequately when exiting the highway, and the momentum of the liquid cargo carries the trailer over.  Liquid cargoes can also cause rollovers by sloshing back and forth under normal driving conditions on curvy or bumpy roads.

According to FMCSA statistics, hazardous material cargoes are 50% more likely to spill than nonhazardous cargoes.  Since many trucks carry flammable liquids, these spills can lead to fires and explosions.  They can also release toxic fumes.  Overall, rollover accidents are three times as likely to be harmful when a tanker truck is involved.  And, since 71% of all accidents involving hazmat trucks occur on rural highways, this means that many people in rural communities who sought safety from the toxic cities are nonetheless in danger from these chemicals. 

If a tanker truck accident has caused a Severe Injury to you or a family member, or brought a toxic spill into your community, you need a lawyer to make sure that those responsible clean up the mess they made.  Our experienced truck accident attorneys serve clients in Mobile and Baldwin County, and are prepared to fight for you.  Contact us today.