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Why is a Texas Tanker Truck Accident Handled Differently from a Regular Big Rig crash?

Tanker trucks are trucks used to transport fluids on roadways. In Texas, tanker trucks carry everything from milk to corn to liquid helium used in chemical manufacturing. However, most of the tanker trucks in Texas carry products and materials used by the oil industry, including crude oil, fuel oil and gasoline.

In fact, over 70 percent of tanker trucks carry hazardous or flammable materials. Toxic or flammable materials can be especially dangerous if spilled in a Texas 18-wheeler crash. Because tanker trucks carry dangerous cargo, they are subject to more rules than ordinary semi trucks. Tanker trucks are heavily regulated by both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Rollover accidents are particularly common for tanker trucks. Because the tanker truck’s load is fluid, it shifts and rolls with the motion of the truck and the tilt of the roadway. Rollovers can occur when a driver fails to slow down when turning or exiting, and the force of the liquid cargo pushes the trailer over. Cargo can also cause rollovers as it moves within the tank under normal driving conditions on curvy or bumpy roads.

Drivers must use extra care when driving with liquid cargo. Studies show that driver drowsiness and inattention are a factor in 20% of tanker truck rollovers.

Because, many tanker trucks are filled with flammable, dangerous, or hazardous materials, a tanker truck accident can result in toxic chemical exposure, fire, or explosions. According to FMCSA statistics, trucks with carrying hazardous material are 50% more likely to spill their cargo than trucks hauling a nonhazardous load. Overall, rollover accidents are three times more likely to be harmful when a tanker truck is involved.

A Brownsville personal injury attorney with experience in handling Texas tanker truck crashes will thoroughly check that all laws and regulations have been followed, including those unique to tanker trucks. He will determine if the driver received the necessary training to drive the truck and has followed regulations governing sleep and rest breaks.

If a Texas tanker truck accident has caused serious injury to you or a loved one, Cowen Law Group can help. Our experienced Bexar County truck accident attorneys know the rules that govern tanker trucks. We will investigate your accident claim and determine whether the driver or trucking company is at fault. For more information, contact Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

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