Experiencing a large commercial truck accident can be scary, but colliding with a tanker truck is terrifying because of the hazardous nature of their cargo. The dangerous cargo can cause an explosion and a fire in an accident. If you get hurt in a tanker truck accident, you’ve got a right to pursue compensation for damages.
Enlist the services of a Miramar tanker truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to guide you through the claim process. Your Miramar truck accident lawyer will handle all the details of your case as you recover and heal, build a compelling case, and negotiate with the insurer for the settlement you deserve.
A Miramar Tanker Truck Accident Attorney Is Here to Help
Tanker truck drivers usually transport hazardous gases and liquids that require high handling skills and additional driver certification. If a tanker truck driver operates the truck recklessly or carelessly, they risk causing an accident and endangering the lives of other motorists.
If you’re injured in a tanker truck accident in Broward County, Florida, you should consider connecting with a Miramar tanker truck accident lawyer for legal help.
You’re entitled to compensation if the accident occurred due to the negligence of another motorist. Your lawyer will collect evidence and investigate your case to prove liability and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Unique Dangers Associated With Tanker Truck Accidents
Tanker truck accidents pose unique dangers due to the hazardous nature of the cargo they transport. The following are examples of hazards that can occur after a tanker truck accident:
- Explosions and Fire: A tanker truck accident can result in an explosion or fire depending on the nature of the cargo in transit. After the accident, the cargo may leak and contact heat or other elements, leading to an explosion. Even if the hazardous cargo doesn’t explode, it may catch fire from impact. Those involved in the tanker crash explosion may suffer fatal injuries or severe burns.
- Release of Toxic Fumes: Impact from a tanker truck accident can lead to the tanker releasing poisonous fumes. Breathing in chemicals is enough to cause health problems. You may not even realize you’re inhaling toxic chemicals since many fumes are odorless. In severe cases, inhalation of dangerous substances can cause coughing, vomiting, eye irritation, permanent sight loss, and breathing difficulty.
- Chemical Leaks and Spills: Any impact can lead to tanker trucks leaking during cargo transportation. If a large leak happens, everyone around the vicinity of the accident must evacuate. Lethal odors and toxic fumes may affect nearby homes and businesses. In severe cases, individuals may need to evacuate their homes as the spill is being cleaned until it’s considered safe again.
Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents
Like other auto accidents in Miramar, several factors can lead to a tanker truck accident, including:
- Alcohol or Drug Use: It’s illegal for a truck driver to operate the vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A drunk driver can easily cause an accident due to impaired judgment.
- Speeding: It’s tough to control a speeding tanker truck if a driver is required to make an emergency maneuver. When speeding, a truck driver can quickly lose control and cause a crash.
- Fatigued Driving: Exhaustion is a significant problem among commercial truck drivers due to the long hours on the road without adequate rest breaks. A tired driver can easily fall asleep while driving or fail to respond to a traffic stop, causing an accident.
- Inexperienced Drivers: Tanker truck drivers must undergo additional training to safely operate a tanker truck. Inexperienced drivers on the road can easily cause avoidable accidents.
- Unsafely Loaded Cargo: The improper loading of cargo makes it hard for the driver to control the truck, especially in emergencies, resulting in the truck rolling over.
Types of Tanker Truck Accidents
Depending on the circumstances and other road conditions, a tanker truck can be involved in several types of accidents, such as:
- Head-on Collisions: This usually happens when a truck driver fails to give way, drives the wrong way down the road, or falls asleep, causing a collision with oncoming traffic.
- Overturning Accidents: These occur when the truck driver loses control of the vehicle, usually due to speeding, improperly loaded cargo, or during an emergency maneuver.
- Rear-end Collisions: Normally, the truck driver is speeding or driving too closely behind other vehicles.
- Sideswipe Accidents: These crashes normally occur when truck drivers fail to indicate or signal a lane change or check their side mirrors before changing lanes.
- T-bone Collisions: These accidents happen when a truck driver fails to yield during a turn.
Recoverable Damages
If you’ve sustained injuries in a tanker truck accident, you can pursue compensation for damages resulting from injuries. This payment is typically for:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and anticipated future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost quality of life
- Lost earning capacity
Your tanker truck accident lawyer will estimate your claim’s value based on all potentially recoverable damages to ensure you receive the settlement amount you deserve.
Government Measures to Regulate Tanker Trucks
Tanker trucks present unique risks if involved in an accident compared to other commercial trucks. Tanker trucks usually have a higher center of gravity. A partially loaded tanker can rollover due to the liquid cargo shifting inside. If the tanker carries hazardous or flammable materials, it can risk an explosion or fire.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) usually regulates commercial trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more. However, FMSCA regulates all tanker trucks irrespective of their size and weight due to their hazardous nature. Commercial trucks and vehicles that transport cargo of gaseous containers or loaded liquid greater than a 119-gallon capacity and when a combined volume of containers exceeds 1,000 gallons are regulated by FMSCA.
Finally, truck drivers and trucking companies must follow specific regulations when transporting hazardous cargo to ensure safety for everyone.
Hire Our Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer for Your Claim
If you’ve been harmed in a tanker truck accident, call our law firm, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, to work with a tanker truck accident lawyer. We’re ready to review your claim, discuss your case, and answer all your queries regarding the filing process.
Worry about your healing and recovery as your attorney handles all the details of your case to get you fair compensation. Call now to get started.
We Can Help.
