Any accident involving a commercial truck has the potential to be devastating but accidents involving large tanker trucks are exceptionally prone towards certain specific perils such as the increased risk of fires or explosions.

Like all truck drivers, those employed to operate tanker trucks work under the pressures of impossible deadlines and long hours behind the wheel but tanker truck drivers’ cargo is liquid and for that reason behaves differently than material goods when traveling. For example, tankers that are less than 3/4 full are more likely to roll over - even at very low speeds - because the liquid readily splashes around inside the empty space.

Tractor-trailer trucks, in contrast, are carefully loaded so that their cargo is balanced and secure for maximum stability during transport. This is impossible to do with tanker truck cargo and the only measure that can be taken to prevent instability is to fill the tanker all the way. Unfortunately, then weight becomes an issue and even small road defects can through a truck off balance and potentially cause an accident.

All trucks have regulations governing the amount of weight are permitted to carry but frequently the liquid weight maximum is calculated based on the weight of water. Since most tanker trucks do not exclusively transport water and various liquids have differing densities it is frequently the case that a dangerous and flammable liquid has a higher density than water leading the tanker truck to be perilously overloaded.

Most tanker trucks carry highly flammable materials that will burn so hot as they have the power to destroy the metal and cement structures of highway bridges and freeway overpasses. This combination of unstable, overloaded and flammable liquids is exceptionally deadly, but there are even more unique risks associated with large tanker trucks.

A hazardous material spill from an accident like this can cause emergency evacuations in the short term, the release of toxic gases and rapidly spreading high-temperature infernos and the calamity does not stop there. Beyond the immediate danger posed by a tanker truck collision there are the long-term effects of the chemical seepage of the truck’s contents into the soil and groundwater of the areas surrounding the accident. This can devastate the crops and livestock farmers and adversity affect the long-term health of those residing nearby.

If you have been involved in an accident involving a large tanker truck you may be eligible for compensation through insurance settlements or a lawsuit. If your property or livelihood was damaged as a result of the accident or you were personally injured, either acutely or in a chronic, cumulative manner, the financial settlement could potentially cover the estimated costs and damages to your property, all lost wages past, present and future, expenses associated with medical treatment and possibly allow compensation for your pain and suffering or punitive damages. Talk to a large tanker truck accident attorney as soon as possible to learn what measures to take next.