What to Do If You Have Been in a Car Accident with a Tanker Truck

MARSALISI LAW
April 16, 2022
Gasoline-truck-delivery

Car accidents often cause severe injuries and damage to those involved.  However, tanker truck accidents are more dangerous and extreme in many cases because of the mass of the objects, the cargo, and the grand scale of the accident.  Knowing what to do after you have been involved in a car accident with a tanker truck can help you through your recovery and seeking compensation.

At Marsalisi Law, our legal team can help you through the personal injury law process after suffering injuries from an accident.  Whether you experience short-term damages or permanent injuries, you have a right to pursue compensation.  Below you will find more information about car accidents involving tanker trucks and the steps to take if you have been involved in this kind of accident.

What To Know About Tanker Trucks

Tanker trucks are large commercial trucks with cylinder trailers used to haul cargo, liquids, gasses, or other materials.  Tankers may be pressurized, insulated, or refrigerated depending on the use of the tank and what it is carrying.  When full, tanker trucks weigh over 25,000 pounds or more if larger.  With hazardous materials and heavy cargo, these trucks contribute to many catastrophic accidents and severe injuries when in an accident on the road.

Hazardous Materials

Many tanker trucks carry large amounts of liquids, oil, chemicals, and other materials across long distances within different states.  Hazardous materials may become extremely dangerous on the road because they may be flammable and cause an explosion when colliding with other vehicles.

Here are some examples of tanker truck materials:

  • Gasses;
  • Explosives;
  • Corrosive chemicals;
  • Radioactive materials;
  • Other hazardous materials.

Here are some examples of non-liquid cargo:

  • Food;
  • Sand;
  • Other loose materials.

Regardless of the flammability of the cargo, tanker trucks can still be dangerous due to their size and weight.  Ensure that you follow a safe distance behind these trucks and provide them enough notice to stop if you must brake in front of them.

Tanker Truck Accidents

Accidents involving tanker trucks and vehicles on the road pose different dangers for those individuals involved in an accident.  Unlike car crashes with similar cars, the contents and size of a truck create additional danger in a traffic collision.  Some additional dangers of tanker truck accidents may include:

  • Exposure to toxins;
  • Fire and explosion;
  • Increased risk of rollovers on the road;
  • Leaks and spills on the road;
  • Sheer mass and weight of the vehicle;
  • Sloshing movement limits the driver’s control of the tanker.

There are many dangers that tanker drivers and those involved in a collision are exposed to in the case of an accident.  If any of these occur during an accident, severe and catastrophic injuries may also happen to those involved.

Why Do Car and Tanker Truck Collisions Occur?

Many car accidents occur each year in Florida, and tanker trucks are no exception.  Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles crash statistics showed over 30,000 accidents occurred with trucks over 10,000 pounds in 2017 alone.

These accidents may occur for several reasons, some of which may be:

  • Inexperience;
  • Driver fatigue;
  • Driving under the influence;
  • Improper maintenance of tanker trucks;
  • Distracted driving.

Truck driving is tiring and requires skill, training, and a commercial license before being hired and sent out on the road.  Truckers often stop to sleep, rest, and eat throughout long trips and must take care of themselves to drive correctly.  Unfortunately, many drivers still encounter accidents on the road, and some have been fatal.  If you have been involved in an accident with a tanker truck driver, a supportive attorney at Marsalisi Law may be able to help you.

Common Injuries in Tanker Truck Collisions

Tanker trucks are more significant than all other vehicles on the road, creating considerable danger in an accident.  When involved in a tanker truck accident, people often suffer more severe, permanent, and catastrophic injuries due to the contents of a tanker truck and the dangers of a collision.  Tanker truck collision injuries may include:

  • Head and brain trauma;
  • Whiplash;
  • Soft tissue injuries;
  • Deep lacerations and scarring;
  • Severe burns;
  • Spine and back injuries;
  • Crushing injuries;
  • Internal bleeding and trauma;
  • Amputations;
  • Chemical exposure/sickness;
  • Other injuries and ailments;
  • Wrongful Death.

The many dangers and severe injuries caused by tanker truck collisions can be difficult to deal with.  After suffering severe injuries from a Florida tanker truck collision, knowing what to do will help you feel at ease.

What to Do After a Car Accident Involving a Tanker Truck

Much like car accidents, any traffic collision is frightening.  After an accident involving a car and tanker truck collision, there are different steps you can take to help you in recovering and seeking compensation.  Below are the steps to take after a car collision with a tanker truck:

  1. Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately;
  2. Contact a skilled personal injury attorney for legal advice;
  3. Notify your insurance company and all the necessary parties after the accident;
  4. File a claim against the negligent driver for your injuries.

After being in an accident, you may need serious and immediate medical treatment to ensure that the full extent of your injuries is acknowledged and treated.  Postponing treatment may lead to worsening injuries and even fatality.  If your loved one is too injured or unable to file a claim, you may contact a personal injury attorney in Pinellas Park to seek legal advice and start the process of seeking compensation for damages they have suffered.

Call Marsalisi Law for an Expert Catastrophic Accident Attorney in Florida

As a skilled and dedicated legal attorney, Frank P. Marsalisi can help clients in Florida after a catastrophic accident, such as a car collision with a tanker truck.  With our legal team, you will rest and recover from the accident without worrying about the needs of your claim.  Contact our legal team at (727) 800-5052 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.  We also speak Spanish.

Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal!

Schedule A Free Consultation

Frank P. Marsalisi believes that every person injured in an accident deserves the full attention of a personal injury attorney. With tailored legal services fluent in both English and Spanish, you can feel comfortable discussing your claim in either language. Our team at Marsalisi Law has years of experience protecting St. Petersburg residents and will do everything in our power to provide you with the compensation you deserve.

Our team understands how stressful this time can be and will make the process smooth, so you can focus on your recovery. Schedule a free consultation by calling (727) 334-1344 or filling out our contact form today.