Texas Tanker Accident Lawyer

Texas Tanker Accident Attorney

Have You Been in a Tanker Truck Accident in Texas?

Tanker trucks go by several different names, including fuel trucks, tankers, or gas trucks. No matter what they are called, they are distinctive in that they are used to transport liquids, gasses, and other products. When you have been involved in an accident with one of these vehicles, the results are often grievous, sometimes even fatal. Recovering the compensation our clients are owed is the focus of every Texas tanker accident lawyer at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm. Contact our firm today to learn more about your legal rights after a truck accident. We can be reached at (713) 535-7051.

What Do Tanker Trucks Transport?

When most people think of a tanker truck, they think of a fuel tanker. However, tanker trucks transport far more than just the fuel we need to live our daily lives. They are used to carry asphalt, ethanol, sewage, and household items that are petroleum based. Tanker trucks are even utilized to transport products such as wine, water, flour, grain, juices, and milk. However, according to our Texas tanker accident lawyer team, the most dangerous products they carry are fuel and other hazardous materials.

Common Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents in Texas

Tanker truck accidents have a variety of common causes, some of which they share with accidents involving other types of motor vehicles. The biggest difference is that these issues may not have such a significant impact on accidents involving other types of motor vehicles as they are not typically transporting the types of materials tanker trucks carry. Two of these causes are operator error and matters involving the tanker truck itself like poor maintenance.

Operator Error Leading to Texas Tanker Truck Accidents

Anyone driving a tanker truck is required to obtain certification. However, truck drivers are often forced to drive long hours to meet unrealistic schedule demands. The extra amount of time spent on the road causes even the most experienced drivers to suffer from fatigue and exhaustion, leading to accidents. The demand to meet unrealistic deadlines also causes tank truck operators to drive at a high rate of speed.

Another common cause of operator error is engaging in distracted driving. Distracted driving occurs when a driver of a motor vehicle is engaged in anything other than the act of driving. Drivers often engage in distracted driving as a way to combat boredom. They may text or talk on the phone, taking their attention away from the task of driving.

Tanker Truck Accidents Due to Failed Maintenance or Design

Tanker trucks spend many hours on the road and require consistent maintenance and upkeep. When they are not properly maintained, an accident can result from worn brake pads, bald tires, or steering problems. Other problems result from improper truck design and assembly. Whether or not the truck itself is a cause of your accident is a determination that can be made by your Texas tanker accident lawyer.

Dangers Unique to Tanker Trucks

The fact that tanker trucks are utilized to transport hazardous and liquid materials leads to dangers that are unique to them.

Explosions & Fires

Sparks fly in most accidents, but when one of the vehicles involved has hazardous materials on
board, one spark can cause these materials to ignite. The resulting explosion and fire can cause horrific injuries, including disfigurement, to those involved as well as passengers in nearby motor vehicles.

In addition to transporting hazardous materials that are flammable, many of the other materials transported by tanker trucks are pressurized using oxygen. Pressurized products, when involved in an accident, can burst into flame.

Rollovers

When transporting a liquid, the liquid will move around, and when it moves enough, it can cause the tanker transporting it to become unstable. An unstable tanker can easily rollover, causing destruction to any other vehicle that is in its path. Ensuring the tank is filled to the point where the liquid is not able to move freely is one way to prevent this from happening. The tank should also be properly secured and sealed to prevent instability.

Leakage & Spills

Leaks and spills have a variety of causes, from a defective tank to improper handling. No matter the cause, when hazardous materials are able to escape their tank, they may wreak havoc by:

• Igniting and causing a fire;
• Seeping into a storm drain and causing the local water supply to be contaminated;
• Making the roadway slick, causing other motor vehicle operators to lose control of their vehicle;
• Causing injuries to anyone exposed to the leak, such as skin irritation, lung damage, and blindness.

Non-hazardous spills are dangerous in their own right. When a driver sees a spill in the roadway ahead of them, they will often attempt to avoid the area by slamming on brakes or swerving their vehicle. Even if they do not attempt to avoid the area, traveling through the spilled substance at a high rate of speed can cause a driver to hydroplane and lose the ability to control their motor vehicle.

Common Injuries Sustained in Texas Tanker Truck Accidents

Due to the catastrophic nature of most accidents involving tanker trucks, common injuries can be very serious and are often deadly. We see the following injuries after a car vs. truck accident on Texas roadways:

• Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can cause you to become paralyzed, and are often a result of being involved in an accident with a tanker truck.
• Smoke Inhalation & Burns: When a tanker is transporting a substance that is flammable, accidents often result in victims suffering burns and complications resulting from smoke inhalation.
• Internal Injuries: Internal injuries, such as broken bones and crushed organs, are common when you are involved in an accident with a tanker truck.

No matter what type of injuries you have sustained, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced Texas tanker accident lawyer.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Texas Tanker Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving tanker trucks are different from accidents involving other types of motor vehicles. Be sure that you retain a Texas tanker accident lawyer who understands these differences and how to recover the full amount of restitution you are owed. At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our attorneys are professionals experienced in accidents involving large trucks, including tankers, and we are here to provide you with the assistance you require. You may reach our firm by calling (713) 535-7051 or via our contact page.