Our Florida Commercial Truck Lawyers Help with Tanker Truck Accidents

Tanker trucks carrying fuel, oil, water, industrial chemicals and other liquids present hazards on Florida’s roads. From highways to city streets, these large trucks are not only notoriously difficult to maneuver safely, but they also present other risks. Accidents involving tanker trucks often have devastating consequences, and, in many cases, victims and their family members will face lifelong recoveries. If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one, you should promptly speak with a Florida tanker truck accident attorney.

Common Factors in Florida Tanker Truck Accidents

Like other types of commercial truck accidents, accidents involving tanker trucks can involve various factors. Negligent truck driving, issues with the road, problems with the truck’s liquid cargo and issues with the truck itself can all cause and contribute to serious and fatal collisions. However, certain factors tend to be particularly common. For example, some of the most common factors involved in tanker truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue due to long hours behind the wheel
• Driver distractions (both in the cab and outside of the truck)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, medications, and illegal drugs
• Failure to appropriately pressurize liquid cargo
• Tanker truck defects and maintenance issues

In addition to these common causes of tanker truck accidents, there are several scenarios in which these accidents are more likely to occur. 

Specific Dangers Truck Drivers Face When Driving a Tanker Truck

Among other instances, drivers, passengers and their loved ones will frequently be entitled to recover financial compensation for tanker truck accidents involving:

• Taking Turns Too Fast – When filled with liquid cargo, tanker trucks can be extraordinarily heavy. Additionally, the fuller the tank, the higher the truck’s center of gravity. If a tanker truck driver takes a turn too fast, this can cause its trailer to jackknife or rollover. Even if the driver can regain control, it will be too late to avoid a serious collision in many cases.
• Following Too Closely, Braking Harshly and Stopping Short – Due to their extreme weight, tanker trucks require a significant amount of stopping distance. If a tanker truck driver is following too closely, brakes suddenly or attempts to stop short, the weight of the truck’s liquid cargo can push the truck forward and cause a rear-end collision.
• Tanker Truck Spills – Regardless of the type of liquid it is carrying, if a tanker truck spills its liquid cargo onto the road, this can create an extremely dangerous situation in which multiple drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are at risk for suffering serious traumatic injuries. While modern tanker trucks are designed to prevent spills even during rollovers and other serious accidents, spills still happen, and they often have devastating consequences.

Speak with a Florida Tanker Truck Accident Attorney at Searcy Denney

Have you been injured, or has a member of your family been killed in a tanker truck accident in Florida? If so, our attorneys are here to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. To get started with a free and confidential consultation, call our Florida tanker truck accident attorney at 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online today.