Tanker Truck Accidents and Hazardous Material Spills: Seeking Compensation for Injuries
Tanker trucks play a crucial role in transporting fuel, chemicals, and other hazardous materials across Florida and the rest of the country. However, when these massive vehicles are involved in accidents, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Unlike standard commercial vehicle crashes, tanker truck accidents pose an additional danger due to the risk of hazardous material spills, which can cause fires, explosions, chemical burns, and toxic exposure.
Victims of tanker truck accidents often suffer severe or life-threatening injuries that require extensive medical treatment, and even long-term care. But who is responsible for the damages, and how can injured victims seek compensation? Our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers explore the unique challenges of tanker truck accidents, liability issues, and legal options for injury victims.
The Dangers of Tanker Truck Accidents
Tanker trucks are larger, heavier, and more complex than standard commercial vehicles, making them harder to control and more prone to serious accidents. When a tanker truck crashes, the risks go beyond the initial impact, as hazardous material (HAZMAT) spills can create secondary dangers such as:
- Explosions and fires – Tanker trucks carrying flammable substances like gasoline or propane can ignite after a crash, causing devastating burns and fatalities.
- Toxic exposure – Some chemicals, when spilled, release toxic fumes that can cause respiratory problems, neurological damage, and even death.
- Environmental contamination – Leaking hazardous materials can pollute water sources, soil, and air, leading to long-term health consequences for nearby residents.
- Corrosive burns – Certain industrial chemicals can cause severe skin burns and permanent scarring upon contact.
Because of these dangers, tanker truck accident victims may face more severe injuries than those involved in regular commercial truck crashes.
Common Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents
Tanker truck accidents can occur for several reasons, many of which involve negligence by the driver, trucking company, or third parties. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver fatigue – Long hours on the road can lead to drowsy driving and delayed reaction times.
- Speeding and reckless driving – The sheer size and weight of tanker trucks make sudden stops and sharp turns extremely dangerous.
- Improper loading of hazardous materials – If the cargo is not properly sealed, secured, or balanced, it can cause rollovers or leaks.
- Mechanical failure – Poor truck maintenance, faulty brakes, or tire blowouts can result in catastrophic crashes.
- Driver inexperience – Handling hazardous materials requires specialized training; an inexperienced driver may not know how to respond in emergencies.
- Negligence by third parties – Other drivers on the road can cause accidents by cutting off tanker trucks, failing to yield, or engaging in aggressive driving.
When a tanker truck accident occurs, determining fault is essential to pursuing compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Tanker Truck Accident?
Tanker truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, making the claims process more complicated than a typical car accident case. Potentially responsible parties include:
1. The Tanker Truck Driver
If the driver was speeding, driving recklessly, or violated safety regulations, they may be personally liable for the accident. However, most drivers are employed by trucking companies, which means their employer could also share responsibility.
2. The Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, enforcing safety policies, and maintaining their fleet. If the company allowed overworked drivers, skipped maintenance checks, or failed to follow federal regulations, it could be held liable for negligence.
3. The Cargo Loading Company
Many tanker trucks are loaded and sealed by third-party contractors. If a cargo company improperly loaded hazardous materials, leading to a spill, explosion, or imbalance that caused the accident, it could be held accountable.
4. The Truck or Parts Manufacturer
If a tanker truck accident was caused by a defective part, such as faulty brakes, steering failure, or tire blowout, the truck manufacturer or parts supplier may be held responsible under product liability laws.
Seeking Compensation for Tanker Truck Accident Injuries
Because tanker truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries, victims may be entitled to significant compensation. Under Florida personal injury laws, injured individuals can pursue damages for:
- Medical expenses – Emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
- Lost wages and future earnings – Compensation for time missed at work and loss of earning capacity due to permanent injuries.
- Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Disfigurement and disability – Compensation for permanent scarring, amputations, paralysis, or chronic pain.
- Wrongful death damages – If a tanker truck accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may recover funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statute § 768.21).
Given the severity of injuries in tanker truck accidents, insurance companies may fight aggressively to minimize payouts. That’s why victims should work with an experienced truck accident attorney to maximize their compensation.
What to Do After a Tanker Truck Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a tanker truck accident, taking the right steps can protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if injuries aren’t visible, exposure to toxic chemicals can have delayed symptoms.
- Document the accident scene – If possible, take photos or videos of the crash, hazardous material spills, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Get witness information – Statements from bystanders, first responders, or other drivers can support your case.
- Do not accept any settlement without legal advice – Trucking and insurance companies may offer lowball settlements to avoid paying full compensation.
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney – A lawyer can investigate the accident, identify all liable parties, and fight for maximum compensation.
Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather
Tanker truck accidents are among the most dangerous and complex personal injury cases due to the risk of hazardous material spills and severe injuries. Unlike standard vehicle accidents, these crashes often involve multiple liable parties, including trucking companies, cargo loaders, and manufacturers.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a tanker truck accident, you should not have to fight alone. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the claims process, negotiate with insurance companies, and take legal action if necessary to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a tanker truck accident involving hazardous materials, the legal team at Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather is here to help. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex truck accident claims and will fight to hold negligent parties accountable.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Source:
emergency.weill.cornell.edu/spills
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0324/Sections/0324.021.html
