A wreck involving a truck in a densely populated urban area is a serious hazard, but tanker truck accidents in Phoenix, AZ are especially dangerous. A tanker explosion could injure multiple people. Even when the truck’s cargo does not ignite, collisions between huge, heavy tankers and passenger vehicles can cause devastating injuries and deaths.
Contact the attorneys at Phillips Law Group if you suffered injuries or your loved one was killed in a tanker accident. Our firm been serving injured people in this community for decades, and we have a well-deserved reputation for achieving excellent results.
Why Are Tanker Trucks So Dangerous?
Any vehicle with a tanker attached to the back is referred to as a tanker truck. Often utilized to transport and carry large quantities of liquid, tanker trucks are commonly seen on the roads and highways throughout the United States. Any motor vehicle collisions present a certain level of danger, tanker accidents, however, often involve an elevated level of danger due to the amount of liquid inside the tanks, which is often flammable and subject to explosions or fires in the event of a crash.
Liquid cargo is amongst the most hazardous of all types of freight carried in commercial vehicles. For example, under-filled tanker trucks maintain a slosh factor which causes the liquid loads carried inside to become insecure, which typically causes the truck drive to lose control of the truck and collide with surrounding trucks and cars. In addition, when tanker accidents occur, the vehicle often rolls over and continues to roll greater distances than its commercial vehicle counterparts.
In the United States, there are a number of strict laws and regulations regarding tanker trucks and the proper methods of loading. Tanker truck weight is calculated in relation to the volume of liquid being carried inside of the tanks. Sadly, because the liquid inside of the tanks typically has higher density level, overloaded tankers create a potentially deadly situation. In fact, studies have shown that tanker trucks less than three-quarters full are at high risk for rollover accidents.
Phillips Law Group has been litigated countless tanker truck accident cases. Due to the variety of specific laws regarding commercial vehicles, all Arizona motorists must seek the advice of a legal professional in the event of a truck collision. If you or a loved one has been involved in a tanker accident Phoenix, Arizona metro area, Phillips Law Group is here to guide you throughout the litigation process.
To learn more about your legal options, please complete a Free Case Review form on this page.
Hazards of Tanker Accidents
The NHTSA estimates that about 5,000 traffic fatalities each year are directly attributed to large commercial truck collisions. Tanker accidents tend to be the most catastrophic of all types of commercial truck crashes due to a variety of elements specific to tanks. First, the weight and size of tanker trucks makes it difficult for drivers to stop quickly, creating a significant number of accidents.
Additionally, tankers are often unable to maneuver their vehicles easily due to their structure and the loads being carried. These factors create a potentially deadly situation when any type of vehicle collides with a tanker truck. Commercial vehicles may weigh up to 80,000 pounds and clearly create potential danger; however, accidents involving tanker trucks tend to be far more severe. A number of hazards existing in Phoenix, AZ tanker truck accidents are special to these specific vehicles. Below, Phillips Law Group provides a list of the most significant tanker truck hazards.
Explosions
An explosion has the potential of erupting during any type of motor vehicle collision. However, tank accidents are especially disposed to explosions after a forceful impact. The majority of the liquids carried in the tanks are flammable; any collision with another vehicle on the road creates a situation where an explosion may occur. In these situations, any surrounding vehicles are in great danger.
Chemical Burns
While transporting hazardous liquids and liquid chemicals, a number of additional risks arise in regard to commercial vehicle travel. For example, radioactive materials are commonly carried in tanker trucks and when an accident takes place, these chemicals will severely injure any accident victims in close proximity.
Leaks and Spills
Leaks and spills may occur in a few different types of situations in Arizona truck accidents. In some cases, the force of the crash will cause a leaking or spillage to occur, which places any near motorist in danger. In addition, leaks caused by some form of truck defect will cause the liquid carried in the truck to slowly leak out or spill.
Fires
Due to the fact that much of the liquid being carried is flammable, any accident with a tanker truck may result in a vehicle fire. A variety of petroleum products such as oils and gases are carried in the tank and subject to catch on fire in the event of a crash. Burn injuries are often some of the most catastrophic and devastating injuries that accident victims suffer, often leaving permanent scarring for those who have been burned in the collision.
Sloshing
Sloshing is an extremely common occurrence in tanker trucks. When a tanker truck is only filled to three-fourths of its capacity, sloshing occurs due to the excess movement in the tank not fully filled with liquid. Sloshing often causes the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle due to the weight shift in the trailer.
Proving Liability in Tanker Accidents
Injured people are often entitled to compensation after an accident. They can hold the responsible parties liable for their losses if they prove negligence. In most cases, negligence refers to failing to use reasonable care to protect others from harm; however, truck drivers and transportation companies must meet a higher standard.
Truckers must exercise the utmost care when operating their rigs, not just reasonable care. They are required to use the knowledge and skill of professional drivers. Tankers drivers, who must have a license endorsement to transport hazardous or flammable cargo, must demonstrate awareness of the heightened risk and drive accordingly.
An attorney at Phillips Law Group’s Phoenix office will investigate to determine whether the trucker involved in the tanker accident followed all placarding procedures, observed route limitations, adhered to the specific safety protocols that apply to their cargo, and complied with all applicable laws and regulations. Any violations or noncompliance is evidence of negligence and triggers liability.
Determining Your Damages
Damages are the economic and non-economic losses a plaintiff suffered as a direct result of their injury. Plaintiffs must have documentation supporting a claim for damages.
Hospital bills, receipts, tax records, and similar documents can prove a plaintiff’s economic damages. Non-economic damages refer to the changes in a plaintiff’s quality of life since the accident. Depending on the situation, photographs, video, medical records, personal journals, and testimony from loved ones can prove a plaintiff’s non-economic damages.
When a loved one dies in a tanker accident, their relatives can seek compensation for the financial contributions the decedent would have made to the family. Relatives can also pursue damages for the loss of the decedent’s love and companionship. Distribution of damages among surviving family members depends on numerous factors, so the family should speak with a Phoenix, Arizona tanker accident attorney about their specific situation.
Your Negligence Impacts Your Damages
Sometimes there is one clear reason why an accident occurred. However, in many cases a combination of factors cause a tanker wreck. A plaintiff in an injury case might be partially responsible for the crash.
Arizona Statute §12-2505 requires each party involved in an accident to be responsible for their part in it. When the parties engage in pretrial settlement negotiations, they allocate fault between themselves and adjust the settlement amount accordingly. When a case goes to a trial, the jury decides each party’s degree of fault, and a negligent plaintiff’s damages are reduced by the same percentage.
Other responsible parties have an incentive to shift as much blame as possible onto an injured plaintiff. Doing so reduces the liability of the other parties. An experienced attorney at Phillips Law Group is skilled in countering these attempts and preserving a plaintiff’s right to pursue maximum compensation after a Phoenix tanker accident.
Contact A Phoenix Attorney After a Tanker Accident
Phillips Law Group tractor trailer accident lawyers have many years of experience in litigating truck crash cases in Arizona. When the negligence of a truck driver causes injury or harm to you and your family members, we believe that this negligent party must pay for the damages in which they have caused. Therefore, our lawyers work tirelessly to build a case which will yield the maximum compensation possible for our clients.
For more information, please fill out a Free Case Review form above or call 602-222-2222 .
Available 24/7