Tanker Truck Accidents

Melbourne and Orlando, Florida

Tractor-trailer rigs and commercial semi's weighing in at up to 40 tons can cause serious damage in an accident. However tanker trucks with flammable, dangerous, or hazardous materials and liquids can create catastrophic and often fatal injuries. Those injuries will most likely be related to burns that cause serious long-term personal injuries or even death.

Extreme weight shifts, caused by a tanker truck's load being only three-quarters full may also cause the tanker to become unstable. When a tanker rolls, a liquid load will hasten the tanker to continue rolling, causing even more injury. These causative factors and others will be evaluated by a truck accident lawyer, like those at Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter in the Melbourne and Orlando, Florida area, if you have been involved in a tanker truck collision.

Unique Factors in Tanker Truck Accidents

Tanker truck accidents can be due to driver error, the trucking company that owns the vehicle or both. The actions and decisions of the truck driver and company owning the truck bring forth a set of complex circumstances unique to personal injury litigation and settlement. Unlike a car collision, factors behind tanker truck accidents vary and can include:

• Stopping distance due to the sheer size and load with tanker trucks sudden stops are anything but sudden, sometimes taking as much as four times longer to stop than a passenger vehicle
• Tank bodies or tankers maneuverability varies greatly depending upon the type of tanker truck and the load
• Jack-knifing and the brake system air brakes used on tanker trucks have special characteristics and handling methods. Long distance downhill braking can also create special problems for truckers
• Empty trailers and bobtails a light or no load means a trucker must be aware of even great braking distances due to less traction, as all parts of the tanker truck are designed to be fully loaded
• Driver charged with two often opposing responsibilities, truck drivers are morally responsible for public safety while trying to meet company deadlines and vendor delivery commitments

Common Causes in Tanker Truck Accidents

Investigation into a tanker truck accident must be attacked from a multitude of directions that help determine the causes. Some of the most common include:

• Driver fatigue an experienced attorney will thoroughly review the driver's logbook
• Operator inexperience skilled lawyers will evaluate the trucker's background
• Overloading or improper balancing
• Poorly maintained vehicle
• Equipment failure
• Inadequate safety policies
• Road hazards

If you need to consult with a truck accident lawyer and live in the Melbourne or Orlando area, please call our office today. The attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter will aggressively pursue the responsible parties and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.