North Carolina Tanker Truck Explosion Injury Lawyers

In January 2020, an overturned tanker truck exploded and burst into flames in North Carolina. Emergency services crews pulled a deceased individual’s body out of the vehicle soon after the tanker truck explosion. Within 20 minutes of the tanker truck crash, the resulting flames had become out of control. The collision resulted in fuel leaking from the truck onto the ground and into the nearby creek. The leaking fuel sustained the fire. The driver of the tanker died, and rescue crews transported the driver of the other vehicle to the hospital. Unfortunately, tanker truck explosions can happen and cause serious injuries to those involved.

Tanker truck explosions can be some of the deadliest car accidents. They frequently cause multiple deaths and severe injuries for those involved. Tanker truck explosions are particularly dangerous because tanker trucks often carry flammable and dangerous liquids and materials. When a collision happens, these materials can explode and cause serious personal injuries and even deaths. If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury from a tanker truck explosion, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our skilled personal injury lawyers as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation.

When someone’s negligence causes a tanker truck injury, the injured party may be entitled to compensation. Accidents involving tanker trucks are usually caused by driver error, improper loading, or poor maintenance. The following are other common causes of tanker truck explosions:

• Not having enough stopping distance to safely stop the tanker trunk. The size of the tanker truck and weight of the load requires a greater stopping distance than do commuter cars and trucks.
• Inexperienced tanker truck drivers may not have the skill needed to use reasonable care when driving a tanker truck. Accidental mistakes and poor weather conditions can make it difficult for inexperienced tanker truck drivers to drive safely. For example, when a dangerous rainstorm happens, an experienced tanker driver will know how to maneuver the truck more carefully. A newer driver may make a “rookie mistake” that causes an accident and serious injuries.
• An unstable tanker can also cause dangerous driving conditions. Tankers are often full of loose materials and liquids, making the tanker truck become unstable. When a trucker drives too fast, swerves the truck, attempts to stop too quickly, or maneuver the tanker trailer too quickly, an accident could result.
• Failing Brake Systems: Empty tanker trucks can easily jackknife when the truck’s air brakes fail to act as a safety keeping mechanism. Maintenance workers have a duty of reasonable care to make safe repairs. If you have been in an accident caused by faulty brakes, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Those investigating tanker truck explosions analyze how the accident occurred. Tanker trailers often carry the following types of dangerous cargo:

• Petroleum derivatives and gasoline
• Oil and tar
• Ethanol
• Sand
• Acids and other corrosives
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Dyes and paints
• Peroxides and other oxidizing substances
• Acids and other corrosives

Because tanker trailers often carry these dangerous chemicals, collisions involving tanker trailers often result in explosions. The following dangerous situations can occur as a result of negligent tanker truck drivers and negligently maintained or manufactured trucks:

• Explosions: like fires, explosions often happen during a tanker truck accident. High impact collisions can create a spark that ignites the combustible substances in the tanker. Truck drivers often perish from the force of the explosion. Those who are lucky enough to survive a tanker trailer explosion often suffer from severe burns that can leave them disfigured and with significant scarring.
• Fires: the likelihood of a fire after a tanker trailer explosion is high. Trucks often carry highly flammable materials. However, even trucks carrying food items are pressurized with oxygen. That oxygen can burst into flame during a tanker truck accident.
• Increased danger of a rollover accident: Tanker trucks are more prone to sloshing when carrying a full load. When drivers take turns too quickly, the liquid in the tank sloshes back and forth. Additionally, tankers are more prone to rollovers because the load moves around easily. Tanker trailers also have an increased risk of rolling over because their load moves around more easily than with other trailers.

If you or a loved one have suffered an injury because of a tanker truck accident caused by the trucking company or the driver’s negligence, we can help. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation today. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville, and Monroe.