Nashville Tanker Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large, commercial eighteen-wheelers are often devastating to injury victims, but tanker trucks that haul liquid and gases pose unique hazards to others on the road. When a tanker truck is involved in a crash, their dangerous cargo can cause even more catastrophic injuries to those involved. At Mitch Grissim & Associates, our Nashville personal injury attorneys will zealously advocate for the compensation you deserve after a collision. To learn more, call or contact our office today.
What To Do After An Accident With A Tanker Truck
Car accidents can be dangerous and costly affairs, which is why it is of the utmost importance to deal with the aftermath properly.
After a wreck involving a tanker truck, drivers should pull their vehicles off the road and out of traffic. Drivers should then contact the police, who will dispatch officers to the scene to investigate the accident and assess the situation. The truck driver should also be contacted to ensure that the tanker is secure and that their vehicle does not pose a safety risk to other drivers on the interstate.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will investigate, note any injuries to a driver and damage to all vehicles, and document everything that’s discovered. They will also provide assistance to any injured drivers and passengers, as well as direct traffic around the collision scene. Drivers in the tanker truck accident should remain at the scene until officers arrives and completes their investigation.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will then assess the scene of the tanker truck accident and determine the cause of the crash. They will also provide information to the drivers, such as insurance information and contact information for the tanker truck driver. All drivers in the collision should exchange insurance information and contact information to ensure that their vehicles can be repaired or replaced, if necessary.
The police will also provide information on what to do following an incident with a tanker truck. This can include contacting tow companies, filing insurance claims, and obtaining a copy of the wreck report. By following these steps, you can help ensure that all parties are safe and that the collision is properly documented.
Additional Hazards of Tanker Trucks
Tanker trucks pose many of the same risks as other large commercial trucks on the road, such as significant blind spots, wide turn radius, distracted and drowsy drivers, and inexperienced operators of such large vehicles. However, tanker trucks on the Tennessee roadways come with additional hazards given the dangerous nature of their cargo. Oftentimes, tanker trucks are carrying chemicals, gasoline, liquid sugar, and other dangerous or flammable material.
One such hazard involves underloaded tanker trucks and sloshing cargo. When liquid cargo shifts in a truck bed, it can throw off the balance of the vehicle. This can lead to jackknifing and rollover accidents while the vehicle is on the road. Given the hazardous nature of much of the cargo, when a spill occurs, either because of an accident or through a leak in the truck, it can cause additional harm and injuries. Victims who come in contact with the dangerous materials can suffer additional injuries, and leaks can lead to hazardous road conditions that can cause other accidents on the roadway.
Injuries Caused by Tanker Truck Accidents
A driver can incur injuries from a tanker truck accident can be severe, given the size and force of a commercial truck combined with its hazardous cargo. Some of the most common injuries reported include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial trauma
- Blindness
- Respiratory tract and lung injuries
- Severe bone fractures
- Crushing injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns and lacerations
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Death
Compensation For Truck Accident Victims
Anyone injured in a tanker truck accident deserves to be compensated for their injuries. Damages can include all out-of-pocket costs for victims such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and the loss of future income and benefits in addition to compensation for the less tangible harms like pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Talk To Our Office Now
If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision in the Nashville area, call or contact Mitch Grissim & Associates today to learn more about your legal options with a free consultation.
