Cargo Tank Truck Rollover Accidents
When it comes to road accidents, cargo tank truck rollovers are among the most dangerous. When a cargo tank truck driver loses control of their truck, the results can be devastating for the people around them. If a cargo tank truck rollover accident does not leave the involved people dead, it will often leave them with severe injuries. Unfortunately, cargo tank truck rollovers involving other vehicles or road users are common in Florida because of Florida’s busy highways.
What Causes Cargo Tank Truck Rollovers?
According to a report released by the FMCSA, more than 1,300 cargo tank truck rollovers happen every year. The FMCSA believes it is crucial for people to understand why such accidents occur if these numbers are to be reduced.
Many people believe that most cargo tank truck rollovers happen due to;
- poor driving conditions
- over speeding,
- careless driving, and
- inexperience.
However, according to the FMCSA, even though the above external conditions lead to truck rollover accidents, most rollovers are not caused by these external conditions. According to the FMCSA, most cargo tank truck rollovers are caused by;
- Driver error – According to the FMCSA, 78% of rollover truck accidents involved driver error, and in 90% of the cases, it was not the first rollover accident. In the case of a truck rollover accident, a first event is a dangerous event that occurs before the rollover. According to the FMCSA, some of the dangerous events that occur before a cargo tank truck rolls over include drowsiness, inattention, or a truck driver incorrectly making a turn at an intersection.
- Vehicle condition – According to one particular study referenced by the FMCSA, more than 50% of vehicles that are involved in rollover accidents had a brake defect of some sort.
- Load size – Many cargo truck rollovers occur mostly among cargo tanks with partial loads. It is believed that more than 94% of rollovers occur in trucks with a partial load. As difficult as it can be to drive a cargo tank truck with a full tank of liquid, it can be even more challenging to drive a cargo tank truck with a partial load. This is because, with partial loads, there is more room for the liquid to move. A sudden shift in cargo can lead to a rollover.
Types of Possible Injuries
A cargo tank rollover accident can cause, among others, the following life-changing injuries;
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
The materials that cargo tank trucks transport, such as crude oil, gasoline, and flammable gases, are essential to the economy. Unfortunately, after a cargo tank truck rollover accident occurs, those materials too can harm the people around.
Legal Help Is Available
Catastrophic injuries sustained in a cargo tank truck rollover accident can result in a lot of losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not looking out for you. So, if you, a family member, a friend, or someone you know has been in a cargo tank truck rollover accident, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you obtain compensation for, among others, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We can help even in a wrongful death case. You deserve justice. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Ocala, Fort Myers, and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/FINAL_Cargo_Tank_Rollover_Fact_Sheet_508CLN.pdf
