Columbus Tanker Truck Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy when tanker trucks cause deaths and serious injuries
Tanker trucks provide the chemicals, fuel, and water that the residents and businesses in Columbus need. They require special skills to drive. Tanker trucks usually take up the full width of a lane and are much longer than most vehicles. When accidents happen, any chemicals could ignite. Most tanker truck accidents cause fatalities or catastrophic injuries. At Soroka & Associates, we have the experience and working relationships to handle any truck of commercial truck accident, including tanker truck accidents. Our Columbus tanker truck accident lawyers demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages. Call us now to assert your right to compensation.
How can we help?
- What are tanker trucks?
- What regulations govern tanker trucks in Columbus?
- Why are tanker trucks dangerous?
- Why do tanker truck accidents happen in Columbus?
- What types of injuries do tanker trucks cause in Central Ohio?
- Who is liable for a tanker truck accident in Columbus?
- What damages can be awarded in a tanker truck accident case?
- Do you have a Columbus tanker truck accident lawyer near me?
What are tanker trucks?
According to Inbound Logistics, tanker trucks transport gases, liquids, and dry bulk throughout the world, including central Ohio. Tanker trucks come in different sizes, starting with smaller tankers that carry less than 3,00 gallons to larger tankers that carry more than 11,600 gallons. Large tankers generally transport oil and gas (hazardous materials). Smaller tanker trucks deliver fuel to service stations, water to extinguish fires, and chemicals to industrial locations. Smaller tankers are generally easier to maneuver than large tankers.
Tanker trucks include:
- Cargo tank trucks
- Corrosive cargo tanks that transport sulfuric or nitric acid, and other highly corrosive materials
- Compressed gas cargo tankers that “specialize in transporting compressed gases and delivering propane, LPG, and anhydrous ammonia”
- Cryogenic cargo tank trucks that are insulated vehicles that transport cargo at low temperatures
- High-pressure tube tanks and trailer trucks that provide “a continuous gas supply for businesses and eliminating the need for frequent cylinder changes”
- Dry bulk pneumatic hopper trailers that use “pressurized air to unload materials through a piping system.”
What regulations govern tanker trucks in Columbus?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulate many aspects of tanker truck deliveries, including:
- Driver qualifications
- Cargo loading and unloading
- Vehicle operation
- Hours of service
There are many tank safety regulations, including:
- Spill containment systems to prevent leaks during accidents.
- Pressure relief valves to manage internal tank pressure.
- Emergency shutoff mechanisms for quick response in emergencies.
- Rollover protection to maintain tank integrity on impact.
- Regular inspections and maintenance to ensure safety.
- Driver training programs focusing on hazardous material.
Generally, tanker trucks have five axles, which means their maximum weight limit is about 80,000 pounds.
Why are tanker trucks dangerous?
Our Columbus tank truck accident lawyers handle all types of tanker truck accidents. Tanker trucks, due to their size, weight, dimensions, and cargo, are likely to cause serious accidents. Some of the reasons tanker truck accidents are particularly dangerous include the following:
- The possibility of explosions and fires.
- The possibility of spills of hazardous materials, which can create dangerous and long-term health hazards, and create havoc for any vehicles near the spill or the tanker truck.
- The likelihood of multiple vehicle accidents along I-70 and 71, I-270, US Route 270, and many other Columbus roads.
Why do tanker truck accidents happen in Columbus?
At Soroka & Associates, we work with the police, our own investigators, truck safety professionals, traffic reconstruction experts, and other professionals (and through the discovery process) to determine how your tanker truck accident happened. Some of the causes of tanker truck accidents are:
- Moving cargo. The shifting cargo can make it difficult for the driver to control the tanker truck.
- Dangerous chemicals. The hazardous substances can spill, leak, or ignite, creating other accidents, dangers for first responders, and the need for special cleanup efforts
- The negligence of the tanker truck driver. Accidents can happen due to driver fatigue, driver distraction, speeding, blind spots, and many other causes.
- Improper cargo loading. The load should be properly secured. The load shouldn’t be heavier than the truck can handle.
- Defective truck parts. A tire blowout, bad brakes, or other defects can endanger the driver and every vehicle or person near the tanker truck.
- Other causes. These causes include adverse climate conditions, faulty road design or maintenance, and improperly supervised construction work.
What types of injuries do tanker trucks cause in Central Ohio?
Our Columbus personal injury lawyers work with your doctors to verify your injuries, understand all the treatments you will need, and understand every way your injuries are making your life painful and difficult. Some of the injuries due to tanker truck accidents that we handle include the following:
- Burn injuries. Explosions, fires, and spills from tanker truck accidents can cause thermal and chemical burns (through inhalation or skin contact), causing scarring, disfigurement, and psychological trauma.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).The size and weight of a tanker truck can be overwhelming. Other drivers and passengers may suffer physical pain, emotional suffering, cognitive impairments, and other trauma due to TBIs. Victims may never fully recover. Many require a lifetime of medical care.
- Spinal cord injuries. A collision with a tanker truck can cause herniated disks, paralysis, and chronic pain.
- Internal organ damage. The force of a tanker truck accident can damage a person’s kidneys, lungs, spleen, and other organs. Internal organ damage and internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
- Respiratory disorders. The fumes and direct exposure to dangerous tanks can cause breathing and other respiratory complications.
- Other injuries. Tanker truck accidents in Columbus can also cause:
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Broken bones/fractures
- Nerve, tissue, and muscle damage
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Hearing or vision loss
- Scarring and disfigurement
Tragically, many tanker truck accidents are fatal.
Who is liable for a tanker truck accident in Columbus?
Our Columbus truck accident lawyers hold everyone responsible for your accident or the death of a loved one accountable. The defendants may include one or more of the following:
- The tanker truck driver
- The employer of the tanker truck driver
- The owner of the tanker truck
- The companies involved in loading the cargo
- A governmental entity/agency for violating its duty to provide safe roads
- Manufacturers of defective truck parts
- Other drivers
- Other responsible parties
What damages can be awarded in a tanker truck accident case?
We demand compensation for all your current and future:
- Medical bills of every nature
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of income and benefits, including long-term disability compensation
- Property damage
- Loss of bodily function
The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures - Loss of consortium
We file wrongful death claims if a loved one dies in a tanker truck accident.
Do you have a Columbus tanker truck accident lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet clients at our Columbus, Ohio, office located at 503 South Front Street, Suite 205. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can make arrangements to see you at your home or a convenient location. We also conduct consultations by phone and through online video platforms like Zoom.
Our lawyers are here to answer your questions and guide you through the claims process.
Speak with our accomplished Columbus tanker truck accident lawyers now
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a tanker truck crash, our experienced truck accident attorneys can uncover the cause and pursue full compensation for your injuries, medical costs, and suffering. At Soroka & Associates, we’ve helped many accident victims obtain strong recoveries. Please call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.