Updated on: 3/11/2020
Three lanes of northbound Interstate 5 in Des Moines were blocked Friday morning after a truck spilled a large load of sticky sealant, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The crash and spill occurred just north of 216th Street around 8:20 a.m.
Images from the scene show a truck crashed into the barrier and a large amount of sealant spilled across the freeway. The spill blocked the two left lanes and the HOV lane.
State Patrol said a five-mile traffic backup had formed.
There were no immediate reports of injuries in the crash.
Dangers of Liquid Spills
You have probably read about a commercial truck causing a disastrous spill. Luckily, it doesn’t appear that the accident described above was too severe.
But any roadway spill can be extremely dangerous. Semi trucks carrying beverages, or any packaged liquid or commercial product, are susceptible to rollover crashes. If the liquids spill out, the surrounding roads could become slick and dangerous for other drivers.
It doesn’t take long for a multi-car collision to occur in these situations.
Even if no liquid spills from the semi truck, the liquid inside the truck may cause an imbalance in the tanker. Truck drivers sometimes lose control in these situations, leading to a rollover, jackknife, or other type of semi truck accident.
Trucks Carrying Hazardous Materials
Tanker trucks that transport non-packaged hazardous materials can pose a great danger if they crash.
Materials include:
- Gasoline
- Diesel fuel
- Oil
- Industrial chemicals
- Pesticides
- Nuclear waste
Many of the above materials are flammable, and fires are common when these crashes occur.
Additionally, other drivers and passengers that breathe in these hazardous materials are at risk.
Semi Truck Accident Victims Have Legal Rights
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury or property damage in any type of semi truck accident, you need the help of an experienced personal injury law firm with an impressive team of truck accident attorneys.
Attorney Chris Davis and the legal team at Davis Law Group, P.S., have years of experience representing victims of personal injury due to the negligence of trucking companies. For complete information on the options semi truck accident victims and their families have, contact us today.
Call (206) 727-4000, use the chat feature below or fill out the form on this page to get started. Case evaluations are free, and our attorneys charge nothing unless you win your case.
