Tanker truck accidents can be far more dangerous that semi truck accidents because of the hazardous, harmful, and often flammable and toxic cargo that they contain. When a tanker truck driver's negligence results in an accident not only are the occupants of other vehicles at risk but also those whose homes or workplaces are near the tanker truck spill area.
When a tanker truck hauling toxic and or flammable chemicals is involved in an accident which is so severe that it causes a spill onto the highway and surrounding landscape, the risk of injury to the community at large increases dramatically.
Tanker Truck Accident Settlements & Verdicts
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident involving a tanker or fuel truck, contact Chris Davis and the team at Davis Law Group at (206) 727-4000 to schedule your free legal consultation.
How Many Fuel or Tanker Truck Accidents Happen in Washington State Each Year?
Davis Law Group studied fuel truck accident data available from the Washington State Patrol and learned that the number of accident involving fuel trucks has been steadily increasing over the past several years.
During the four year period that spans from 2016 through 2019 there were 203 accidents involving fuel trucks in Washington State. Twenty-six percent (26%) of those accidents resulted in an injury or fatality.
# of Fuel Truck Accidents In Washington State
2016 - 45
2017- 46
2018 - 55
2019 - 57
Thirty percent (30%) of fuel truck crashes happened in King County; eleven percent (11%) in Pierce County: nine percent (9%) in Snohomish County; and seven percent (7%) in Spokane County.
Why Are Fuel Truck Accidents Increasing In Washington State?
Washington State's economic growth is leading to increased spending, manufacturing, shipping, etc – and contributing to an increase in trucking traffic and collisions.
What Are the Dangers of Chemical Truck Accidents?
Tanker trucks carrying flammable liquids or hazardous materials are basically giant moving bombs with a huge risk of fire or explosion.
- Explosions caused by ignition of flammable liquids.
- Toxic chemical exposure to humans and animals causing burns, injuries to eyes and lungs, and neurological damage.
- Contamination of local ground water.
- These types of accidents are far more common than is generally known.
What Types of Cargo Do Tanker Trucks Haul?
Although some trucks carry dairy products such as milk, in Washington State tanker trucks are primarily carrying toxic substances over roads and highways. Dangerous cargo includes:
- Industrial chemicals
- Radioactive materials
- Gasoline
- Ethanol
- Liquid Nitrogen
- Propane
- Agricultural Pesticides
- Diesel Fuel
- Petroleum-based Products
- Crude Oil
- Commercial Solvents
- Acetone
- Ammonia
- Butane
- Chlorine
- Cleaning Fluids
- Sulfuric Acid
- Radioactive Material
What Are Washington's Statistics for Highway Trucking Accident Chemical Spills?
According to data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a division of the US Department of Transportation,
not all chemical spills in Washington State involve a tanker truck or a motor vehicle accident. Many highway or roadway chemical spills are the result of loose or open valve closures; overfilled trucks; punctured tanks; human error and other causes. These spills can result in environmental disaster or toxic conditions for humans and wildlife.
What are the Causes of Tanker Truck Accidents & Highway Chemical Spills In Washington State
- Loose Closure, Component, or Device
- Human Error
- Impact with Sharp or Protruding Object
- Improper or Inadequate Preparation for Transportation
- Broken, Missing or Defective Component or Device
- Forklift Accident
- Dropped
- Inadequate Blocking and Bracing
- Too Much Weight/Too Heavy
- Vehicular Crash or Accident Damage
- Valve Left Open
- Corrosion, Deterioration or Aging
- Over-pressurized Tank
- Fire, Temperature, or Heat
What Substances Are Most Frequently Involved In Washington State Highway Trucking Spills?
- Paint Including Paint, Lacquer, Enamel, Stain, Shellac Solutions, Varnish, Polish, Liquid Filler and Liquid Lacquer Base
- Carbon Dioxide, Solid or Dry Ice
- Flammable Liquids
- Sodium Hydroxide, Solution
- Corrosive Liquids
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Peroxyacetic Acid Mixtures
- Corrosive Liquid
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Paint-Related Material Including Paint Thinning, Drying, Removing, Or Reducing Compound
- Gasoline
Tanker Truck Accident Attorney Legal Consultation
Our legal team is dedicated to helping you get the best possible result for your fuel truck accident injury case, as we have for each and every one of our clients over 25 years. If you or a loved one has been injured in a tanker or fuel accident in Washington State, it may be in your best interests to consult with an experienced accident attorney in Seattle. Call our office at (206) 727-4000.
