Tanker Accident Involving Houston Semi Illustrates Risk of Dangerous Loads

A Diboll trucking accident spilled hot asphalt across the road, leaving the trucker with a broken arm and a head injury, according to Channel 9 News. The driver reportedly rounded the corner too quickly, causing his load to shift. He lost control of the truck, which overturned in the parking lot of a Chevron Station.

Thankfully, no innocent bystanders were hurt in the accident. However, veteran Houston trucking accident lawyers understand that injuries caused by loose or dangerous loads are a common result of Texas trucking accidents.

The 29-year-old driver was hauling a load of asphalt ready mix. As much as 3,000 gallons of the substance leaked from the tanker, where it was being heated to a temperature of 300 degrees. The resulting mess had to be covered with dirt and allowed to harden before it could be removed from the road several days later. Clean-up crews were also concerned about the contamination of a nearby creek.

The driver was transporting the load from Shreveport to Houston at the time of the accident. The truck belongs to EHC Trucking in Houston. The driver could be cited for making an unsafe turn, following the completion of the investigation.

Tankers can be particularly dangerous, both because of instability caused by sloshing liquid and because of the hazardous nature of many liquid loads. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducted a study on cargo tank roll stability, which found 482 fatal cargo tank rollover accidents in a six-year period.

Driver error was responsible in about three-quarters of all cases. Fifteen percent of fatal accidents involved driver distraction -- fewer than 10 percent involved weather. Perhaps most alarming, only about 15 percent occurred on the freeway -- meaning many more occurred in more residential areas. Running off the edge of the road was the number one cause of tanker rollovers.

The report found simulators would better permit drivers to receive the training necessary to properly react to a tanker emergency. However, the training has not been broadly adopted because of the expense of simulators.

Katy Accident Lawyer Joe Stephens, a personal injury trial law specialist, offers free consultations to accident victims in the Houston area. You may also request your free copy of Attorney Stephens' books, the Texas Accident Bible, A Survivor's Legal Guide and Hiring the Right Attorney. Call today at 713-224-0000 or contact us through this website.