Tupelo Tanker Truck Accidents

Following a crash involving a tanker truck, it is important to alert authorities to the scene. Police may respond in addition to fire trucks and emergency medical personnel. Many times, the road or interstate will be shut down for hours, if not longer, to prevent people from coming into contact with toxic gas or chemicals.

If chemicals are released from the tank, exposure could result in a victim contracting a dangerous medical condition or disease. If the tanker truck explodes, victims could sustain permanent burn injuries, such as a third degree burn. Intense wound care and surgery may be needed to treat this type of injury. However, evidence of the burn may never completely go away. Damages available in a tanker truck accident case can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and scarring. Proving permanent scarring may be accomplished through testimony or documentation from a plastic surgeon. To understand what damages may apply to your situation, you should consult with a truck accident lawyer in Tupelo soon after the wreck.

Recovering monetary damages often depends on the plaintiff being able to prove negligence against the truck driver or trucking company for the incident. The truck driver could be responsible for driving in an unsafe manner, including speeding or failing to maintain a safe lookout. An example is a tanker truck driver speeding as he merges onto Interstate 22 in Tupelo and rear ending a vehicle stopped in traffic. If this happens, and if the truck driver was acting within the course and scope of his employment, the trucking company could be vicariously responsible for the driver’s negligence and resulting damages. This fact could make a large difference in the victim’s ultimate recovery.

There are certain situations where the trucking company itself could be deemed negligent after a tanker truck accident. One such way is by violating federal trucking regulations regarding the transport of hazardous materials. If the truck driver does not understand how to safely transport these materials, the employer could be liable for negligent training. Proving a trucking company’s direct negligence is typically accomplished through expert testimony. A Tupelo attorney who understands how to handle complex truck accident cases can retain experts when needed to prove liability.