Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Tanker Truck Crash Results in Fatality in Johnston County
A tanker truck accident happened on I-42 (US 70) in Johnston County, near Clayton, closing the eastbound lanes for several hours. The crash occurred in the early evening hours. First responders rushed to the scene, including the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, firefighters from nearby Clayton, and EMS from Johnston County. The driver of the tanker died at the scene in a rollover accident.
What are Tanker Trucks?
Tankers are heavy-duty trucks that have specialized cylinders designed to transport liquid or similar materials. Some of the materials they may carry include gases, liquids, or powders such as fuel, chemicals, milk, sand, and other substances. The large cylindrical tanks may typically hold between 3,000 and 11,000 gallons of liquid. In some cases, they transport hazardous materials. In this case, the tanker was carrying animal waste.
Tanker Trucks Can Be Dangerous
Because of their size, weight, and design, tankers can have some challenges on the roads. It is difficult for them to turn, and they have limited vision with some inherent blind spots. Tankers are very heavy, and when moving it can take some time to stop, especially when traveling at higher speeds. Turning and traveling around curves can be tricky due to size and cargo. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), tanker trucks are more likely to rollover in a crash than other types of trucks. This may be due to the unpredictable shifting of liquids or other contents of the cylinder that can change the center of gravity.
What Caused This Tanker Truck Crash?
When a crash occurs, a full investigation will need to be completed, which can take some time. However, early statements from the responders at this crash indicated that inattention and oversteering likely played some roles in the accident. Many accidents are the result of distracted driving. When a driver is distracted, their reaction times are reduced. When they come upon a situation that is challenging, they do not have time to react properly. In this case, the tanker truck driver oversteered, causing the tanker to roll over. Even though the driver was wearing his seatbelt, he was killed in the crash.
Accidents With Large Tanker Trucks
Accidents with tanker trucks can be serious and may result in severe injuries or fatalities. Tankers may rollover onto other vehicles on the road or in front of vehicles that cannot stop in time to prevent a crash. Because they are extremely heavy, tanker trucks can do a lot of damage to other vehicles and passengers. In addition, the contents of the tanker could spill onto the roadway, causing a hazmat situation. If the contents are flammable, a major fire could occur in a crash. Injuries may include brain trauma, neck and back injuries, burn injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and more. Recovery may take months or longer, requiring surgical intervention and lengthy rehabilitation.
If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident with a tanker truck, you may be owed money to cover your medical costs and other damages. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a free initial consultation with our experienced legal team.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.wral.com/news/local/tractor-trailer-crash-i-42-johnston-march-2026/
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