When a cargo tank rolls over on an Ohio roadway, hazardous materials inside of the tank can cause a fire or an explosion. The cargo tanks that are traveling across the highways in the United States are often carrying large loads of gasoline, flammable gases and crude oil. That’s why the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is very interested in understanding what causes cargo tank rollovers and how to prevent these accidents.
According to the FMCSA, driver error is a contributing factor in most cargo tank rollovers. Some of the most common driver errors that can cause a rollover include incorrect turns at intersections, driving up on a curb and drifting onto a soft shoulder. In 90 percent of these cases, the rollover was not the first dangerous event to occur right before the accident.
Other factors that contribute to cargo tank rollovers include vehicle condition and load size. The FMCSA says that a study showed that more than half of all cargo tank rollovers involve a vehicle that had faulty brakes. More than 60 percent of cargo tank rollovers happen when the cargo tank is partially filled. Drivers transporting cargo tanks with partial loads of liquids could be subject to the ‘slosh and surge” effect.
There could be multiple parties that may be assigned civil responsibility for a cargo tank rollover. The truck driver could be held responsible for driver error while the trucking company may be liable for improper truck maintenance. In some cases, manufacturing defects could result in an accident and make the vehicle manufacturer liable for injuries and deaths. A victim who has been injured in an accident involving a cargo tank rollover might want to talk to an attorney about how to pursue compensation from all of the responsible parties.