Tractor-Trailer Accident Causes a Cargo Spill in Texas 

On February 23, a tractor-trailer clipped another semi that was pulled over to the side of the road. The impact of the crash caused one of the trucks to roll and spill fuel and batteries.

The Cargo Spill Accident

On Wednesday, February 22, a tractor-trailer was heading west on Interstate 10 between San Antonio and Sonora, Texas. The driver encountered a mechanical issue near the Kerr and Gillespie County Line and pulled over. 

While waiting for a tow truck, the semi driver turned on his hazard lights and set out reflective safety signs to warn other drivers. He stayed in the passenger seat of the tractor-trailer until the next morning.

Just after 7:30 a.m. the next day, Thursday, February 23, another truck was driving west on I-10 when it clipped the broken-down tractor-trailer. The impact of the crash caused the second semi to roll over and spill its cargo.

The truck leaked about 3,800 gallons of fuel onto the road. The tractor-trailer was also carrying batteries that spilled. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, authorities shut down the road and called in Hazmat to clear the scene.

The two drivers were the only ones involved in the crash, and neither of them reported any injuries. 

The Danger of Cargo Spills in Trucking Accidents

We rely on the trucking industry to get supplies across the country. These trucks carry all types of items, from fuel and wood to groceries and home goods. However, when these vehicles are involved in accidents, there is a risk of that cargo spilling. Depending on the materials they’re carrying, the cargo spill could cause serious injuries that extend beyond the initial crash.

• Burns — Burns from a cargo spill can be either chemical or thermal. A chemical burn can be caused by exposure to radioactive chemicals, gasoline, or explosives. A thermal burn can happen if the cargo spill exposes you to hot metals or flames.  
• Poisoning — Certain trucks can carry chemicals and toxic gases that are poisonous when exposed to the air. Common symptoms of poisoning include nausea, headache, skin redness, blistering, fever, chills, and unconsciousness. 
• Bodily Harm — Accidents can cause bodily harm, but so can any spilled cargo. Heavy items, like equipment or wood, can fall onto you or your vehicle and cause limb loss, nerve damage, internal bleeding, broken bones, cuts, or bruises. 
• Brain Injury — Brain injuries from a cargo spill can be a result of exposure to dangerous chemicals, but they can also be from a physical injury. 
• Death — Death can happen from prolonged exposure to dangerous toxins, life-threatening burns, or being crushed by cargo.

If you are involved in an accident in which cargo was spilled, it’s important to stay as far away as possible and let professionals handle the scene. It’s also essential that you get medical care as soon as possible.

If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys at Villalobos Law Firm to get started on your case.

Schedule A Free Appointment

Source: KSAT