A truck driver transporting oil cashed late last month, killing him and severely damaging the roadway in the resulting explosion. These tankers travel Houston-area roadways on a regular basis, and when an accident like this happens, they are a risk to everyone on the roads.
According to YourHoustonNews.com, the trucker seemed to lose control as he came down a ramp onto U.S. 59. He struck the barrier, hit both walls, and flipped the truck onto its side. The truck then exploded and the driver suffered fatal injuries.
“When the accident took place, the explosion not only damaged the concrete ramp itself, but the concrete railing as well,” said TxDOT spokesman Danny Perez.
It took several fire departments and Harris County Hazmat teams several hours to clean the accident scene. Then, the road had to be repaired due to “spalling and bubbling” in the concrete.
Such an accident could have been far worse, particularly if other vehicles had been on the ramp at the time the truck driver lost control. Several additional fatalities could have been possible.
These trucks, which carry all sorts of chemicals and oil products, pose real dangers to the motoring public. While the truck drivers tasked with transporting these products are professionals, accidents happen. And when a truck accident like this happens, the results can be tragic.
Whether you drive a truck or if you share the road with large tankers, you are likely aware of the risks. But these risks don’t mean much until you are actually involved in a crash. Then, their true danger really hits home.
As a Houston truck accident attorney, I see all types of crashes—from those that result in broken limbs, to those that end in death. If you are hurt in a Texas car or truck accident that wasn’t your fault, or if a loved one is killed, I may be able to help you get the justice you deserve. Contact me today.
