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According to the Federal Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 1,300 cargo tank rollovers occur in the United States every year. When cargo tanks rollover, the accidents can be catastrophic for anyone near the truck and the cargo tank drivers.

Excessive speed can be a contributing factor in cargo tank rollovers, but other factors such as driver error, vehicle defects, load effects, and highway factors also play a role.

• Driver Error – According to the FMCSA, over 78 percent of cargo tank rollovers involve driver error. Drowsy, distracted, inattentive, or speeding cargo tank drivers can cause a rollover accident. 

• Vehicle Defects – Defects such as steering and brake mechanisms can contribute to cargo tank rollovers. 

• Load Effects - Cargoes such as gas and oil can move easily during travel. A sudden shift in cargo can cause a crash, even if the cargo tank is only partially full. 

• Highway Factors – Weather or road conditions such as heavy winds or slippery roads can cause a rollover. 

The FMCSA recommends that drivers who are sharing the roads with cargo tanks do the following 10 things:

1. Stay Out of Blind Spots – Large trucks, such as cargo tank trucks, have huge blind spots. If you can’t see the driver in the vehicle side mirror, assume the driver can’t see you. Don’t drive in a blind spot – slow down or move ahead to stay visible and take extra care when merging.
2. Pass Safely –

• Make sure you can see the driver in the vehicle mirror. Signal clearly then move into the left lane and accelerate so that you can get past the truck safely and pass promptly. Don’t linger in the blind spot. 
• Make sure the truck is visible in your rearview mirror before you pull in front; give it extra space.
• Don’t pass trucks on downgrades where they tend to pick up speed, and never pass from the right lane.
• When a truck is passing, stay to the right and slow down; give them extra space to change lanes or merge in from ramps.

3. Don’t Cut It Close – It’s especially dangerous to “cut off” a cargo tank truck. If you move in quickly, you’ll likely be in a blind spot. Even if you’re visible, the vehicle may not be able to slow quickly to avoid a crash because of the amount of time it takes to stop.
4. Stay Back - Tailgating a truck puts you in a blind spot. Because trucks are high off the ground, your vehicle could slide (or get pushed) under a truck in a crash. Stay back when stopped, particularly on an upgrade, where a truck might roll back.
5. Anticipate Wide Turns - Trucks need extra turning room. They swing wide or may start a turn from a middle lane. Never try to squeeze by or get between a turning vehicle and the curb. Never “block the box” at an intersection or stop in front of the line, so trucks can turn safely.
6. Be Patient - Trucks need time to accelerate and sometimes use technology like speed limiters. Honking, driving aggressively, or weaving through traffic can cause dangerous distractions and crashes.
7. Buckle Up - Using a safety belt is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to save lives. Make sure kids always ride in the back seat, buckled up, or in car seats.
8. Stay Focused – If you need to attend to anything except driving, get off the road and stop. Driving distracted is as dangerous as driving impaired.
9. Don’t Drive Fatigued - Take regular breaks, get another driver to relieve you, or get off the road and find a safe place to rest.
10. Don’t Drive Under the Influence - Alcohol and other drugs impair judgment and reaction time. There is no safe limit for drinking before driving. Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may cause dizziness, sleepiness, and/or slow reaction time. If your medication carries a warning, have someone else drive or use other transportation.

If you or a loved one should be injured because of an accident with a cargo tank truck, please contact the Fort Myers truck accident attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. after seeking medical attention. We seek justice for cargo tank truck accident victims. Please contact Attorney Randall Spivey at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839 24/7.