Tanker Truck Accident Lawyer

Last Updated on August 3, 2026 by Patrick A. Salvi II

Commercial trucks play a vital role in our economy, but these vehicles can wreak havoc on the roads. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 2,075 crashes involving tractor-trailers in which someone was injured in a recent year. In the same year, 106 fatal crashes occurred. Tanker trucks were involved in some of these crashes. These vehicles present unique dangers to other drivers on the road.

If you were injured by a tanker truck, the truck accident lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. are standing by to help. Since our founding more than 40 years ago, we’ve recovered more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients, including the largest personal injury verdict for an individual plaintiff in Illinois history. To schedule your free initial consultation, call us or visit our contact page.

What Is a Tanker Truck?

A tanker truck is a semi-truck that’s connected to a large tank used for hauling liquids and certain kinds of gases. Tanker trucks are easily identified by their cylindrical tanks and are often seen at places like gas stations. Depending on what the truck is hauling, these tanks can be insulated, pressurized, or vacuum sealed.

Fuel Truck and Gasoline Tanker Accidents

A fuel truck is a specialized tanker built to transport gasoline, diesel, and other combustible liquids to gas stations, fleet depots, and industrial facilities across the Chicago area. When a fuel truck is involved in a collision, the danger does not end with the initial impact. A ruptured tank can release thousands of gallons of flammable liquid onto the roadway, and a single spark from damaged metal or the pavement itself may ignite a fire or trigger an explosion. Victims of these fuel truck accidents frequently suffer catastrophic burn injuries, smoke inhalation, and permanent scarring that require years of reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation.

Determining who is responsible for a fuel truck or gasoline tanker crash often requires looking beyond the driver alone. Under Illinois law, liability may extend to the motor carrier that employed the driver and maintained the vehicle, the shipper that arranged transport of the hazardous liquid, and the party that loaded the cargo when improper filling or securement contributed to the spill. Identifying every responsible party is essential, because several separate insurance policies may be available to compensate a seriously injured victim. Our fuel truck accident lawyers act quickly to preserve evidence and to pursue each party whose negligence contributed to the collision.

Are Tankers More Dangerous Than Other Commercial Trucks?

All large trucks are more dangerous than other kinds of vehicles. A passenger vehicle may run from 15-25 feet long and weigh 3,000-6,000 pounds. In comparison, a tractor-trailer is about 70 feet long and can weigh anywhere from 35,000-80,000 pounds, depending on the weight of the cargo being transported. This added size and weight means that tanker trucks collide with much greater force, leading to more severe injuries.

Tanker trucks also place drivers at additional risk because of what they carry. Tanker trucks sometimes haul corrosive, flammable cargo like gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and even radioactive materials. Due to this cargo, it is often much more difficult to handle tanker trucks than other kinds of trucks.

Furthermore, if the tank is punctured in a crash, the contents can spill all over the road, creating hazards for other motorists. In some cases, these materials can ignite or explode, leading to even greater injuries in fuel truck accidents.

How Can a Tanker Truck Accident Occur?

There are many ways in which a tanker truck accident can occur. Some of the most common causes include:

The truck driver is distracted.
The truck driver is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The truck driver is speeding.
The truck driver is driving aggressively.
The truck driver is fatigued.
The truck driver is inexperienced or didn’t receive proper training.
The truck’s cargo isn’t properly secured or is unbalanced.
There’s a mechanical defect with the truck or some kind of equipment failure.

Injuries Resulting from a Tanker Truck Crash

The additional size and weight of tanker trucks mean that the injuries from accidents involving tanker trucks are often more severe. Some of the most common injuries from tanker crush crashes include:

Severe bruises and lacerations
Broken bones
Injuries to ligaments, tendons, muscles, or internal organs
Crushed or severed limbs
Severe burns
Neck and back injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Death

Government Regulations for Tanker Trucks

To cut down on the number of tanker truck drivers hauling cargo without sufficient experience, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires these drivers to get a specific endorsement on their commercial driver’s license. This endorsement is required in cases where:

The cargo includes liquids or gases in containers with a capacity greater than 119 gallons.
The total combined volume of cargo exceeds 1,000 gallons.
The container or containers are loaded.

Federal law also dictates which credentials a driver must carry to operate a tank vehicle lawfully. To haul liquid or gaseous cargo in a tank, a driver must obtain a tank-vehicle ‘N’ endorsement on the commercial driver’s license, which requires passing a specialized knowledge examination covering the handling and stability of liquid loads. When the cargo qualifies as hazardous material, such as gasoline or other flammable liquids, the driver must also hold a HAZMAT ‘H’ endorsement, which requires additional testing and a Transportation Security Administration background check. A carrier that permits an unqualified or improperly endorsed driver to operate a fuel tanker may share liability for a resulting crash.

Additionally, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) also requires drivers to get a Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) endorsement to transport certain kinds of cargo. There are also specific design requirements for tanker trucks to make sure there are no leaks and that the cargo can be transported safely.

Compensation in Your Tanker Truck Accident Claim

The injuries and financial losses from a tanker truck crash are often substantial. If you’ve been involved in a tanker accident, you could receive compensation for:

The cost of your past and future medical bills
The value of any lost wages as a result of your accident
Your reduced capacity to earn a living, if your injuries resulted in a permanent disability
The value of any property that was damaged or destroyed in the crash
Your physical pain and suffering
Your mental anguish and reduced quality of life

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get legal help for a tanker truck accident injury?

Victims of tanker and fuel truck crashes in Illinois can obtain experienced legal help from the attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Our Chicago firm has represented injured clients for more than 40 years and has recovered more than $3.5 billion on their behalf. We invite you to schedule a free consultation, during which we review the circumstances of your truck accident and explain the legal options available to you.

How do I find a lawyer for a tanker truck accident case?

When searching for a lawyer to handle a tanker truck accident case, look for a firm with specific experience litigating complex trucking and hazardous-materials claims. These cases often involve federal regulations, electronic logging device records, and multiple liable parties, so proven trial experience and investigative resources are essential. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has secured more than 400 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more, and our attorneys are prepared to evaluate your claim during a free case review.

How soon should I hire a lawyer after a tanker truck accident?

You should consult a lawyer as soon as possible after a tanker truck accident, because critical evidence can disappear within days of a crash. Electronic logging devices and the truck’s engine control module, often called the black box, may record data that is essential to proving fault, yet this information can be lost or overwritten if it is not preserved promptly. Illinois generally allows only two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Retaining counsel early allows your attorney to secure evidence, manage insurers, and protect your right to seek full compensation.

How Our Tanker Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

If you were injured in a tanker truck accident, you are likely in no condition to wage a major legal battle against a trucking company. A tanker truck accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need while you focus on getting better.

Here are some of the ways our firm can help:

Investigating your claim and identifying all potentially liable parties and sources of compensation
Gathering evidence to support your claim
Handling all your legal communication to ensure you don’t say anything that could jeopardize your claim
Negotiating for the maximum possible settlement
Preparing your case for trial if you do not receive a fair settlement offer
Helping you find the right doctors and other specialists to help you get back on your feet

Our diverse team of top litigators have the skill to aggressively fight for the rights of our deserving clients. We will use our resources to help you pursue the compensation owed to you. You can arrange a free consultation with one of our tanker truck accident attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. by calling our firm or visiting our contact page. Our firm’s results in trucking cases include a $17.9 million truck accident verdict, and we bring that same dedication to every tanker and fuel truck claim we handle. Our Chicago truck accident lawyers have the experience, resources, and investigative team necessary to hold negligent trucking companies and their insurers accountable after a tanker or fuel truck crash.