Anyone who travels Massachusetts’ modern highway system with any frequency sees a large number of semi-trailer trucks hauling many different kinds of loads, from building materials to machinery to liquids. These vehicles travel at high speeds and often pose a hazard to other drivers. A recent truck accident on Highway 24 near Fall River appears to have been caused by the rollover of a semi-trailer tanker truck.
The accident occurred at about 5:15 a.m. on Route 24. The tanker truck rolled over, and its driver was killed. The tanker truck hit another vehicle, and that driver was hospitalized with serious injuries. The driver of the truck was 67-years-old, but no additional information has been released about him. The injured driver was hospitalized in a Rhode Island hospital.
Police said that the cause of the rollover was still unknown and that they are continuing their investigation. The collision spilled about 100 gallons of gasoline, and hazmat clean-up crews were called to the scene. The area around the tanker was coated with foam and sand in order to prevent the gasoline from spreading off the road. The tanker was carrying about 12,000 gallons when the accident occurred.
At this point, several parties may be held to be at fault depending upon what is revealed by the police investigation. The driver may have fallen asleep or the truck may not have been adequately maintained. If that is the case, the driver’s employer may be vicariously liable. The shipper of the gasoline may also bear some liability if it rented or otherwise controlled the schedule of the truck. In cases of this kind, the search for the party or parties that bear the lion’s share of liability may require the services of an experienced accident attorney. Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a multi-vehicle accident may wish to consult a knowledgeable lawyer for advice on seeking damages for medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering.
