Because tanker trucks are so much larger and heavier than other vehicles, the injuries and property damage they cause in an accident are worse than in a typical car accident. Most of the time, a tanker truck accident will cause serious injuries and may be fatal.
Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC tanker truck accident lawyers will investigate every factor that may have contributed to the crash, including driver actions, cargo loading practices, vehicle maintenance, and compliance with federal trucking regulations. Our team works with accident reconstruction specialists and industry experts to determine how the collision occurred and who is responsible.
Have you or a loved one been in a tanker truck accident in Washington, DC? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will reach out to you personally to discuss your case. We’re available 24/7 and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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After a serious crash with a tanker truck, many victims are left wondering what their legal options are and how DC law applies to their situation. If you or a loved one were injured in a tanker truck accident, a DC truck accident lawyer can help explain who may be legally responsible and what damages may be available. A case may proceed against the driver, the trucking company, or other parties involved in the crash, and you may be able to file a claim for compensation under DC personal injury law.
We have a history of success obtaining multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients, including in complex truck accident cases where identifying responsible parties and proving the full extent of damages was critical.
Whether you’re ready to file a claim or you’re not sure if a lawsuit is the right choice for you, call (202) 978-4851 to speak with the truck accident lawyers of Regan Zambri Long for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case and talk to you about your rights.
Many tanker truck accidents are fatal to people in smaller passenger vehicles. Smaller cars, and even SUVs, are no match for the size and weight of a tanker truck. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles are four times more likely to be severely injured or killed than drivers of commercial tanker trucks.
The most common causes of tanker truck accidents are:
A tanker truck is also known as a tank truck, gas truck, or fuel truck. They carry liquids or gases. The largest tanker trucks are semi-trailer trucks. They are known for being difficult to drive safely, in part because the cargo they carry moves and sloshes around as the truck moves. They are also and highly prone to rollover because of their high center of gravity.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that commercial truck drivers were involved in over 500,000 crashes in the U.S. in 2022. These accidents cause catastrophic injuries to thousands of people, especially those in smaller passenger vehicles. In 2023, 5,472 people died in large truck crashes across the nation, with a further 153,452 injured. 70% of those killed in truck crashes were in other, smaller vehicles.
Because tanker trucks are so much larger and heavier than other vehicles, the injuries and property damage they cause are worse than in a typical car accident. If a commercial truck driver operates his vehicle in violation of traffic and safety rules and causes a tanker truck accident, the injuries will likely be serious. In addition, your car is likely to be severely damaged. If a pedestrian or a motorcyclist are truck accident victims, the risk of fatal injury and death is very high.
Unfortunately, many people are killed in accidents with tanker trucks. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the DC region shows how often large trucks are involved in deadly collisions. In Virginia, large trucks were involved in 9.2% of fatal traffic crashes in 2023, while in Maryland crashes involving large trucks accounted for 8% of roadway deaths. While FMCSA crash data for 2025 shows that the there were no fatal truck crashes in the District of Columbia, 49 people were killed truck accidents in Maryland, and a further 101 died in Virginia.
In many tanker truck accidents, there is more than one cause and more than one at-fault party. It could be that a driver is speeding and the tire pressure is too low, both of which causes the truck to roll over while taking a curve. In these circumstances, the company and the driver would all be at-fault parties that caused the accident.
Other responsible parties include:
When you are injured in a crash with a tanker truck, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost time at work, and other kinds of compensation. The person responsible for the accident may be required to pay you for your injuries and reimburse you for your expenses. That could be the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the maintenance company, or the manufacturer. Sometimes more than one person is responsible.
Even when you are entitled to compensation, it can be difficult to get the money you deserve. Tanker truck accident claims are complex. You will need to show that the driver or a company was at fault and you were not. You must prove that your injuries and damages to your car were caused by the crash. Many trucking companies rely upon their insurance companies and lawyers to aggressively negotiate a truck accident settlement and deny your claims. This could mean that the insurance company will make a settlement offer too low to cover your damages, injuries, lost time at work, and the like. If a settlement payment too low to cover your medical expenses and related losses is offered, an experienced DC truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
When you are injured in an accident, you must file your claim against the at-fault parties within a specific period of time called the statute of limitations. Under §12–301 of the DC Code and §5–109 of the Code of Maryland, you must file your tanker truck accident claim within three years of the accident. In Virginia, you have even less time: according to §8.01-243 of the Virginia Code, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your truck accident lawsuit. If you do not, you will not be able to pursue your claim.
If you pursue a tanker truck accident case in court against the truck driver or trucking company, personal injury law will apply. Your case will be called a personal injury claim.
For those who pursue truck accident cases on behalf of family members who were killed in a tanker truck accident, the case will be a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you file suit against the truck manufacturer, then your claim may be a products liability claim for a defective part.
All provide “full and fair compensation” for losses suffered as a result of the truck crash. This includes compensation for medical expenses, at-home care, physical therapy, lost wages, loss of future earning potential if your loved one died, physical pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
If you were injured in a tanker truck accident, you may have mounting medical bills but be unable to work while you try to recover. You may never be able to return to work fully if your injuries caused a permanent disability. We know how challenging life can be after an accident. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not charge attorney fees to you unless we recover money for you in court or a settlement.
The DC truck accident lawyers of Regan Zambri Long have extensive negotiation and trial experience handling tanker truck accident cases. We advise our clients successfully based upon our years of experience handling lawsuits in the trucking industry.
Our legal team is made up of a dedicated group of trial lawyers. Our lawyers represent accident victims with empathy and consideration. We are passionate about helping victims and their families put their lives back together and move forward in the best way possible after an accident.
Our truck accident lawyers are among the top lawyers in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, with many awards. Some of the recognition our personal injury lawyers have earned are:
Contact Regan Zambri Long now to speak with an experienced DC truck wreck attorney. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.