Have you ever had a moment on the road when a colossal tanker truck zoomed past you and your heart skipped a beat? It’s not just you; these giant trucks can indeed be risky companions on the highway.

There are several things that can go wrong with these massive vehicles. Consider these top five hazards.

They can flip over

Tanker trucks are top-heavy. When they aren’t full, they are even more likely to flip, especially if they have to swerve or take a turn too fast.

Cars can slide underneath them

Cars can be sucked under a tanker truck. It’s referred to as an underride accident when this happens. This can have serious consequences and is inherently dangerous, which is why some semitrucks have underride guards.

They often carry dangerous liquids

Many tanker trucks transport materials that could be harmful if they were to spill or catch fire in an accident. It’s like driving with a ticking time bomb – usually safe, but potentially catastrophic.

They can’t see you

A tanker truck has large blind spots, so you must ensure that you avoid those to the best of your ability as you drive. These are areas where the trucker can’t see you, and they extend around the entire vehicle.

They need a lot of room to stop

These heavy trucks need more space to come to a stop. If something sudden happens and the driver has to slam on the brakes, it will take them longer to stop than it would for a passenger vehicle to stop.

If you’re ever in a wreck with a tanker truck, it’s important to know what to do next. Seek medical care right away for any injuries. You may also opt to pursue a claim for compensation to offset any financial losses you’ve suffered in a crash that was either not your fault or only partially your fault.