An 18-wheeler caught fire Tuesday evening, slowing and temporarily blocking traffic on the IH-610 overpass at IH-45 in South Houston. According to officials, no one was hurt in the accident, and no injuries have been reported. Thankfully, the portion of the vehicle that caught fire was the tractor-trailer, not the actual tanker, which was carrying sulfuric acid.

While no one was injured in Tuesday’s road fire, the even underscores just how dangerous semi-truck accidents can really be. If the tanker had caught fire, there could have been an explosion, and dozens could have been injured with fire or explosion injuries. The risk of sulfuric acid runoff is also a serious consideration. In this article, we address some of the most asked questions related to 18-wheeler accidents, including the serious potential for injury, and what to do if you find yourself caught in one.

Houston 18-wheeler Attorneys

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, whether as a direct result of a crash or because you happened to be in the area, you need to contact a personal injury attorney immediately. The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian have served clients injured in fires, explosions and crashes for over 20 years. Our attorneys understand who to contact, and how to make insurance companies listen after catastrophic accidents happen.

Don’t talk to the insurance companies – contact The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian instead at 713-714-1414, or by filling out our online contact form.

What Kind of Explosion and Fire Injuries Happen after 18-Wheeler Accidents in Houston?

Even individuals not directly involved in the crash may suffer injuries simply by being in the proximity of a burning or compromised tanker. Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Severe burn injuries: Flames, radiant heat, and flash-fire events can cause first-, second-, and third-degree burns that require long-term medical treatment.
  • Chemical burns and inhalation injuries: Substances like sulfuric acid can cause painful external burns, lung damage, respiratory distress, and long-term scarring.
  • Blast injuries: If a tanker explodes, victims may experience hearing loss, concussive injuries, fractures, and internal trauma.
  • Smoke inhalation: Toxic smoke from burning truck components or chemical cargo can cause oxygen deprivation, lung damage, and delayed-onset respiratory conditions.
  • Secondary crash injuries: Sudden visibility loss, panic braking, flying debris, and multi-vehicle pileups often cause whiplash, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.

Why do 18-Wheelers Explode?

Large commercial trucks move massive amounts of hazardous materials through Houston every day – fuel, industrial chemicals, corrosives, and flammable cargo. In addition, tractor-trailers carry tremendous kinetic energy. A single spark can escalate into a fireball or plume of toxic smoke when that force is combined with flammable or corrosive cargo.

  • Fuel line ruptures or electrical shorts: The impact of a collision can tear fuel lines, crack tanks, or expose electrical wiring, triggering ignition.
  • Explosive or flammable cargo: Tankers carrying fuel, solvents, or chemicals – like sulfuric acid – can ignite or react violently under heat or pressure.
  • Overturned trailers: A rollover increases the likelihood of cargo leakage, vapor cloud formation, or chemical reactions that can cause secondary explosions.
  • Chain-reaction crashes: Fires can spread quickly on busy highways, putting multiple drivers, first responders, and nearby businesses at risk.

What to Do If You Witness or Are Involved in a Truck Fire or Hazardous Materials Incident

Quick action can save lives. If you encounter a burning or leaking 18-wheeler:

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  • Move far away from the scene: Tanker trucks can explode without warning. Increase distance immediately.
  • Avoid smoke or vapor clouds: Chemical vapors can be toxic, corrosive, or combustible. Stay upwind and uphill whenever possible.
  • Call 911 and report the cargo placard: Emergency responders rely on hazmat placards to know what chemicals are involved.
  • Document your injuries and exposure: Even if you were not physically struck, chemical or smoke exposure can cause serious harm that may not appear until hours later.
  • Seek medical attention: Burns, inhalation injuries, and blast exposure require prompt evaluation – especially after hazmat-related events.

Why Are there So Many 18-Wheelr Accidents in Houston?

Houston’s industrial corridors – including the Ship Channel, IH-10, IH-45, Beltway 8, and IH-610 – carry some of the highest concentrations of chemical and fuel transport trucks in the country. Congested traffic and high-speed interchanges increase the odds that a single truck fire or chemical release could impact dozens of people.

Weather can also intensify risk. High heat, humidity, and strong winds can spread toxic smoke. Rain can carry corrosive chemicals into drainage systems, threatening nearby neighborhoods.

Contact an 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney in Houston

Contact the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian immediately if you or someone you love have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Houston or surrounding area. Our attorneys provide free consultations, and help guide your next steps: documentation, evaluation, and confrontation.

Immediately after an accident, we document everything, including injuries, dashcam footage and witness statements. Then, we evaluate the severity of your injuries. Finally, we use the collected information to confront the insurance company representing the driver of the crashed vehicle.

Hilda Sibrian serves the Houston metropolitan area, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper. Call our office today at 713-714-1414 or fill out our online contact form for more information.