Terrie Tudor Injured In Teutopolis Tanker Truck Accident
Truck Accident - October 8, 2023
Terrie Tudor, of Union, Missouri, Injured From Anhydrous Ammonia Exposure After Tanker Truck Accident on U.S. Highway 40 in Teutopolis
TEUTOPOLIS, ILLINOIS (October 7, 2023) – A 61-year-old person identified as Terrie Tudor was injured in a Teutopolis tanker truck accident on U.S. Highway 40.
Effingham County officials are saying that the accident took place early Friday morning. A vehicle was attempting to pass a tanker truck which led to a multi-vehicle collision.
The tanker truck spilled more than half of its load of anhydrous ammonia which prompted a local evacuation. Drivers and passengers of nearby vehicles began to flee the area in order to get away from the toxic gas leak.
Terrie Tudor was identified as one of five people who were airlifted from the scene in order to receive treatment. Two other people were taken to the hospital.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is currently working to clean up the chemical spill. A full investigation into the accident that injured Terrie Tudor and many others remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Effingham County Chemical Spills
Chemical spills can be extremely dangerous. This is true both for those directly involved and those that may be indirectly exposed. Anhydrous ammonia can be particularly dangerous. According to the Centers For Disease Control, “Ammonia is a toxic gas or liquid that, when concentrated, is corrosive to tissues upon contact. Exposure to ammonia in sufficient quantities can be fatal.” Ammonia is used in a variety of commercial applications including:
- Manufacturing
- Refrigeration
- Agriculture (as a fertilizer)
- Pesticides
- Textiles
- Wasterwater treatment
The company responsible for transporting a hazardous material truck could be liable for a leak in the event of a collision. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. A truck driver may have failed to follow safety regulations with respect to transporting highly volatile chemicals. There are many steps that truck drivers should take in order to prevent chemical spills.
- Trucks that are transporting volatile chemicals should have hazard signs around all sides of the truck.
- Truck drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Truck drivers should ensure that they do not follow vehicles at an unsafe distance.
- Truck drivers that are carrying hazardous loads will typically need to drive at reduced speeds.
Exposure to anhydrous ammonia can lead to serious injury or death. In particular, people may develop breathing problems from damage to their lungs. Any person that is injured in a chemical spill accident may be able to seek aid through a bodily injury claim. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.
Investigating Effingham County Tanker Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Terrie Tudor and all of the other people injured in this accident. It is our sincere hope that all of the injured will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of all of the victims and their families.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Illinois ammonia accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys are committed to getting accident victims justice and holding companies accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of help after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
