Houston is the energy capital of the world. That means our highways carry tanker trucks loaded with some of the most dangerous substances on Earth. Crude oil, gasoline, and industrial chemicals move through Harris County every day. They travel on I-10, I-45, the Beltway 8, and through the heart of the city.

When these trucks crash, the results can be deadly. Fires, explosions, toxic spills, and mass evacuations can follow a single collision. If you were hurt in a hazmat truck accident near Houston, you need to act fast.

Why Houston Roads See So Much Hazmat Truck Traffic

Houston’s oil and gas industry is massive. The region is home to one of the largest refinery complexes in the world. The Port of Houston handles more foreign cargo than any other U.S. port. Oil companies, chemical plants, and refineries line the Ship Channel, the Energy Corridor, and areas around Pasadena and La Porte.

All of that activity relies on trucks. Tanker trucks haul crude from wellheads to refineries. Chemical trucks move products from plants to ports. Fuel tankers supply gas stations across the metro area. The result? Tens of thousands of hazmat shipments on Houston highways each year.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2023 trucks carried nearly 856 million tons of gasoline and more than 644 million tons of fuel oil on U.S. roads. Texas handles more of this volume than almost any other state.

The most dangerous routes for hazmat trucks in the Houston area include I-10 through the Energy Corridor. The Sam Houston Parkway near plant zones is also high risk. So is I-45 south toward Texas City, where chemical facilities cluster near the Gulf Coast.

The Rise in Hazmat Truck Accidents

The number of hazmat truck accidents is growing fast. Federal data shows that over the past decade, big rig accidents involving hazardous materials have jumped by 155%. That is more than double the number from ten years ago.

According to the FMCSA’s 2023 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics, there were over 3,240 hazmat cargo releases in large truck crashes in a single recent year. For every hazmat train accident in the U.S., there are 33 hazmat incidents involving big rigs.

Nearly four tanker truck rollovers happen every single day across the country. When a tanker full of crude oil rolls over on I-10 near Houston, the damage extends far beyond the crash scene.

Spilled hazmat can poison soil and water. Fires can shut down highways for hours. Nearby residents may need to leave their homes. And the victims — people who were simply driving to work — can suffer burns, toxic exposure, and life-threatening injuries.

What Hazardous Materials Travel Houston Highways?

Not all hazmat trucks carry the same risk. The type of material affects how deadly a crash can be and what rules the driver must follow.

Common hazardous materials on Houston roads include:

Crude oil and petroleum products. These are the most common. Crude oil is highly flammable. Refined products like gasoline can ignite instantly in a crash.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG trucks operate under strict pressure and temperature controls. A rupture can cause a massive explosion.

Industrial chemicals. The Ship Channel area and Pasadena are home to plants that make fertilizers, plastics, and other products. These materials move by truck between facilities. Many are toxic, corrosive, or reactive.

Chlorine, ammonia, and other gases. These require placard warnings and strict FMCSA rules. Exposure can cause severe lung damage, chemical burns, and death.

Every hazmat truck must display placards that identify what it carries. These placards warn first responders — and other drivers — of the danger inside.

The Injuries Hazmat Truck Accidents Cause

A standard truck accident is already one of the most serious crashes on the road. Add a hazardous cargo and the injuries reach a whole new level.

Burn injuries are common in hazmat crashes. When a tanker catches fire, anyone nearby can suffer burns that require skin grafts, long hospital stays, and years of recovery.

Toxic exposure happens when chemicals are inhaled or touch the skin. Chlorine and ammonia gas can destroy lung tissue in minutes. Chemical spills can cause eye damage, organ damage, and nerve harm that lasts a lifetime.

Explosion injuries can include brain trauma, hearing loss, and severe blast wounds. Victims who are not near the truck can still be seriously hurt if a pressurized tanker ruptures.

Many victims do not know the full extent of their injuries right away. Toxic exposure symptoms can take hours or days to appear. Seek medical attention right away after any crash with a hazmat truck.

Who Is Liable in a Hazmat Truck Accident?

Multiple parties can be held responsible after a hazmat truck crash. This is one area where truck cases are very different from regular car accidents. See our full guide: What Makes Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents.

The truck driver may have broken FMCSA hazmat rules. These rules cover vehicle inspections, cargo loading, route limits, and driver training.

The trucking company is responsible for hiring qualified drivers and keeping their trucks in safe working order. If a tanker was loaded wrong or the driver was not trained for hazmat, the company is liable.

The cargo shipper can be liable if they gave wrong hazmat information, failed to classify the material correctly, or did not ensure it was loaded safely.

The truck manufacturer may be responsible if a defect — like a brake failure or a faulty pressure valve — caused the crash or the spill.

Our attorneys know how to pursue all liable parties. We investigate every angle of your case.

Our Commercial Case Medical Management Team

Hazmat truck accidents often result in injuries that need specialized care. That is why the Law Office of Domingo Garcia has a dedicated Commercial Case Medical Management Team.

Our registered nurses coordinate your care from day one. They schedule appointments with the right specialists for burns, toxic exposure, and other serious injuries. They arrange transport and track your recovery every step of the way.

While our medical team manages your healthcare, our attorneys are building your case. We secure police reports, FMCSA inspection records, and hazmat transport manifests. We download event data from black boxes before that evidence is gone.

This two-track approach means you get the care you need while we build the strongest case for your recovery.

What to Do After a Hazmat Truck Accident in Houston

If you are in a crash with a hazmat truck, your safety comes first. Get away from the vehicle. A truck carrying flammable or toxic materials can ignite, explode, or leak fumes without warning.

Call 911 right away. Hazmat incidents need special emergency response. First responders need to know what material is involved.

Do not return to the scene to get your belongings. Chemical exposure is a real danger even if you cannot see or smell anything.

Seek medical care if needed. Toxic exposure symptoms often show up hours later. Get checked out by a medical professional if you experience any pain or symptoms. Call our office if you need help finding a medical provider to treat you after an accident. If you were seriously injured, seek medical help immediately.

Document the scene from a safe distance. Photograph the placards on the truck. Note the license plate and company name if visible.

Contact an attorney before talking to any insurance company. Trucking companies send response teams to accident scenes within minutes. You need someone on your side just as fast.

Protecting Your Rights After a Hazmat Accident

Hazmat truck accident cases are among the most complex in Texas. Evidence is time-sensitive. The liable parties are many. And the injuries can be severe.

The Law Office of Domingo Garcia has over 35 years of experience fighting for truck accident victims in Houston and Harris County. We know the oil and gas industry, the Port of Houston, and the risks that come with hazmat transport on our highways.

You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs of your case.

Don’t wait. Call the Law Office of Domingo Garcia today at (713) 349-1500 for a free consultation.

For more on truck accident risks in Houston, see our article on The Most Dangerous Roads in Houston.