Eighteen wheeler carrying something fumable?

Question

If you were involved in a car accident with an eighteen wheeler that was carrying gas or oil, something fumable, would you blow up?
I ask this because we were hit by an eighteen wheeler while driving a civic and now I have this insane fear of big trucks!

As a response to one of the answers below...there is no way that I am about to go out of my way to avoid the trucks...especially not when it causes me to triple or quadruple the length of the trip...I have a two year old and a husband that had two cervical spine surgeries as a result of that car accident...you've got to be out of your mind if you think I am going to ADD ANY amount of time to the trip...
Also, I wasn't asking you to send me a psychological evaluation...or interpret my dreams...I simply wanted to know if the trucks carrying flammable materials was going to explode if it ever hit me! Thanks but no thanks!

In fact "sensible_man" hit it right on the head for me! I am only in danger if the truck is damaged! While that is indeed scary, because MOST of these trucks seem to need maintenance, I am glad to know that there are "sensible" people out there! Thanks sensible_man!

Answer 1

It is possible but most flammable carriers are double walled to prevent this. It would depend on if the container was damaged.

Answer 2

I haul flammable fluids in tankers. Unless the container is damaged and the flammables escaped the tank would there be any danger. However your assertion that tankers carrying flammables seem to all be in need of maintenance is absurd and shows a complete reliance on the evening news to justify your fears. Tankers that haul gasoline, diesel, or anything else considered flammable/combustible are some of the safest on the highway. These rigs are constantly inspected by both the trucking companies and the various police departments all over the country. In addition drivers that haul these commodities are considered to also be among the best and safest truck drivers out there. Think about this for a moment...how often do you see a news report about a gasoline tanker in an accident? To be sure if a fire happens the result can indeed be catastrophic but because they rarely ever happen your fear of tankers carrying hazardous materials is unfounded. You just were the victim of a rare occurrence.

Answer 3

This is in refreance to what A IM said. Not true, tractor trailers can also take the country roads, as long as they are not marked by a sign saying so.
I am a Truck Driver. How ever most will stay on the highway, untill they need to exit for their final desnitation.
But as far as the fire issue the other answer hit it correctly, unless the trailer is damaged and leaks your chance of fire is slim, how ever your car could get in a fire in an accident with a normal car, pickup if the situation were to be just right.
people in 4 wheelers forget that a tractor trailer can not stop as fast as a car, and they cut the tractor trailer off. Give room when you see a trucker, with out him/her, you have nothing at the stores to buy.

Answer 4

18 wheelers are inspected all the time. Just last week my boyfriend who drives OTR was inspected 5 times. 5 times in 7 days! And he drives a 2003 Peterbilt that is in wonderful shape! Imagine what happens when the trucks really look bad. I have been in the truck with him when it happens, and goodness! Those people go over those trucks with a fine tooth comb! I would bet that most cars wouldn't pass the inspection. They can and will ground those trucks for the slightest little thing. So don't worry about the maintanance on the trucks. They are probably safer than 95% of passenger cars and trucks on the road.

As for the fear of the trucks themselves, a healthy dose of fear/common sense is good. If you are panicking when you see them, I would just remember that those trucks are looking for other cars more than the cars are looking for them. 18 wheelers are hard to stop and the drivers know that.

Answer 5

You were in an accident with an 18 wheeler and you survived. A miracle.

The 18 wheeler was carrying flammable cargo and you survived. A miracle.

So is your situation that you believe in miracles as being luck, and you think the odds are that you are now out of luck?

Or is your situation that you believe in miracles as meaning you have a guardian angel that protects you, but now you no longer believe in the angel because you've been bad and are no longer worthy of protecion?

Or do you believe the miracles were due to competence by the driver and management of the 18 wheeler in a world without much competence, so your risk of surviving the next one is very low ... this accident was a message to you & you are having trouble deciphering the message. That is it telling you?

Let me tackle the last one .. 18 wheelers are not found on all streets with the same kind of density as cars ... we find them on long distance highways super-highways, in great abundance. We rarely see them on city street. So you see one ... get off the street, park, wait until it has gone by, then resume your journey. Need gas, go to a place that sells gas to cars, not to one that also fuels up 18 wheelers. You need to go a great distance ... don't use the super highways ... use back country roads ... it will take 3-4 times as long to reach your destination, but you won't see many 18 wheelers.

Answer 6

Thank you by the way for answering my question. I am a "reformed bad boy" thanks to the Marine Corps. Your answer was very helpful though, thanks. For your question, fumes is what makes it flamable, in order for you to ignite it, there must be a spark of some sort. I wouldn't say BLOW UP, In order for it to blow up, it has to be compressed in a container of some sort, ignited to catch the fumes, and then it expands in order to project outward. this is the meaning and function of something blowing up. I would say in conclusion that you can catch fire. None the less if you are not severly hurt you can walk away from it with minor injuries. Bad example of this look at the Miami Herald at an accident that happened I want to say a month ago. That is why I say depends on the extent of the accident

Answer 7

Flammable means its cargo can catch on fire. A combustible
cargo would be necessary in order to blow up (or explosive.)
You may be surprised to learn that its a milk truck that poses
the greater risk of injury to you (because of the way it made.)
I'm referring to tankers of course. Unless there is a
noticeable leak or odd smell in the air, your odds of surviving
the post accident are very high. Besides, you'd have to have
an insanely tough Civic to damage a truck enough to reach
its cargo. A nickel's worth of advice: Stay clear of a truck's
blind spot.

Answer 8

You might burn to a crisp