Dangerous Propane Transportation

While a majority of propane is sent to distributionthat the vehicle has a flammable gas in its cargo.
centers and households through pipelines, a significantSome vehicles may have to be specially outfitted for
percentage of the gas is bottled in propane tanks thattransporting these cylinders so that they are at less
vary in size and are shipped throughout the country forrisk for exploding or, at the very least, catching fire in
individuals to purchase at retail centers. These tanks,the event of an accident.
often called cylinders, are used to power spaceUnfortunately, not all propane manufacturers and
heaters, grills, and other portable appliances that requiretransporters hold up their obligations to provide safe
natural gas as fuel. Before they get to the consumer,transportation of the gas. When this happens, the
though, these cylinders of flammable gas must bevehicle transporting the gas may explode, which may
transported, usually by freight trains and commercialpresent serious hazards to individuals within the blast
trucks.radius.
Before a truck or train departs, the company supplyingIn many cases, explosions resulting from poor
the propane tanks must test the tanks for safety. Thistransportation methods are the fault of either the
includes catching any leaks, safety valve malfunctions,propane manufacturer or the transportation company.
and other defects that may cause the tank to leakIn some cases, both may even be to blame.
gas or otherwise rupture.If you or someone you love suffered injuries in an
During the transportation process, the train engineer orexplosion resulting from the dangerous transportation
truck driver is charged with safely handling his or herof propane, discuss your legal rights and options with
cargo. Typically, the transportation company will havethe propane tank explosion attorneys of Habush
to label the vehicle with warnings to notify individualsHabush & Rottier, S.C.