Hazmat Trucks & Hazardous Material Spills During a Truck Accident

If you have ever noticed a truck marked with a diamond-shaped placard with a number or warning, then you have seen a hazmat truck. These vehicles may be carrying anything from gasoline or chemicals to radioactive materials. Most hazmat truck drivers are trained and careful, but accidents involving these trucks can be very dangerous – not just for the people involved in the crash but for the entire nearby community.

It is important to understand the dangers of hazmat spills and how the law deals with them.

What is a hazmat truck?

A hazmat truck (short for “hazardous materials” truck) is a commercial vehicle that can carry things like:

• Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, etc.)
• Toxic chemicals (pesticides or herbicides)
• Explosives
• Radioactive materials
• Corrosive substances (i.e., acids)
• Compressed gasses (i.e., propane)

In the case of a hazmat truck accident, these substances can leak or ignite. The results can include potentially life-threatening situations for others on the road and others nearby.

Why are hazmat truck accidents so dangerous?

The risks of these crashes, which include explosions, fires, toxic fumes, and water contamination, are extremely serious. For instance, here are some of the possible scenarios:

• A truck carrying gasoline is involved in an accident, causing it to overturn and spark a massive fire
• A truck transporting chemical waste leaks, causing its contents to contaminate a nearby stream and local groundwater
• A truck transporting radioactive materials crashes, exposing those nearby to radiation
• A truck carrying ammonia or chlorine crashes, releasing fumes that cause severe respiratory problems, chemical burns, and, in cases of prolonged exposure, death

These accidents can quickly escalate into large-scale health and environmental disasters. The response might require evacuations, hazmat cleanup teams, and environmental studies. Sometimes, the damage is irreversible.

Long-term environmental damage

Spilled chemicals and other hazardous materials may make their way into drinking water, rivers, and farms. This type of contamination can affect a community for years – sometimes even decades – with costly and time-consuming cleanup efforts.

Fires and explosions

Sometimes, hazmat trucks transport materials that are highly flammable. Gasoline, propane, or other explosive materials may ignite with even the smallest spark. A crash can quickly lead to a catastrophic fire or even explosion that causes widespread destruction and injuries.

Who is liable in a Nashville hazmat truck accident?

In the case of hazmat truck accidents, multiple parties might be involved. From the truck driver and trucking company to the company that manufactured or shipped the hazardous materials, attorneys will need to investigate the facts to find out who to include in the claim. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we help those injured in truck accidents identify the liable parties and pursue compensation.

Liable parties may include:

• The trucking company could be held liable if they failed to properly maintain the truck or to ensure the driver had the appropriate training to handle hazardous materials.
• If the hazardous materials were improperly packaged or labeled, the shipping company might be held accountable.
• In cases where the hazardous material or its container was defective, like if a faulty chemical container leaked, the manufacturer could be held liable for the truck accident.

Our Nashville truck accident attorneys thoroughly investigate evidence like truck logs, shipping documents, and maintenance records to identify possible causes for the incident and related injuries.

Compensation for a Nashville hazmat truck accident

If you or a loved one were injured in a hazmat truck accident, you are likely eligible to pursue compensation for a wide range of damages, including any:

• Medical expenses for injuries caused by the accident itself or from exposure to hazardous materials.
• Lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working. You may also be eligible for lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working in the same position.
• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional trauma caused by the accident.
• Property damage, if the hazmat spill damages your vehicle, home, or property.
• Environmental damage may occur in cases where hazardous material spills affect the local environment.

Calculating the full extent of damages in these cases can be complicated. Beyond your immediate medical expenses, long-term health problems caused by exposure to toxic materials may not become apparent until years later. Environmental damage can also take time to assess, and cleanup efforts can stretch on for months or even years. Our Nashville personal injury attorneys identify the short and long-term effects of the hazmat truck accident on your life.

If you are injured in a hazmat truck accident

If you or a loved one is injured in an accident involving a hazmat truck, ensure you take the following steps:

• Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you do not feel injured, it is important to remember that some hazardous materials can cause delayed symptoms. Get yourself checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible to address these dangers.
• Evacuate the area if necessary. If you are exposed to fumes or chemicals, leave the area immediately and follow any evacuation orders from emergency personnel.
• Contact an experienced Nashville truck accident attorney. Hazmat truck accidents are far more complicated than traditional truck accidents. Get an attorney on your side who understands these types of cases. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we have decades of experience helping people just like you.
• Document everything. Keep detailed records of your injuries, medical treatment, and all expenses related to the accident. If it is safe to do so, take pictures and/or video of the accident scene.
• Follow safety instructions. If authorities are concerned about contamination from a hazmat spill, follow their guidelines for staying safe, like avoiding certain areas or following specific safety measures for water or air quality.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a hazmat truck accident, you need a knowledgeable attorney who can work with you to pursue the compensation. To contact the experienced Nashville truck accident attorneys today at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm for a free consultation, fill out our contact form. We have offices in Nashville, East Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro.