Accidents Involving Tractor Trailers Transporting Hazardous Materials

By Author: Stephen Garcia
Total Articles: 159
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An accident involving a commercial truck is frightening enough, but one carrying hazardous materials makes the situation even graver. A fully loaded tractor-trailer weighs 80,000 pounds, and those traveling over weight limits are in excess of this. The sheer size of these vehicles means that accidents frequently involve extreme damage to property and grievous physical injury. The danger is compounded when the truck is carrying cargo that falls within the definition of hazardous materials.

Trucks carrying explosives, chemicals, biohazards, radioactive materials, and other dangerous substances are not just found on interstate highways. They travel through large metropolitan areas on congested highways as well as on the main routes through small towns. This increases the potential for accidents and dangers to other drivers and nearby residents. Some cities have bans that prohibit trucks carrying hazardous materials from passing though densely populated areas, but not all cities do, and, unfortunately, not all truckers follow the rules.

California has regulations in place concerning the transport of hazardous materials ...
... in the state. It serves as the entry point to the United States for many trucks carrying dangerous materials. Regulations protecting citizens include requiring a California hazardous materials transportation license in addition to any hazardous materials endorsements required by the trucker's home state or country. Carrying specific materials such as explosives, radioactive materials, and inhalation hazards requires a map be located within the truck of all intended routes and safe stopping places for the journey.

Not only are passenger vehicles and their occupants at risk when a truck carrying hazardous materials is involved in an accident, entire communities can be. Poisonous gasses such as chlorine pose a potential problem that can extend for miles, putting everyone located there in danger. Toxic gasses can cause severe acute reactions including burns, lung damage, and even death. Carcinogenic materials may cause immediate acute reactions and later more severe problems including, but not exclusive to the development of cancers. Other hazards that can effect more than those in the accident include corrosive materials, biohazards, and radioactive materials. Spills may contaminate local waterways endangering the drinking water of nearby inhabitants. Anyone suspecting they have been exposed to dangerous materials should seek the assistance of a California truck accident attorney.

The federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act requires all vehicles transporting hazardous materials have not only a vehicle placard warning of the materials, but that packaging carry specific identifying markings also. This assures that each container of a spilled load can be identified quickly by HazMat crews. Truck placards identify cargo by category. Explosives, compressed gasses, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers, poisons, radioactive materials, corrosive liquids, and others are each labeled with easy-to-identify placards. Additionally, a United Nations four-digit number must be displayed to identify the cargo in more detail. First responders including fire and police use this number to quickly determine the contents of the truck and plan action to protect and treat people and property.

The trucking industry plays a vital role in the economy of the United States and is governed by laws aimed at protecting the public sharing the roads with them. Consulting a trucking accident attorney is important after any accident involving a commercial truck. Laws are even more complex when hazardous materials are involved, and a big rig accident lawyer is essential to determining the nature and scope of the damage, negligence, and stake of the parties involved.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or died in an accident involving Big Rigs, or any large vehicle, we know your life has been radically altered. You need a truck accident lawyer with a proven track record in the courtroom to make the large insurance companies of the trucks and their drivers. Don't take a chance with an unproven truck accident attorney, contact the nationally recognized attorneys at the Garcia Law Firm. http://www.garciatruckaccidentlawyer.com