Accidents involving commercial trucks can have devastating consequences for the victims involved, and this can be especially true when the truck was carrying hazardous materials, or HAZMATs. Not only is there the potential for injury due to the initial collision, but also the risk of injury from any hazardous materials that may escape into the environment. Depending on the type of hazardous materials being transported, this risk may extend far beyond the immediate vicinity of the crash site and may harm individuals who may not even be aware that there had been a crash at all. If you have been injured as a result of a truck accident in which HAZMATs were involved, you may be entitled to significant compensation. To determine whether you have a claim, you should consult with one of the experienced Newnan truck accident attorneys at Shane Smith Law as soon as possible.
According to statistics released by the United States Department of Transportation, around 4% of fatal truck accidents that occur each year involve trucks transporting hazardous materials. Every day, there are in excess of 800,000 shipments of HAZMATs by truck, creating a significant potential for injury in the event of an accident. Some of the commonly transported hazardous materials include:
- Flammable liquids
- Explosive materials
- Poisonous or corrosive gases
- Dangerous waste materials
These types of materials have the potential to cause widespread injury to people at and around the site of the accident. Because the potential for injury is so high, there are myriad federal and state regulations that aim to minimize the risk of the transportation of hazardous materials. Unfortunately, these regulations are not always followed, sometimes resulting in catastrophic consequences. Any failure on the part of a HAZMAT carrier to abide by these regulations may entitle an individual injured in an accident to compensation. In addition, depending on the circumstances of your case, a HAZMAT carrier may be held strictly liable for any injuries they are responsible for, meaning that they will have to pay even in the absence of negligence.
Contact a Newnan trucking accident attorney for a free consultation
If you have been injured in a HAZMAT trucking accident either through the collision or by released materials, you should consult with a Newnan trucking accident attorney as soon as possible. Because these cases involved highly specialized issues and can touch on both state and federal law, it is important to hire an attorney who understands how these cases work. The Coweta County truck accident attorneys of Shane Smith Law are dedicated to representing Georgians injured in truck accidents. To schedule a free consultation, contact our office today at (980) 246-2656