According to an analysis brief released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, every day there are more than 800,000 truck shipments of hazardous materials in the United States. These shipments usually involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline or flammable gas. These trucks, known as hazmat trucks, are sometimes involved in crashes that may result in serious injury or even death. According to the report, about 200 hazmat trucks are involved in fatal crashes each year, and about 5000 are involved in nonfatal crashes. While these crashes are statistically relatively rare, due to the size of these trucks and the hazardous materials they are carrying the potential for injury and property damage is large.
The companies and drivers that transport these materials are required to comply with strict federal and local regulations in order to ensure that their trucking operations are as safe as possible. Unfortunately, accidents are bound to happen, and when a hazmat truck is involved in an accident, the consequences can often be catastrophic. These types of accidents can cause permanent disability, brain injury, loss of limbs, burns, or even death. People affected by hazmat trucking accidents can be entitled to significant monetary compensation, and it is important to determine who is at fault for the accident.
Trucking accidents are often much more complicated than a “run-of-the-mill” car accident, due to the complex web of state and federal laws and regulations involved. In order for a lawyer to effectively be able to evaluate and pursue a claim arising from a trucking accident, the attorney must have knowledge regarding trucking industry standards, state and federal law, insurance litigation issues, a technology commonly used in the trucking industry, as well as other issues that are specific to litigation involving trucking and truck drivers. Common causes of trucking accidents can include:
- Driver fatigue
- Noncompliance with federal regulations
- Drugs or alcohol
- Driver error
- Distracted driving
Any of the above factors or a myriad of others could establish liability for the commercial carrier or truck driver that caused the accident. In order to determine whether you have a claim you should have your case reviewed by an experienced Atlanta trucking accident attorney.
Contact a Fayette County trucking accident attorney for a consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Truck drivers and commercial carriers are heavily regulated by state and federal law, and non-compliance with those rules could be enough to establish liability for any injuries you or your loved ones have suffered. To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Fayette County trucking lawyer, call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656