Truck Accidents & Hazardous Materials

Washington, D.C., Maryland, & Virginia

Any trucking accident is likely to have catastrophic consequences, and those involving trucks carrying hazardous materials often result in the most catastrophic injuries and horrible deaths. Hazardous materials accidents can lead to fires, explosions, and spills that cause massive evacuations, road damage, and property damage. Because of their extremely dangerous nature, the transportation of hazardous materials is very strictly regulated.

Beyond the common injuries and deaths often caused by truck and auto accidents, hazardous materials accidents can result in:

• Explosions
• Fires
• Bridge and overpass collapse
• Toxic gas release
• Evacuations
• Water contamination
• Soil contamination

Far Reaching Consequences

There may be many victims, including:

• People in vehicles nearby, such as those on and beneath affected bridges and overpasses
• Pedestrians
• Anyone in the surrounding area who may inhale toxic gases
• People in nearby buildings affected by explosions and fires
• Property owners

Training and Licensing

All truck drivers are required to carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Drivers who haul hazardous materials must have extensive training, far beyond the training required for most commercial drivers, and carry special licensing.

Regulations

Federal and state trucking regulations tightly control how hazardous materials are transported. This includes laws governing:

• Which roads and routes may be used when transporting hazardous materials
• Where hazardous materials trucks may park
• How hazardous materials trucks must be secured
• How often the trucks and their tires must be inspected

Trucks carrying hazardous materials are not allowed to drive near open fires or park within 300 feet of a fire. They cannot carry flares. Drivers must be given documentation of what they are carrying and what to do in case of an emergency, such as a fire or a spill.

Parking and Security

Trucks carrying hazardous materials must never be left unattended by the driver. An unattended truck can easily be tampered with causing an explosion or spill, or dangerous materials may be stolen.

A parked truck, loaded with hazardous materials, presents many of the same dangerous as one which is traveling. Trucks parked too close to traffic may be struck by another vehicle, and other events may cause an explosion or spill. Trucks carrying explosives may not park within 300 feet of:

• Bridges
• Tunnels
• Houses
• Any place where people congregate

Hazardous materials accidents can affect you, even if you were not on the road. If you have been injured or suffered property damage, due to a hazardous materials trucking accident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., please contact our personal injury law firm to speak with one of our skilled trucking accident attorneys today. You need an experienced hazardous materials accident attorney on your side like the ones at Chaikin Sherman Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.

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