What to Do After a Truck Accident Causes Hazardous Materials to Spill
Tanker trucks transport many different types of shipments in the United States. They carry diesel, food grade bulk, gasoline, specialty chemicals, and more every single day. As the transportation of goods only continues to increase, there have also been more tanker trucks on the roads. When these vehicles are involved in a crash, these hazardous materials can spill out onto the roads, causing smoke inhalation injuries, serious burns, and even wrongful death.
It is not always easy to determine what to do when hazardous materials are spilled on the roadways. Below are the steps that will keep you safe while also protecting your rights.
Evacuate the Area, if Possible
If possible, you should try to avoid the hazardous material as much as possible. HAZMAT protection is often carried by commercial truck drivers, and they should have a commercial driver’s license with a hazardous materials endorsement. If the trucker has HAZMAT protective gear in their truck, you should use them to keep yourself safe and to ensure you are not exposed.
Contact Emergency Services
Any time there is hazardous material on the road, it is critical that you contact the appropriate authorities. Call 911 right away and explain what happened so they send police, fire, and paramedics to the scene. Inform them of any helpful details, such as if victims need medical attention, and the type of hazardous waste that you and others may have been exposed to. After authorities arrive on the scene, obtain the badge number and name of any officers on the scene so you can follow up with them and later obtain a copy of the police report.
Seek Medical Attention
It is critical that you seek medical attention after any truck accident, but this is particularly true when you have been exposed to hazardous materials. Injuries caused by chemical spills are not always immediately apparent right away. Even if you receive immediate medical attention at the scene, it is still important to visit an emergency room or your family doctor after this type of crash. A doctor can conduct a full examination and identify any injuries you may have suffered.
Follow Through with Medical Treatment
Exposure to hazardous materials sometimes requires medical treatment such as quarantine to limit exposure to others. While this can certainly be inconvenient, it is of the utmost importance that you follow through with all medical treatment. Otherwise, the insurance company may argue that you did not try to mitigate your injuries, which could impact the compensation you ultimately receive.
Document Evidence
Again, taking photos and video footage of any crash scene is important so you can prove your case in the future. When hazardous materials have spilled onto the road, you should also take photos of the spill. If you have visible injuries, you should also take photographs of them.
Our 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Can Advise On the Next Steps
At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio 18-wheeler accident lawyer can advise on the appropriate steps to take after any crash, including those involving hazardous materials. Call us today at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to request a consultation and to get the legal help you need.
Source:
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials
