hazardous cargo truck accidents in MinnesotaAccidents involving large commercial trucks can be disastrous, causing major property damage, severe injuries, and/or death. Among the very worst semi-truck accidents are those involving a truck or tanker carrying hazardous materials (hazmat), i.e. a hazardous cargo truck accident. 

For these reasons, hazmat trucking companies and their drivers are required to carry liability insurance with higher amounts of coverage than other trucking companies have. If you’ve been injured due to negligence in a hazardous cargo truck accident, Minnesota law allows you to file a claim for your damages. That's where our free doctor and auto accident lawyer refferal service comes into play.

Types of Hazardous Materials

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) has divided hazardous cargo into several categories:

  • Radioactive material
  • Corrosive material
  • Poisonous solids, liquids, or vapors
  • Flammable/combustible liquids, solids, or vapors
  • Gases
  • Explosives
  • Oxidizers/organic peroxide
  • Miscellaneous hazardous materials

A trucking company that transports these materials must have a federal safety hazardous materials permit. Each truck must be categorized and marked. Despite strict regulation of hazmat carriers by the FMSCA, four percent of hazmat trucks failed inspections and were removed from the road in 2015.

Injuries That Can Result From a Hazardous Cargo Truck Accident in Minnesota

In addition to the impact caused by the sheer size, weight, and speed of any tractor-trailer, a collision with a hazmat truck can result in:

  • Fires that cause serious burn injuries
  • Chemical burns
  • Poisoning
  • Explosions causing burns, hearing loss, and/or amputation of limbs
  • Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
  • Environmental damage leading to long-term health problems

Who Is Responsible?

If you have been injured in a hazardous materials crash, the cause might have been negligence on the part of one or more defendants:

  • The driver
  • The shipping company
  • The truck owner 
  • The manufacturer of the tanker trailer
  • Hazmat loading personnel

Your first step after a hazmat accident should be to seek medical attention and document your injuries. Your second step should be to consult an attorney who can identify the proper defendants and file your claim(s) properly.

Have You Been Injured in a Hazmat Accident in the Twin Cities?

Our free referral service will find you the best local doctor to treat your specific injuries, as well as an experienced local truck accident lawyer to evaluate your claim and fight to get you fair compensation while you’re recovering. Contact us online or call 763-251-PAIN for a free consultation. Just one call puts you two steps closer to justice!

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