OCTOBER 9, 2020
What hazards are associated with a hazmat accident?
In a hazmat accident, numerous parties may be liable, including the driver, the distributor shipping the goods, or the trucking company transporting them.
What hazards are associated with a hazmat accident? How do these impact the safety and health of individuals involved in accidents with vehicles transporting hazardous materials? Hazmat accidents can cause chemical burns, neurological damage, and other injuries. Whether it is diesel fuel and oil, or spilled cargo, hazardous materials can present both an immediate and a long-term threat to an individual's health.
Hazmat Accidents in 2019
There were 21,933 hazmat incidents in 2019. This was a significant increase over the 19,874 recorded in 2018, and the 17,494 recorded in 2017. Most of these occur on highways. In 2019, 19,838 occurred on highways, which was an increase over the 17,927 recorded in 2018, and the 15,746 recorded in 2017.
Hydrocarbons, Corrosives, and Other Hazardous Materials
Ingestion, inhalation, or aspiration of hydrocarbons such as propane gas, methane, butane, etc. can result in pulmonary toxicity. It can cause severe damage to the nervous system, as well as the gastrointestinal system.
Contact with corrosives such as cleaning agents, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, etc., can cause severe injury to the gastrointestinal tract, eyes, skin, and lungs. These substances can severely damage any muco-cutaneous surface, which can not only cause physical disfiguration, it can result in tissue necrosis and other potentially life threatening injuries.
Of course, these are far from the only types of hazardous materials rolling down the road. The US Department of Transportation identifies nine classes of hazardous materials. These include:
- Explosive Materials
- Gases
- Flammable Liquids
- Flammable Solids
- Oxidizing Substances/Organic Peroxides
- Toxic/Poisonous Substances
- Radioactive Materials
- Corrosives
- Miscellaneous Goods and Articles
Contact With Hazardous Materials
Contact with hazardous materials can cause severe injury or death. Hazmat accidents can lead to thermal harm, i.e. burns, radiological injury, asphyxiation, and more. Sometimes this is immediate, other times it may happen years after the accident. When individuals are involved in a hazmat accident, they can suffer nausea, skin rashes, and chemical burns. Over the long-term, exposure to hazardous materials can cause birth defects, cancers, lung diseases, and nervous system disorders. When contact with hazardous materials is suspected, individuals should undergo a thorough decontamination process. Fast action is crucial for minimizing injuries.
Contact With Hazardous Materials
Contact with hazardous materials can cause severe injury or death. Hazmat accidents can lead to thermal harm, i.e. burns, radiological injury, asphyxiation, and more. Sometimes this is immediate, other times it may happen years after the accident. When individuals are involved in a hazmat accident, they can suffer nausea, skin rashes, and chemical burns. Over the long-term, exposure to hazardous materials can cause birth defects, cancers, lung diseases, and nervous system disorders. When contact with hazardous materials is suspected, individuals should undergo a thorough decontamination process. Fast action is crucial for minimizing injuries.
Liability for a Hazmat Accident
Hazardous material incidents are some of the most serious types of motor vehicle accidents in the country. When they occur, there are numerous parties who may be liable. This includes the driver, the distributor shipping the goods, or the trucking company responsible for transporting and delivering the goods. In some cases, multiple parties may be liable, as it is quite common for hazmat accidents to involve a chain of events that contribute to causing the accident.
Our Wichita based personal injury lawyers are accident attorneys who have offices across Wichita and in Garden City. Our team will instantly go to work to prove accident injury victims are not at fault. You can use our contact page or get a free call at our Wichita offices at 316-684-4400 and our Garden City office at 620-843-2855.
We Are Hereto Help
Call for a free consultation 24/7