Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier this week in Maryland Heights, a tank truck flipped over on the highway, spilling thousands of gallons of fuel onto the road. According to a report by one local news source, the accident occurred around 9:30 in the morning on Maryland Heights Expressway north of Creve Coeur Mill Road.
Evidently, another tank truck overturned at around the same time on Highway 270, requiring emergency responders to triage the two accidents. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in either of the two potentially catastrophic accidents. Police are still conducting an investigation into how the accidents may have occurred.
Trucks with Dangerous Loads
Trucks carry almost anything one can imagine across the country. On occasion, a trucking company will have the need to transport hazardous, flammable, or otherwise dangerous materials on the nation’s highways.
When a truck driver must haul a hazardous load, there are additional restrictions that the truck driver and trucking company must abide by. For example, the following are a few considerations that must be addressed when transporting hazardous materials:
- The truck driver may not allow the truck out of sight for more than a few moments;
- The cargo must be registered with the appropriate state and federal authorities prior to transport; and
- The truck and its cargo must be kept away from open flames (including cigarettes).
In addition to the above restrictions, all truck drivers transporting hazardous materials must refrain from using drugs or any alcohol during the transport of the hazardous materials.
Truck drivers also must stop in periodically at weigh stations and inspection stations to ensure that their loads are the appropriate size, properly registered, and safely secured.
Liability in Trucking Accidents
Despite a thorough set of rules covering the transport of hazardous material, each year we see several accidents caused by hazardous-material trucking accidents. Sometimes, these accidents involve the spill of a toxic substance after the truck is involved in an accident. Other times, it is the leak of a flammable substance that catches fire.
In either case, an accident caused by the trucking company’s or the truck driver’s negligence may result in the accident victim recovering for any injuries caused by the accident. To learn more, contact a dedicated Maryland truck accident attorney to discuss your case.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a serious or fatal Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries or losses. The skilled attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen have years of experience representing Maryland accident victims in a wide variety of personal injury cases, including truck accidents. To learn more about how you may be able to recover for an accident that you were in, and to speak to a dedicated personal injury attorney today, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free initial consultation with an attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Truck Driver’s Negligent Driving Causes Serious Accident in Hagerstown, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published September 2, 2014.
Williamsport Bicyclist Injured When Hit By Dump Truck, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published October 10, 2014.