All truck accidents have the potential to be deadly. Some of the most dangerous crashes are those involving HAZMAT trucks. If you have suffered injuries in one of these accidents, our Colorado HAZMAT truck accident lawyers can fight for your rights. With Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers by your side, you have a chance to hold all liable parties responsible for your losses. We have years of experience helping people who have sustained physical and emotional injuries because of collisions of all types. Learn more about how these accidents occur and how our truck accident lawyers can help.
What Does HAZMAT Mean?
Hazardous materials are labeled as HAZMAT. These are chemicals or items that pose health hazards or physical risks. They include toxic agents, carcinogens, irritants, and hepatotoxins. Hazardous materials are also those that are combustible or flammable, along with unstable or water-reactive chemicals.
What Materials Would Require a HAZMAT Endorsement?
Materials that would require a HAZMAT endorsement include:
- Aerosol spray receptacles
- Bleaches
- Car batteries
- Carbon dioxide canisters
- Essential oils
- Fire extinguishers
- Fragrances
- Fuels
- Insecticides
- Lithium batteries
- Nail polish and nail polish remover
- Oxygen tanks
- Paints
- Smoke detectors
- Swimming pool chemicals
These are only a few of the types of materials that could be on the road at any moment.
What Are the Risks of a HAZMAT Truck Accident?
A HAZMAT truck accident in Colorado can occur for numerous reasons, just like car accidents, though driver errors are common. Distracted and intoxicated driving are serious problems. Since these trucks are so heavy, drivers who don’t spot dangers right away likely can’t stop in time to avoid collisions.
Some operational policies might inadvertently contribute to an increased risk of accidents. For example, drivers might extend their work hours beyond federal regulations, leading to accidents due to fatigue. Road and weather conditions, and lack of regular maintenance, play a role as well.
If any of these situations occur, the consequences can be disastrous. Many hazardous materials are flammable, leading to fires and explosions that could harm a significant number of people. If explosions occur near mountainsides, they could result in rock slides, as well.
Chemicals can release clouds that put people and wildlife at risk for miles. If corrosive substances release fumes, they can lead to lung damage, eye damage, and many other health problems.
What Types of Accidents Are Likely for HAZMAT Trucks in Colorado?
A large number of hazardous materials are transported across the country via tanker trucks. Their shape and size make them more prone to tipping, especially if they’re carrying liquids.
Huge amounts of liquids sloshing in these tankers can affect their center of gravity, making them unstable. The driver can lose control of the vehicle, which can make rollover accidents likely to occur.
Jackknifing is another concern with HAZMAT trucks. If a driver hits the brakes abruptly to avoid a crash, the cabin will stop, but the trailer’s momentum will push it forward, folding the truck into a “V.” These accidents are often catastrophic because they can involve many vehicles and could cause explosions.
How HAZMAT Truck Accidents Hurt Colorado Residents
HAZMAT truck accidents have potential short- and long-term consequences. For one thing, you can suffer catastrophic, immediate injuries in the collision. Beyond that, however, there are other risks.
Being exposed to corrosive, toxic, and even deadly substances could mean facing health issues that may not be apparent immediately after the collision. You could suffer lung issues from breathing fumes or might even develop vision problems.
Some substances are carcinogens, increasing your chances of developing tumors, while others could result in birth defects. Substances that are acutely toxic can lead to all of this damage after a single exposure.
HAZMAT truck accidents affect the entire ecosystem in the location where the collision took place. If chemicals or other substances get into the groundwater, they can impact wildlife, farmland, and people living miles away. A single accident could result in countless injuries.
A recent example of one of these crashes occurred in November of 2024 when a propane truck rolled over near Marble, CO. Because the truck began to leak, residents of Evergreen Lane had to evacuate for fear of explosions and health hazards.
Who Is Liable for a HAZMAT Truck Crash in Colorado?
To determine liability, our Colorado truck accident lawyers always first seek to understand why the crash occurred. Most of the time, if the truck driver is at fault, the trucking company they work for can be held vicariously liable. Since victims can sue multiple parties, the driver could also be held personally liable for the collision. However, it could be difficult to obtain compensation without strong legal arguments.
Pursuing compensation solely from the trucking company that employs the driver may be a better option in many cases. If, however, the driver is an independent contractor rather than an employee, it may be more difficult to prove that the trucking company was liable.
In instances when the road itself led to the accident, it may be possible to hold the government entities in charge of maintenance liable. It’s also an option to file a lawsuit against manufacturers of defective trucks if malfunctioning brakes or other components led to the collision.
Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has secured millions of dollars on behalf of injury clients because we know that in cases like these, there is often more than one negligent party, and more than one liable party. We want the maximum compensation for you, and we are willing to fight to get it.
How to Reduce Your Risk of an Accident With a HAZMAT Vehicle
It’s not always possible to prevent a crash, but our Colorado HAZMAT truck accident lawyers recommend taking a few precautions on the road. These include:
- Give the HAZMAT truck space, and make sure you are not in a blind spot.
- Be fully focused on the road at all times.
- Don’t attempt risky passing maneuvers, especially on the right.
If you see the truck weaving, it’s a good idea to put distance between it and your vehicle.
Do You Have a Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me?
Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers maintains multiple offices throughout Colorado. Contact us in Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Greeley, Grand Junction, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Pueblo, and Thornton to get started.
Fighting for Truck Accident Survivors Throughout Colorado
At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, we’ve been able to get the results our clients need when facing serious truck accidents. You don’t have to deal with the effects of a HAZMAT truck accident in Colorado alone. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer for truck accidents.
