North Carolina Trucks Containing Hazardous Materials

The business of transporting hazardous materials and goods by commercial vehicles is strictly regulated. Dangerous cargo poses a risk to the truck driver as well as people who are in the vicinity of the carrying vehicle. These claims can be far more complex, and the insurance coverage limits are typically much higher to allow sufficient funding for victims who suffer injury caused by HAZMAT drivers. If you were hurt in an accident involving a truck carrying hazardous materials, you likely will be entitled to generous compensation for your suffering and losses. At Nagle & Associates, Raleigh truck accident attorney Carl Nagle fights hard for victims of serious motor vehicle collisions, and he understands the devastating impact of a truck accident upon not only a victim but also their loved ones. We have seven offices throughout North Carolina, and our firm has extensive experience dealing with personal injury cases against truck drivers and trucking companies. We stand ready to protect and enforce your legal rights.

Before focusing his legal practice solely on victim advocacy, Mr. Nagle formerly worked in the insurance industry. As part of his professional experience as an insurance claims adjuster and an insurance company attorney, Mr. Nagle defended negligent truck drivers and truck companies. The insider knowledge gained by working in the insurance industry has helped him develop strategies to maximize compensation on behalf of North Carolina victims. We have recovered hundreds of millions for injured individuals throughout North Carolina, including in Asheville, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem.

Seeking Maximum Damages after a Hazardous Material Truck Accident

Due to the high level of danger involved when a collision occurs involving a truck carrying hazardous materials, the federal insurance coverage requirements mandate higher insurance policy limits for drivers who transport hazardous materials. For a typical truck carrying non-hazardous cargo, the coverage requirement per collision is $750,000.00. For trucks that carry hazardous materials, the coverage requirement increases to either $1 million per collision or $5 million per collision, depending on the amount and type of hazardous cargo being transported.

Truck drivers carrying hazardous materials must be properly trained and endorsed, and the truck must pass rigorous pre-trip safety inspections. Additionally, drivers transporting hazardous materials, such as explosives, radioactive substances, fuels and flammable liquids, or poisonous or infectious substances, are required to undergo a security threat assessment mandated by the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Transportation. Many federal safety regulations are imposed in order to protect people sharing the road with trucks carrying hazardous cargo.

Victims who are hurt in an accident involving a truck carrying hazardous materials may face dire medical complications, serious injuries, and even death. Even if there was no immediate traumatic injury in the crash, exposure to hazardous material often mandates immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, victims of truck crashes may endure years of pain and suffering. In any case involving lasting injury, you must come forward with expert medical opinions concerning future medical needs and suffering before you can collect money for future medical needs and for future pain and suffering.

Truck drivers transporting hazardous materials are under pressure to deliver their loads promptly. Despite an understanding of the dangers posed by their cargo, drivers may speed to get to their destination. If speeding or issues like driver fatigue cause an accident, the driver and the trucking company may be held legally responsible for the resulting injuries. Other accidents may be caused by a truck company’s failure to properly abide by standards for transporting materials. To save time or financial resources, trucking companies may ignore minor problems or choose not to conduct the necessary inspections. This makes a trucking company legally responsible for harm caused by their negligent conduct.

After establishing liability, a victim will need to demonstrate the full extent of their economic and noneconomic damages. If an accident has led to a tragic death, the family or representative of the deceased person may pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver and potentially the trucking company. A wrongful death claim is intended to put the relatives and legal beneficiaries of the deceased person in the position in which they would be had their loved one survived.

Contact a Raleigh Attorney to Pursue a Truck Accident Case

Attorney Carl Nagle has been representing North Carolina truck accident victims for over 20 years. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a crash, contact Nagle & Associates to begin the process of pursuing compensation for the costs of your medical care and lost income, as well as damages associated with your loss of quality of life and your pain and suffering. Raleigh truck accident lawyer Carl Nagle is committed to asserting the rights of victims, and his understanding of the insurance industry allows us to overcome insurance carrier efforts to minimize your claims. We have represented people in Raleigh, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Hickory, Greensboro, Charlotte, and other cities throughout Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth, Catawba, Durham, Cumberland, and New Hanover Counties. Please call us toll free at 800-411-1583 or use our online form to benefit from a free consultation with a NC truck accident lawyer.