Truck Wrecks Sometimes Cause Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Incidents
By Rick Shapiro, Truck Accident Lawyer in Virginia
A truck crash can cause headaches, figuratively and literally, especially when hazardous materials, such as diesel fuel, are involved. Take, for example, the tractor trailer accident in Suffolk, Virginia (VA) where diesel fuel leaked out and shut down County Street at Madison Avenue, according to the Virginian-Pilot.
When hazardous materials are involved in a truck accident, the situation is usually termed a “HAZMAT incident” by law enforcement and other personnel who are the first responders. A HAZMAT incident can often result in road closures and evacuations, as well as the potential for serious personal injury, even to those who were not directly involved in a crash or property damage in surrounding areas.
When a HAZMAT incident occurs, it is imperative that you take steps to protect yourself and loved ones. The following guidelines will help you know what to do if you find yourself in such a situation:
- Do EVERYTHING law enforcement and HAZMAT personnel tell you to do. This may include “sheltering in place,” which can involve closing doors and windows and turning off air conditioning units for a short amount of time.
- If you see or learn of a HAZMAT incident in your area and feel you are in danger, you do not have to wait for official evacuation orders. Leave your home immediately. Take important papers such as driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and Social Security cards for each member of the family, as well as any medications you or a loved one must have (insulin, blood pressure medication, etc.) but leave everything else.
- If official evacuation orders are given, immediately gather the information listed above (it is a good idea to go ahead and make copies of all these documents BEFORE a HAZMAT or other situation happens, and keep them in a safe, but quickly accessible place), and any medications, then leave as quickly as possible. You will be directed to a temporary shelter, or, if it is in a safe location, may be able to choose to go to a relative or friend’s home.
- If you or a loved one suffers any ill effects from the HAZMAT incident, notify emergency personnel at once. The quicker medical and decontamination treatment can be started, the better the chances there will be no long-term effects.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and our attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) although our lawyers hold licenses in NC, SC, WV, KY, FL and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube . Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.
JM
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June 28, 2010
Tags: attorney, crash, HAZMAT, personal injury, property damage, tractor trailer truck Posted in: Virginia (VA) Trucking Injury/Accidents Topics
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