Hazmat Crash Causes Delays While Crews Clean Up
Accidents involving hazardous materials are uncommon, but when they do happen, they bring a higher risk of injury, complicate the damage to property, and increase the effort necessary for a successful clean-up. Hazardous material spills, known as “hazmat”, don’t always involve exotic chemicals – they’re often just plain fuel. Houston emergency crews dealt with just that situation recently when a tractor-trailer’s diesel fuel spilled out onto the Fred Hartman Bridge after a crash with another vehicle. The crash shut down two center lanes and the right-most lane, backing up traffic for about 5 hours, including through morning rush hour. No injuries were reported although details about the accident are patchy. There are approximately 29 million shipments of hazardous materials in the US every year, and only slightly more than 5,000 accidents where hazardous materials are involved. Compared to the over 400,000 accidents annually involving big rigs, that’s a tiny number. But the risks to drivers, to property owners, and even to bystanders of hazmat accidents are significantly higher. In additional to all the ordinary problems that can arise from being in an accident, hazmat accidents require specialized cleanup to any vehicles exposed to the hazmat – especially if it involves more unusual or highly toxic substances. And health risks of exposure to hazardous materials may be difficult to identify and may take a long time to become visible. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident where hazardous materials were spilled, don’t rely on your insurance company to stand up for you. Quality legal representation can make the difference in maintaining your health and getting the assistance you need to ensure everything is put right after the accident. Our attorneys have years of experience and are available for free consultation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We won’t charge you a dime until we receive a settlement for you. Please contact us by phone or email today. Our lawyers can help.