Hazardous material transport is a dangerous business, and non-truck drivers may get caught in it from time to time. A truck accident with a hazardous chemicals truck can be especially dangerous if there is a chemical spill. If you are in an accident with one of these trucks, then you may be able to collect compensation for any damages or health issues.
Hazmat truck accidents are often treated like other truck accidents, where you can seek compensation from the driver or the company they work for, depending on the situation. For this, you can discuss the case with a truck accident lawyer. The team at Kash Legal offers a free consultation to inform you of your options.
Damages and Personal Injury Compensation
Just like with regular trucks, you can sue for compensation for any damages or injuries. The process is relatively the same, except that your lawyer will likely push for more compensation based on the type of injuries that you have and any potential long-term effects because of chemical exposure.
In a truck accident, there are several types of damages that you can file for in a lawsuit. These include:
- Personal injury
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Each of these is assessed differently and brings in different amounts of compensation. What those amounts are largely depends on the circumstances of the accident.
Personal Injury
When you are injured in an accident, you can file a claim to help pay for medical expenses. For example, going to the emergency room or following up with your doctor are expenses that you can file for in the lawsuit. It is important to note that you must pay special attention to long-term health issues, such as physical therapy or illnesses due to chemical exposure from the hazmat spill. These costs are often left out of claims, and you run the risk of running out of money before you finish treatment.
Property Damage
In the case of an accident, any damaged property can be included. Cars are the first thing that people focus on. However, you can file a claim for any property that is damaged. That includes things like:
- Clothes
- Phones
- Laptops
- Briefcases
- Jewelry
Property damage claims can be an effective way of minimizing the damage from the accident. Being able to recover compensation makes recovering from the accident much easier. You don’t have to worry as much about the costs of your recovery and can just focus on getting better.
Lost Wages
If the truck accident stops you from going to work for a while, then you can file for the wages that you lost. This is more common than you might think since injuries in truck accidents tend to be more serious than other accidents.
Alternatively, many people find themselves without a vehicle after an accident. Because of this, it is very difficult for them to get to work. The result is usually that they miss work, which impacts their ability to pay their bills.
Pain and Suffering
Unlike the other damages that you can file, this one is not based on substantive damages. Instead, it is based on the mental and psychological impact that the accident hasn’t had on your life.
After serious truck accidents, some people struggle with the mental impact of surviving that accident. This can make it difficult to manage their lives, including making it difficult to work or get in a car. If this is the case, you can file for pain and suffering for additional conversation to help you with ways of overcoming these problems.
Seek Help From a Qualified Hazardous Chemical Truck Accident Lawyer
Recovering from a hazardous chemical truck accident is not impossible, but it may require some additional help for you to get your life back on track. Fortunately, you may be able to seek compensation from the truck driver or the company that that driver works for by filing a lawsuit.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident with a hazardous chemical truck, see the assistance of a qualified hazardous chemical truck accident lawyer. The team at Kash Legal has extensive experience working with clients like you who need help after their accidents. Contact our team by calling us at (888) 527-4128 or filling out our contact form to arrange a free consultation so that we can give you specific information about your case.
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