Each year, more than three billion tons of hazardous materials are transported across the U.S., nearly 60% of which travel by truck. When one of those shipments is involved in a crash, the damage can include chemical exposure, contaminated surroundings, and serious health risks for anyone nearby.

Toxic substances like industrial chemicals or fuel vapors can cause long-term medical problems that don’t always appear right away. Victims are often left with lingering symptoms and uncertainty about how to get help or prove what caused them.

You may be entitled to compensation if you were exposed to toxic materials during a truck accident in Alabama. However, unlike typical vehicle cases, these claims often require expert testing, in-depth medical reviews, and a detailed investigation to determine who was responsible.

Read on to learn what to expect after a hazardous materials crash, compensation available to victims, and how a Huntsville truck accident attorney can maximize your financial recovery.

What Counts as Hazardous Material in an Alabama Crash?

Massive trucks loaded with toxic or flammable cargo travel Alabama’s roads daily. When one of these trucks crashes, that cargo can spill, ignite, or contaminate the scene, creating a serious hazard for anyone nearby.

Common types of hazardous cargo include:

  • Toxic chemicals used in manufacturing or agriculture
  • Industrial waste such as solvents, cleaning agents, or metal byproducts
  • Flammable fuels like gasoline, diesel, or propane
  • Corrosive substances used in industrial or chemical processing
  • Medical or biohazardous waste from hospitals, labs, or clinics

Exposure doesn’t always require direct contact. Toxic fumes, contaminated surfaces, or just being close to the crash site can be enough to put drivers, first responders, and bystanders at risk. These materials can affect people in ways that aren’t always obvious.

The Hidden Toll of Hazardous Material Exposure

Unlike a broken bone or visible injury, toxic substances often cause internal damage. In many cases, symptoms develop gradually or aren’t immediately linked to the crash.

Accident victims often experience health symptoms such as:

  • Respiratory issues like chronic coughing, asthma, or lung damage
  • Chemical burns from skin contact or airborne particles
  • Neurological damage due to toxin absorption
  • Long-term cancer risks, especially with carcinogenic exposure
  • Organ failure or reproductive harm from prolonged or severe exposure

For example, Benzene, a chemical commonly transported in fuel and industrial shipments by tanker trucks, has been linked to leukemia and other blood disorders, even in people with only limited exposure over time.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Exposure-related crash claims can include far more than initial medical costs. Depending on how the incident has affected your health and ability to work, you may be able to pursue:

  • Emergency medical care, including decontamination and hospitalization
  • Ongoing treatment, such as breathing therapy, specialist care, or medications
  • Medical monitoring, especially if your exposure raises long-term cancer risk
  • Lost wages during recovery or time off for repeated doctor visits
  • Pain and suffering, both from the immediate trauma and future uncertainty
  • Punitive damages if the crash involved severe negligence or regulatory violations

Compensation in these cases includes both current and future costs. A skilled Huntsville truck accident attorney can help document your injuries, work with medical experts, and pursue the full amount you are legally entitled to recover.

Why You Need an Attorney for Hazardous Material Claims

Exposure cases aren’t like typical vehicle accidents. To recover the full amount you’re owed, you need legal support from someone who understands the unique challenges of hazardous material crashes.

An experienced truck accident attorney can:

  • Identify the Hazardous Material: Confirm what substance was involved in the crash and whether it was labeled correctly, secured, and documented. This is essential for determining the source of harm and damages you may pursue.
  • Coordinate Environmental Testing: Bring in qualified experts to test the surrounding air, soil, or water for contamination. Early testing can uncover harmful exposure risks that may not be obvious right after the crash.
  • Document Medical Impact: Work with toxicologists and healthcare providers to connect your symptoms to the substance involved. This includes identifying delayed effects and outlining your long-term medical needs.
  • Apply Safety Regulations: Analyze evidence like time logs or black box data to determine if the carrier violated Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, including weight limits, or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules on hours of service and maintenance.
  • Establish Liability: Identify all responsible parties, which may include the driver, trucking company, shipper, loader, or chemical manufacturer. These cases often involve overlapping roles and shared accountability by more than one party.

At Tyler Mann Injury Law, we work with trusted specialists and use detailed records to show the full impact of your exposure and negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries.

Get Experienced Legal Support With Tyler Mann Injury Law

Hazardous material exposure can lead to serious health problems and costly medical care. When those injuries result from a truck crash, the legal process often involves multiple potentially liable parties, safety violations, and technical evidence.

At Tyler Mann Injury Law, we work with trusted experts, gather the right documentation, and hold trucking companies and insurers accountable.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and learn how we can help with your claim.