Texas Truck Accident Lawyers

Hazardous Material Spills

If you have ever driven on a busy freeway during rush hour, the scene of road flares, police, and an overturned 18-wheeler is probably not an unfamiliar sight. These accidents can be frightening to witness or drive by, especially if they involve other motorists and their vehicles. Overturned commercial vehicles pose a particular risk when they are hauling a hazardous material.

Report Oil Spills

Drivers of commercial vehicles are responsible for reporting if a spill of hazardous material has occurred, whether or not it was due to a collision or accident. When dealing with oil spills (gasoline, diesel, heating oils, hydraulic oils, lubricating oils, etc.) an initial telephone report of any discharge must be made to the Department of Environmental Protection as soon as possible, but within two hours of the incident. If the report is made within two hours, the responsible party will not be subject to any reporting fines.

Report Hazardous Materials

All spills and incidents involving hazardous material must be reported immediately to the Department of Public Safety. A notification must be submitted in writing to the DEP within 15 days.

Who Pays?

The responsible party (the spiller) is legally responsible for cleanup and may choose to do so under the direction of the DEP. In the event that a party cannot or is unable to provide for their own cleanup, local emergency responders like the fire department will step in to ensure community safety.

If you or someone you know has suffered injuries or death because of an accident involving a large commercial vehicle, contact the Texas truck accident lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-220-9341 for a free consultation. We will discuss your case and further legal options.