Hazmat Trucks & Hazardous Material Spills During a Truck Accident

Large commercial trucks play a central role in transporting goods across Virginia and the country. However, when those trucks carry hazardous materials, the risks involved with an accident escalate significantly.

A crash involving a hazmat truck certainly means potential collision injuries, but there’s also a high risk of things like toxic spills, fires, explosions, and even long-term environmental damage.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident involving a hazmat truck? Make sure you understand how these cases differ from typical truck accidents and what your legal options may be.

What is a hazmat truck accident?

A hazmat truck accident refers specifically to “any collision involving a commercial vehicle transporting hazardous materials; substances that are flammable, toxic, explosive, corrosive, or otherwise dangerous to people or the environment.”

These materials are regulated under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Regulations and often require specialized packaging, signage, and driver training.

When a truck carrying hazardous cargo crashes, the consequences affect not just the people directly involved, but for anyone nearby, including emergency responders and entire communities.

For instance, in February 2025, a tanker truck carrying ammonia wrecked on I-81 in Augusta County, shutting down both northbound and southbound lanes for the entire day so that crews could clean up the dangerous ammonia.

In May 2025, a tanker truck carrying pesticide wrecked in Stafford, VA, which required the notification of area residents, shut down the roadway for hours for cleanup, and potentially allowed pesticides to leach into the surrounding environment.

Thankfully, there were only minor injuries involved in these two examples. Too often, hazmat truck accidents have a much higher human toll.

Common hazardous materials transported by truck

Hazardous materials fall into nine classifications under federal regulations. Some of the most common hazmat cargoes include:

• Flammable liquids (gasoline, ethanol, diesel, etc.)
• Toxic gases (ammonia, chlorine, carbon monoxide, etc.)
• Corrosive materials (sulfuric acid and battery acid, for example)
• Radioactive substances
• Explosives (fireworks and ammunition, for instance)
• Oxidizers (bleach or hydrogen peroxide)
• Combustible solids (magnesium and matches)

Even routine substances or goods, like cleaning supplies or even propane tanks, can become extremely dangerous when spilled or ignited in an accident.

Why hazmat truck accidents are so dangerous

Unlike a standard crash, a hazmat truck accident introduces a second layer of risk: exposure to dangerous chemicals. That can mean things like the following:

1. Toxic exposure

If hazardous chemicals spill or vaporize, they can enter the air, soil, or water. Inhaling fumes, touching contaminated surfaces, or coming into direct contact can mean:

• Burns
• Respiratory issues
• Neurological damage
• Cancer

2. Fire and explosion risk

Many hazmat loads are highly flammable or explosive under the right conditions, leading to explosions, fires, and more.

3. Environmental damage

Chemicals can seep into nearby waterways, kill wildlife, and make entire areas unsafe for human activity. Cleanup efforts can take days, weeks, or longer.

4. Delayed emergency response

First responders may need to wait for hazmat crews or wear protective gear before they can help crash victims, and delays in care can mean more serious injuries or prolonged exposure to hazardous substances.

5. Evacuations and road closures

Hazardous spills sometimes lead to highway shutdowns, neighborhood evacuations, or shelter-in-place orders.

Who can be held liable after a hazmat truck accident?

Hazmat trucking is a tightly regulated industry, but those regulations aren’t always followed. When a hazardous material accident happens, multiple parties may be responsible for the crash or the severity of the spill.

1. The truck driver

If the driver was speeding, fatigued, distracted, or improperly trained, they could be held liable.

2. The trucking company

Carriers are responsible for making sure their drivers are qualified, their trucks are properly maintained, and all hazmat regulations are followed. They may be liable for:

• Failing to train drivers in hazardous material handling
• Skipping mandatory vehicle inspections
• Overloading or mislabeling the cargo
• Forcing drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines

3. Shippers or loaders

Sometimes, the company that loads the hazardous cargo fails to secure containers, uses damaged drums, or mixes the wrong materials. That can cause leaks, imbalance the truck, or make an accident more dangerous.

4. Manufacturers of faulty equipment

If the crash was caused by a mechanical failure (think faulty brakes, defective tires, or a leaking valve), then the manufacturer of that part may be partially at fault.

5. Third parties

Other drivers or government entities may share liability (although claims against public entities in Virginia may be limited due to sovereign immunity protections under state law).

What to do after a hazmat truck accident

Crashes involving hazardous materials are chaotic and frightening. Whether you’re a driver, passenger, or bystander, your health and safety must come first.

Here are the most important steps to take:

1. Get to safety

Move away from the vehicle and the spill if possible. Avoid inhaling fumes or touching anything contaminated. If emergency personnel are on the scene, follow their instructions.

2. Seek medical attention

Even if you don’t feel injured, exposure to hazardous materials can cause delayed symptoms. Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible and mention any exposure concerns.

3. Document what you can

If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the crash site, your injuries, and any visible spills. Note the truck’s placards (those diamond-shaped signs showing what kind of hazmat is onboard).

4. Report the incident

If the police didn’t respond, make sure the accident is reported and documented. Your attorney will also want to see the accident report, which may mention hazmat involvement or citations.

5. Contact a truck accident attorney

Hazmat truck accident cases are complex, with layers of liability, specialized evidence, and federal regulations. An experienced truck accident lawyer can:

• Investigate who’s responsible
• Work with toxicology or hazmat experts
• Navigate state and federal laws
• Fight for full compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term harm

How hazmat truck cases differ from regular truck accidents

While any truck crash is serious, hazmat cases are different:

• Multiple agencies may investigate, including the Department of Transportation, the EPA, or local hazmat teams.
• Specialized evidence like spill reports, chemical data sheets, or compliance records may be required.
• Injuries can be more severe, even for those not directly involved in the crash.
• Long-term impacts (think cancer risk or environmental damage) must be factored into compensation.

Because of this complexity, it’s especially important to have a legal team that understands how to build a case involving hazardous materials and trucking law.

Injured in a hazmat truck accident? We can help.

At Phelan Petty, we handle complex truck accident cases involving hazardous materials throughout Virginia. Our team has the resources and experience to hold negligent companies accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.