Trucking insurance offers financial and legal security to commercial truck drivers. Safety is always a concern, and drivers should make certain that they are following all federal and state hazmat regulations if they carry hazardous materials. If these regulations are not followed large fines and penalties will be given along with the possibility of being banned from working with commercial transports.
Other drivers on the road can tell which trucks are carrying hazardous materials by the signs they are required to have by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Drivers carrying hazardous materials should ensure that they also follow all state and local regulations.
If an accident incurs involving a truck carrying hazardous materials all of the proper authorities should be notified. The first agency to call will not be your insurance provider but they will need to be notified. The first call made should be to emergency services and then within 12 hours the Department of Transportation (DOT) National Response Center (NRC) should be contacted.
There are a number of instances that could require contacting these agencies. If a person is injured and requires hospitalization or is killed the appropriate authorities need to be notified. Another instance would be public evacuation lasting for one hour or more or a block in a major transportation route lasting more than one hour.
When making a call to report such an accident you should have the information needed easily at hand. You will be asked for the name, address and contact information of the reporter along with the date, time and location of the accident. Also know if there were any injuries sustained and the amount of hazardous materials involved.
Within 30 days of the above circumstances DOT Form 5800 must be filed. This form must also be followed for the following circumstances.
- The discovery of undeclared hazardous materials. – Unintentional release of hazardous materials or waste. – Damage to the lading retention system in a cargo tank with a capacity of 1,000 gallons or more containing any hazardous materials.
Become familiar with the requirements associated with transporting hazardous materials and what is expected of you in the event of an accident. The surest way to protect yourself and your trucking investments in the unfortunate event of an accident is to follow all required regulations and to make certain you have proper trucking insurance coverage.
