HAZMAT & Tanker Truck Accident FAQs

Yes. While our offices are located in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Decatur, Haug Barron Law Group represents plaintiffs throughout the State of Georgia — from Savannah to Columbus to Augusta to Gainesville and everywhere in between. We also have experience in federal court, including the Northern District of Georgia (NDGA), which is important when federal HAZMAT regulations are at the center of a dispute.

Chemical and toxic exposure injuries often involve latency — meaning symptoms develop or worsen over months or years after initial exposure. Conditions like respiratory disease, neurological damage, and cancer may not be diagnosed until long after the accident. Our firm works with toxicologists and occupational medicine specialists who can document the causal link between your exposure and your diagnosis, even when a significant time gap exists.

Yes. Georgia’s modified comparative fault system allows recovery as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Moreover, even if another party (such as a defective tank manufacturer or negligent cargo shipper) bears responsibility, your attorney can bring claims against all liable parties simultaneously. Trucking companies routinely deny or minimize fault — our firm’s plaintiff-only focus means we are experienced at piercing these denials with regulatory evidence and independent investigation.

You may still have a valid claim. Individuals who sustained injuries from chemical exposure, were forced to evacuate, incurred property damage from a spill or explosion, or suffered health consequences from a HAZMAT release in their neighborhood may all be entitled to compensation — even if they were not involved in the collision itself.

Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, Georgia’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline. However, if a government entity (such as a county or municipality) is involved, notice must often be provided within 12 months under the Georgia Tort Claims Act, or even shorter periods for local governments. There is no advantage to waiting — contact Haug Barron Law Group as soon as possible after your accident.