Yes, the Department of Transportation places strict guidelines requiring proper labeling on materials offered for transport. When approaching the question of who is liable for an accident involving a truck carrying hazardous materials, it may be important to consider that, in some cases, vicarious liability may apply. Vicarious liability is a legal concept where an employee’s employer, or in this case the trucking company, may be held liable for damages if the truck driver was the at-fault party. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their drivers receive the proper training and are following proper protocol whether it comes to loading and labeling hazardous materials properly, or other protocols while on the job, which is why in some cases the company may be found liable. This can be tricky to determine, and thus it is worth connecting with an experienced personal injury lawyer who is skilled at handling trucking accident lawsuits.