Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer
Garbage trucks come into neighbors on a scheduled basis and very little thought is given to them except perhaps to notice the noise and smell. While garbage trucks perform a necessity in our daily lives of hauling trash and recycling to the dump, they can cause severe injury if they are involved in a traffic collision with another vehicle, motorcyclist, cyclist, or pedestrian. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the actions of a garbage truck driver, it is your right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. A garbage truck accident lawyer can help determine if you have a case and guide you through the legal process.
Common Reasons For Garbage Truck Accidents
- Frequent stops—Frequent stops to pick up trash are a reality for garbage truck drivers. However, if they do not signal properly, other drivers may not expect the stop leading to rear-end collisions. Furthermore, brakes are more likely to wear out with frequent stops and a garbage truck may have poor stopping power in traffic.
- Bad weather conditions—Trash and recycling are picked up on a schedule, regardless of what the weather conditions may be outside. Rain can severely reduce visibility and make the roads slick, which increases the risk of a crash. It is important that drivers not only drive the speed limit, but drive an appropriate speed for the road conditions. In poor weather, that means slowing down to avoid a crash.
- Poorly maintained garbage trucks—If a waste management company fails to maintain the garbage trucks that run routes for them, there can be mechanical issues that impair a driver’s ability to safely navigate the truck. Problems can occur with brakes, steering, windshields, and more.
- Negligent driving behavior—Just like any other driver, a garbage truck driver who is distracted, fatigued, intoxicated, or aggressive is more likely to cause a collision on the road. The only difference is the weight and size of a garbage truck is likely to cause severe injuries or even death for the injured victims.
Steps to Take After Being Hit By a Garbage Truck
The most important step in any traffic collision is to seek medical attention for any injuries you sustained. If your injuries are not life-threatening and you are able to stay on the scene of the crash, it is important to contact the police so a report can be filed. If you are a garbage truck employee, it is critical that you notify your employer of the incident. Other helpful steps to take initially at the crash scene include obtaining witnesses’ contact information and taking pictures of what occurred. After you have sought medical treatment, it is time to reach out to a personal injury attorney for help filing a claim.
Contact A Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been harmed in a garbage truck accident, reach out to the personal injury lawyers at Matassini Law Firm. We have the experience and skill to prove liability in your case and will fight for the best compensation possible. Call us at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation.
