First of all, we need to thank the garbage trucks since they play a big role in keeping the environment clean. Unfortunately, this gigantic vehicle poses a danger to other road users. If an accident happens, garbage truck accident lawyers assist you in getting legal aid in settling the related issues.
Trash trucks claim around 75% of victims in a year, including cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. As a road user, you must raise your alertness to avoid this accident. The high number of accidents caused by trash trucks can be a reason for you to learn more about the legal rules regarding this case. Let’s learn the details below!
4 Common Motives Leading to Garbage Truck Accidents
The prior paragraph explains that the number of trash truck accidents in America is relatively high within a year. Paul B. Weitz has collected data on the motives for cleaning vehicle accidents. Discover the four motives, as follows.
1. Driver’s Negligence
The most common motive for accidents is driver negligence in driving. This negligence includes the driver not focusing while driving, speeding, tired, impaired, or even drowsy. Correspondingly, the driver cannot drive properly and safely, causing an accident.
In another instance, the driver did not give a warning sign when the vehicle was reversing. Hence, road users behind them could not avoid the truck. In this case, the victim can sue the truck driver through the garbage truck accident lawyers they appoint.
2. Poor Vehicle Condition
Even though trash trucks do not carry passengers, they still require good maintenance to ensure safe driving. Regrettably, many waste vehicles are in poor condition because they do not receive good maintenance.
Maintaining the vehicle is the responsibility of the driver, municipality, or private company. Thus, the poor condition of the truck opens up the opportunity for these parties to get a lawsuit if an accident occurs.
3. Failure to See Other Objects
The next common motive that causes trash trucks to frequently have accidents is failure to see other objects. The reason is the bigger the vehicle, the more blind spots there are. Generally, these blind spots are in the back or side of the truck.
Which party do you think garbage truck accident lawyers will sue for liability? In this case, it is the driver who has a big chance of getting a lawsuit over an accident that occurred because he failed to see another object.
4. Falling Debris or Other Objects
Since these cleaning vehicles carry a lot of rubbish or sometimes even exceed their capacity, a lot of debris may fall during the journey. Falling debris and other objects can interfere with the safety of road users behind or next to trucks.
Additionally, trash and cleaning equipment that is not properly secured can cause damage to other vehicles or injury. If such a case occurs, of course, the driver will be asked to pay compensation.
What Is The Aftermath Of A Garbage Truck Accident?
Collisions between trash trucks and other vehicles can cause severe damage considering their monstrous size. Furthermore, the Truck Accident page also states that accident victims also have the potential to suffer severe injuries, as below.
1. Violent Death
In cases of severe trash truck collisions, it can cause violent death. The victim’s family could be in deep shock over this incident because it caused their loved one to die suddenly. Garbage truck accident lawyers can assist families of violent death victims in obtaining financial compensation for emotional suffering.
Losing their loved one suddenly can cause stress, being overwhelmed, and devastated. It is necessary to undergo therapy from a professional in order to prevent any worsening emotional and psychological condition.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Colliding with a gigantic vehicle will surely result in a violent impact. Correspondingly, this hard impact will cause neck, back, and even spinal injuries. Spinal cord injuries do not only affect crash victims sitting in cars but also pedestrians or bikers involved in the accident.
The accident victims who suffer spinal cord injuries may still survive. However, they will likely become disabled so they will not be able to carry out regular activities.
Since the accident victim was diagnosed with spinal cord injuries, make sure the family immediately hires garbage truck accident lawyers to get compensation for medical costs.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury – TBI
Another impact of a collision with a trash truck is experiencing Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Typically, the symptoms of TBI do not appear immediately after the accident but remain for several days or weeks afterward.
Mild TBI patients will experience temporary problems such as problems understanding, thinking, communicating, acting, and moving. Meanwhile, in severe conditions, TBI can cause severe and permanent disability, as well as death.
4. Broken Bones and Amputation
Don’t hesitate to reach out to garbage truck accident lawyers right away if you or your loved ones become victims of this kind of accident. Since a collision with a trash truck can cause broken bones or amputation, the victim will likely lose his wages because he cannot go to work as usual.
The recovery process after a broken bone also takes a long time, making it impossible for collision victims to work. In fact, severe bone fractures may also lead to amputation. Of course, amputation will cause physical disability making it difficult to work normally anymore.
The Ultimate Guide to Selecting Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers
You can follow the tips for choosing a lawyer to deal with accidents that Forbes shared as explained in the details below.Â
1. Proven Experience in The Case
Make sure you choose a lawyer who is competent in handling garbage truck accident cases. Apart from that, make sure the lawyer you appoint has successful experience defending similar cases.
2. Contingency Fees
Don’t hesitate to discuss how much it will cost you to deal with a garbage truck accident case. It would be even better if they provided detailed cost information.
3. Successful Trial Experience
Consider choosing a lawyer who has had a lot of successful trial experience. Thus, you will get maximum defense.
4. Communication Skills
Choosing a lawyer with excellent communication skills is also an essential consideration since many legal terms are not understood by non-experts. Excellent communication skills will make it easier for you to understand legal information conveyed by lawyers.
Is Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers Post Worthwhile?
On the whole, road users need to broaden their knowledge about garbage truck accident lawyers since the number of accidents is relatively high. Aside from that, garbage truck collisions also cause property damage and fatal physical injuries.
Getting legal assistance from specialized attorneys surely will help the victims or their families to get appropriate compensation.
