What Should I Do if I’m Hit by a Garbage Truck?
December 4, 2019 | Truck Accidents
Waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. A standard garbage truck weighs approximately 64,000 pounds when filled with trash, liquid, and debris, and can cause catastrophic injuries and damage if involved in a crash with a passenger vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist.
Operating a garbage truck requires certification from Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources, extensive knowledge of safety information, and a commitment to keeping Missouri land safe from toxic waste and debris while remaining dedicated to keeping others on the road safe. Yet, between 2016 and 2017, there was an 18-percent increase in waste management fatalities, with the most common cause being dump truck accidents.
Common Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents
There are various ways that a garbage truck accident can occur, but generally, garbage truck accidents are caused by distracted or inexperienced waste collection workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 46-percent of garbage truck fatalities between 2011-2015 involved a garbage truck backing up and striking a parked vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist, or other objects. Other common causes of garbage truck accidents include:
- Overloading Accidents
- Pedestrian/Bicycle Collisions
- Distracted Driving
- Driver Inexperience
If you suffered personal property damage in a garbage truck accident in Missouri or lost someone close to you in a trash truck collision, you could be entitled to compensation. In Missouri, personal injury victims have up to five years from the date of an accident to file a valid garbage truck accident claim.
Missouri Garbage Truck Accident Lawsuits
In Missouri alone, between 2011-2015, 8 people lost their lives in garbage truck accidents. In addition to this number of fatalities, countless truck accident claims were filed. Commonly reported injuries in Missouri garbage truck lawsuits to include head injuries, back injuries, and spinal cord injuries, among countless personal property damage and pain and suffering claims.
Waste collection employees are required to follow the following Missouri waste collection regulations to keep residents and their property safe, but if any of these regulations are violated, and harm is caused to a passenger vehicle driver, pedestrian, or another person’s property, garbage truck drivers can be sued by the victim for damages:
- Repeatedly checking side mirrors and using hand signals when backing up
- Maintaining brakes, backup lights, and backing up alarms
- Establishing direct eye contact with a spotter when in reverse
- Stopping the truck if the spotter has to change positions to offer a clear visual of blind spots to the driver
If you are involved in a garbage truck accident, the first thing you need to do is get treated for injuries and consult a St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer about your situation. An experienced attorney can ensure that you have the negligent driver’s information, evidence from the accident, report the accident to not only the police, but the Department of Labor, and make sure that you have a compelling Missouri truck accident claim.
St. Louis Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers
The St. Louis Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers at the Dixon Injury Firm are committed to offering personalized legal advice to injury victims in Missouri and Illinois. Our experienced attorneys understand the importance of offering client-centered, yet aggressive representation for garbage truck accident claims in Missouri, and focused on demanding the results that our clients not only want but deserve for their harm and losses.
Christopher Dixon is a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer,” recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association, has recovered over $35,000,000 in settlements and recoveries for injury victims in Missouri, and will always have your case’s best interests at heart.
If you have been injured in a garbage truck accident, and need a St. Louis Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer to assess your case and develop a strong Missouri trash truck claim for your case, call (314) 208-2808, or contact the Dixon Injury Firm today for a free case review or consultation.