Garbage Truck Accidents 

Garbage trucks, also known as a waste truck, refuse truck, or trash truck, are specialized vehicles designed for the collection and transportation of waste materials from residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Its primary purpose is to pick up and transport garbage or solid waste to disposal sites, such as landfills or recycling facilities. 
 
Garbage trucks come in various types, but the most common ones include: 

• Front loader: These trucks have hydraulic arms on the front that lift and empty large dumpsters into the truck’s container. 

• Rear loader: These trucks are equipped with a hydraulic mechanism at the rear that lifts and empties smaller bins into a compactor within the truck. 

• Side loader: These trucks feature a mechanical arm or hopper on the side, allowing workers to pick up and empty bins without leaving the truck. 

• Roll-off: These trucks are used for transporting large containers, such as roll-off dumpsters used in construction or renovation projects. 

Garbage trucks often incorporate compactors to compress the waste, maximizing the amount that can be carried. 

If you or a loved one has been involved in a garbage truck accident, it is crucial to understand your rights and seek legal representation from an experienced lawyer like those at VanDerGinst Law to ensure you receive fair compensation.  

Reasons Garbage Truck Accidents Occur 

Garbage truck accidents can occur due to various reasons, including: 

• Driver error: Like any other vehicle, accidents can happen due to driver error, such as distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, or impaired driving. 

• Blind spots: Garbage trucks have large blind spots, especially around the rear and sides, which can make it difficult for the driver to see pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles. This can lead to accidents if proper precautions are not taken. 

• Backing up incidents: Garbage trucks often need to reverse or back up to collect waste. This maneuver can be challenging and increases the risk of accidents, especially if the driver fails to check blind spots or use rearview cameras and mirrors effectively. 

• Pedestrian or cyclist interactions: Garbage trucks make frequent stops to collect waste, and pedestrians or cyclists may interact with them closely. Lack of awareness or misjudgment by either party can lead to accidents. 

• Mechanical failures: Equipment malfunctions or failure of essential components, such as brakes or steering systems, can lead to accidents while operating a garbage truck. 

• Improper loading or securing of waste: If waste is not properly loaded, secured, or contained within the truck, it can spill onto the road, leading to accidents or hazards for other vehicles. 
   

• Environmental factors: Poor weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice, can affect the road conditions and make driving a garbage truck more challenging, increasing the risk of accidents. 

To mitigate these risks, it is crucial for garbage truck operators to prioritize proper driver training, regular maintenance and inspections, use of safety technology (such as proximity sensors or cameras) and adhere to safe operating procedures. Additionally, awareness campaigns and education for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users can help reduce accidents involving garbage trucks. 

How Often Do Garbage Truck Accidents Occur? 

The frequency of garbage truck accidents can vary depending on various factors, including the region, population density, and the number of garbage trucks operating in an area. While there is no specific global statistic on the exact frequency of garbage truck accidents, it is important to note that accidents involving garbage trucks do occur. 
 
Garbage truck accidents can range from minor incidents to more severe collisions resulting in injuries or fatalities. The exact frequency of these accidents can be influenced by factors such as driver training, adherence to safety protocols, road conditions, and the presence of safety technologies on the vehicles. 
 
To reduce the occurrence of garbage truck accidents, it is vital for waste management companies and drivers to prioritize safety by implementing proper driver training programs, regular vehicle maintenance, and the use of safety technologies. Additionally, raising awareness among pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users about the potential hazards associated with garbage trucks can also help in preventing accidents. 

Who is Liable to Compensate Victims of Garbage Truck Accidents 

Determining liability in garbage truck accidents can be a complex process as it may involve multiple parties. Here are a few potential parties that could be held responsible: 

• Garbage Truck Driver: If the accident was caused due to the driver’s negligence, such as distracted driving, DUI, or violating traffic rules, the driver could be held liable. 

• Garbage Collection Company: The company may also be held liable, especially if it failed to properly maintain the truck, neglected to train the driver adequately, or encouraged unsafe practices. 

• Truck Manufacturer: If a fault in the truck’s design or manufacturing led to the accident, the truck manufacturer could be held responsible. 

• Government Entities: In some cases, if the garbage truck is owned by a city or municipal entity, they might bear some liability. However, it’s important to note that suing a government entity can be complex due to sovereign immunity laws. 

• Other Vehicle Drivers: If the accident was caused by the negligence of another vehicle driver, that driver or their insurance company might be liable. 
   

It’s crucial to consult with a personal injury attorney who can help determine liability and guide you through the legal process. Each accident is unique, and a legal professional from VanDerGinst Law can help navigate the specific circumstances of your case.  

Investigating a Garbage Truck Accident 

Proving liability in a garbage truck accident typically requires gathering evidence and establishing the legal elements of negligence. Here are some steps that may be required to prove liability: 

• Collect evidence: Gather all available evidence which could help establish the facts surrounding the accident, such as: 

• photographs 

• videos 

• witness statements 

• police reports 

• cell phone records 

• truck maintenance records 

• logbooks 

• personnel files 

• training manuals 

• construction site or roadway information 

• Identify potential witnesses: Speak to any witnesses present at the accident scene and gather their contact information. Their statements may support your claim and help establish liability. 

• Preserve physical evidence: If there are any physical objects involved in the accident, such as damage to vehicles or road conditions, make sure to document and preserve them as evidence. 

• Consult with experts: In some cases, it may be necessary to consult with accident reconstruction experts or other professionals who can provide expert opinions on liability. 

• Review applicable laws and regulations: Familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws and any specific regulations related to flatbed trucks or commercial vehicles. This can help determine if any violations occurred that contributed to the accident. 

• Establish negligence: To prove liability, you generally need to establish that the party you believe is at fault was negligent. This involves demonstrating that they had a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach caused the accident and resulting damages. 

Remember, every accident case is unique, and the specific steps to prove liability may vary. It’s essential to consult with a lawyer who can guide you through the process based on the specific details of your case. The lawyers at VanDerGinst Law have the knowledge and experience to handle these types of cases and get you the compensation you deserve.   

How to Protect Your Rights After a Garbage Truck Accident 

If you do not need immediate medical attention and it is safe to do so, you may 

• Document the scene of the accident with photos and/or videos 

• Gather contact information for witnesses 

Otherwise, the best things you can do to protect yourself is 

• Treat your injuries.  Get the necessary care to treat injuries caused in the accident.  Be sure to keep a list of all the medical care providers so that records can be ordered. 

• Memorialize your recovery.  Keep a journal to outline how your life is adversely impacted by your injuries. Take photos and videos to show your recovery efforts and the impact on your life. 

• Contact VanDerGinst Law.  We will ensure your case is properly documented so you can receive the maximum compensation available for your case.  

Bringing a Claim for Injuries Caused by a Garbage Truck Accident 

People hurt in an accident with a garbage truck generally are entitled to compensation if it can be shown another party was responsible for causing the crash that caused the injuries.  Once fault has been established, the injured party will need to show the extent of their damages.  The forms of compensation which may be available include (but are not limited to): 

• Medical bills 

• Past and future lost income 

• Pain and suffering 

• Disability (failure to enjoy a normal life) 

• Wrongful death (if there is a loss of life) 

• Scarring 

• Emotional distress/mental anguish 

• Loss of consortium 

• Property damage 

• Out of pocket expenses  

How Much Compensation Should You Get for Your Injuries? 

If you suffered injuries in a collision with a garbage truck, you may wonder what your claim is worth.  Every situation is unique.  Any attorney who would attempt to give you an idea of the true value of your claim without a detailed analysis is either incompetent or untrustworthy.   

Assessing the value of a claim involves answering the following questions: 

• Are your injuries severe or permanent? 

• What are the nature of your injuries? 

• What type of treatment did your injuries require? 

• What was the length of your care and treatment? 

• Are you still receiving treatment?  If so, for how long do you expect to continue treating? 

• What was the cost of your care and treatment?  What do you expect the cost of future care to be? 

• Did you have to miss any work due to your injuries? 

• Did you lose any wages? If so, how much income have you lost? 

• Are you expected to lose further income?  If so, for how long? 

• Do you experience pain and suffering related to your injuries?  If so, how would you rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 and how has the pain evolved over the course of time? 

• Did you require specialized medical equipment, such as a wheelchair or ramp after your injury? 

• Did the accident leave you disfigured or scarred in any way? 

• Did you sustain any temporary or permanent disability? If so, what were they? 

These are just a few questions to assist in determining a fair compensation amount in a garbage truck accident case.  A consultation with a VanDerGinst Law delivery vehicle accident lawyer can help you obtain a better understanding regarding compensation available to you. 

Wrongful Death Actions 

If your loved one died as a result of injuries sustained in an garbage truck accident, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.  Typically, close family members, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings may pursue a wrongful death action. The compensation you receive will never replace the loss of your loved one, but it will allow you to be compensated for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost financial support, and compensation for your grief and emotional distress.   

Contact a Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer Today 

An accident involving a garbage truck can leave you injured, with high medical bills, the inability to work, and pain and suffering.  VanDerGinst law can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.  Call today 800-960-8529 or click here.`