Due to the critical role garbage trucks or waste disposal vehicles play in our society, you may frequently see them on our roads. These large vehicles pick up refuse from commercial properties and residential homes and transfer them safely to recycling facilities or landfills. In spite of their efforts in keeping our communities clean, garbage trucks have the potential to cause serious damages when involved in a motor vehicle accident. Statistics by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) showed 1,427 injuries and 107 fatalities in 2017 alone. If you have suffered injuries in a garbage truck accident in Gretna, LA, a Gretna garbage truck accident lawyer can help you. The law office of the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help you recover damages. Call us today at (504) 613-4771 for a free case evaluation.
Types of Garbage Truck Accidents
A garbage truck accident may involve a collision with passenger cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists. However, there are other types of truck accidents. They include:
- Garbage truck rollovers: Since garbage trucks weigh between 15 to 35 tons, it is probable for an unfocused, inexperienced, or negligent driver to crash into an obstruction and throw off the vehicle’s center of gravity.
- Garbage falling from the truck: In an attempt to swerve unsecured garbage falling off the truck, motorists can collide with each other, crash into pedestrians, road signs, or other obstructions on the road, sustaining serious injuries in the process.
- Colliding with other vehicles: One source, Titan Recycle and Trash, stated that a garbage truck typically weighs between 20 to 32 tons. This weight means that a two-ton passenger car does not stand much of a chance following a collision.
- Motorists traveling in blind spots: If the truck driver does not exercise caution when changing lanes or backing up, passengers in a vehicle or a bicyclist moving in the garbage truck’s blind spots can lose their lives or suffer serious injuries.
- Motorists overtaking the garbage truck: A driver attempting to pass a garbage truck may lack the skill to do so efficiently or underestimate the size of the truck.
- Failing to see other road users: A distracted driver or one operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol may fail to see pedestrians, motorists, or other pedestrians.
For a free legal consultation with a Garbage Truck Accident lawyer serving Gretna, call 800-537-8185
Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents
From operating in dangerous weather conditions to its sheer size, the possibilities are endless. Below, you will find a variety of reasons behind garbage truck accidents.
- Negligent and risky driving
- Distracted garbage truck driver
- Inexperienced or inadequately trained driver
- Fatigued or overworked driver
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Oversized or unsecured loads
- Defective vehicle equipment
- Poorly maintained garbage truck
- Failing to yield to traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists
- Failing to adhere to traffic and road regulations
- Failing to check mirrors or blind spots
- Improper use of signals and faulty signals
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Injuries Surrounding Garbage Truck Accidents
Accidents involving a large, commercial vehicle can result in death or severe injuries and disabilities for the surviving victims. A Gretna garbage truck accident lawyer can help you determine your legal options. The multitude of injuries following an impact with other vehicles and pedestrians include:
- Fractured bones
- Muscle sprains or strains
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal organ injuries
- Ligament damage
- Neck injuries
- Back or spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Wrongful death
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Liability in Garbage Truck Accident Cases
When you hire the Morris Bart law firm, our legal team will conduct an extensive investigation in your claims to fish out those responsible for your injuries. However, you need to move quickly since Louisiana Statutes § CC 3492, the statute of limitations, only provides you one year from the date of the accident to take legal action. To understand your legal options, call us today at (504) 613-4771 to discuss your case for free.
Determining Liability
In garbage truck accident cases, determining liability can be a complicated and drawn-out process. While it is easy to hold the driver accountable, chances are they may not even be at fault. With our legal experts in your corner, you will discover those responsible for your injuries in no time. The liable parties may include:
- The owners: Typically, the local municipality, government entity, or a private company owns the garbage trucks. Breaching their duty of care by failing to maintain their vehicle properly, hiring inexperienced drivers, or not adhering to federal truck regulation can result in people sustaining injuries. When this happens, the entities who own the garbage truck can be held liable.
- The driver: In some cases, the at-fault party is the driver of the garbage truck. If they operate the vehicle haphazardly and ignore the regulations on the road, they can be held responsible if an accident occurs. Depending on the details of the case, the owners can be held liable for hiring a negligent driver and failing to investigate their professional background. However, if the driver has a release contract with the entity, liability can be limited, impacting the lawsuit.
- Maintenance team: The company contracted to keep the garbage trucks in premium condition can be held responsible if they were negligent in their maintenance procedures. On the other hand, if defective vehicle equipment caused the accident, then it can lead to a product liability lawsuit. Here, the manufacturers of the equipment can be held liable based on strict liability.
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Let Morris Bart, LLC Represent You
Your life can change drastically following a car accident involving a garbage truck. A Gretna garbage truck accident lawyer can protect your rights while navigating this legal matter. You should consider taking legal action against the liable parties. With the Morris Bart law firm working on your behalf, your chances of receiving compensation increases significantly. You may be able to recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, disability, and others. Call us today at (504) 613-4771 to get started with a free case review.
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