Garbage trucks are very large and heavy vehicles that make many sudden stops. They often squeeze into narrow alleys to pick up garbage, and garbage men operating them sometimes have strict schedules to follow that force them to move quickly.
Unfortunately, many things can go wrong with these trucks on the road, especially as garbage trucks navigate residential neighborhoods with many pedestrians and other drivers. When a garbage truck becomes involved in an accident, its sheer size and weight — particularly when it is full of garbage — can lead to serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
Drafahl Law Firm has represented many clients in accident claims and can help those hurt by collisions involving garbage trucks. Our dedicated and experienced legal team understands the complexities of these cases, including the challenges in identifying third-party garbage truck owners or navigating lawsuits against city or county departments when the government is responsible for trash collection.
To find out more about how our St. Louis truck accident lawyers can help you in your garbage truck accident case, give us a call today.
Common Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents
Garbage truck accidents can occur for many reasons, but here are some of the most common causes of collisions involving these large commercial vehicles.
- Driver fatigue: Trash collection often begins very early, and garbage truck drivers may have long days on the job. When drivers are tired, their judgment and reflexes are impaired, and the risks of a crash increase.
- Vehicle size and weight: Garbage trucks are not only extremely large, but they are also very heavy vehicles, especially when they are filled with garbage. This creates a long stopping distance and can make the truck unbalanced, increasing the risk of something going wrong.
- Vehicle blind spots: Because of their size and the specialized equipment these trucks are equipped with, they have many blind spots. This can create an outsized risk of a collision with pedestrians or when making lane changes.
- Frequent starts and stops: Garbage trucks stop and start constantly, as that’s the nature of the job. This can create a dangerous situation for others on the road, especially if another driver misjudges their stopping distance
- Reckless driving: Garbage truck drivers with strict schedules to meet may engage in unsafe behaviors like speeding. Sometimes, drivers also become distracted by looking ahead at the next house they need to pick up at or by studying their GPS if they’re taking an unfamiliar route when pickup schedules change.
These are just some of the many potential causes of collisions involving garbage trucks. Ultimately, driving these large vehicles safely requires specialized training and careful operation, and when garbage truck owners or operators fail to exercise appropriate caution, the consequences can be devastating.
Who is Responsible for Garbage Truck Accidents?
Garbage truck drivers can be held liable for losses, but often they do not have much, if any, insurance coverage in place while driving the truck — or many assets to pay for very large verdicts when serious losses happen. As a result, it’s often best to take legal action against the owner or operating company responsible for the truck.
In some cases, it can be difficult to identify the third-party owners of these vehicles. If the government runs the trash pickup, then things also become even more complicated, as claims against government entities have different rules, deadlines, and may involve sovereign immunity or the Missouri Tort Claims Act.
You need an experienced attorney who can help you obtain the necessary information to identify all defendants and hold the right people liable for your losses.
Getting Help from a St. Louis Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer
A St. Louis garbage truck accident lawyer can help with every step of your garbage truck accident case, from interviewing witnesses to finding experts to identifying those who must compensate you for losses.
Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the assistance we can offer after a garbage truck caused you or your loved one to suffer harm.