Injuries happen every single day. Some are minor, and some are serious, but each affects the victims and their loved ones. While most incidents can be taken care of on your own, some situations require legal action to get fair compensation.
If you are dealing with injuries related to garbage truck collisions, we can help. Our Palm Coast truck accident lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and hold the negligent parties responsible.
How Our Palm Coast Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than one million people are injured in traffic accidents every year and that 1.6 million are killed. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver. The odds of being involved in a crash increase dramatically at night when fewer people are on the road.
Garbage truck accidents can be devastating, especially if you or your loved one has been seriously injured. If a garbage truck driver was negligent, causing an accident that injured you–or worse–our legal team can help.
We can:
- Protect your rights and pursue a compensation claim while you recuperate from your injuries
- Explain the legal process and answer all of your questions
- Handle settlement negotiations
- Represent you in a trial
Common Causes of Garbage Truck Crashes
A garbage truck driver’s job is to safely collect and transport trash between residential, commercial, or industrial facilities. However, these large trucks are often involved in collisions and accidents due to their size and weight.
Many factors contribute to accidents involving garbage trucks, including:
- Distracted Driving: Garbage truck drivers are under a lot of pressure; the job requires them to get from one point to another as quickly as possible—sometimes in heavy traffic. That’s all well and good if they’re paying attention when driving. However, they lose focus by falling asleep or even using the phone, thus causing a fatal crash.
- Fatigue: Exhaustion is a major problem for garbage truck drivers since they often work long hours. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study found that tired drivers caused almost 70% of commercial vehicle crashes. Drivers should have adequate rest before getting back to duty to avoid such accidents.
- Speeding: The most dangerous thing a garbage truck driver can do is speed. Whether it’s speeding over the limit or speeding up to get out of a tight spot, drivers should be aware that their actions can lead to accidents.
- Mistaken Turn: One of the biggest causes of garbage truck crashes is the driver’s inability to recognize when to change direction or stop driving, which usually happens when drivers go through a red light.
- Blind Spot: Another common cause of garbage truck accidents is that not all motorists treat garbage trucks as they would other vehicles on the road. Truck drivers should be aware of vehicles in their blind spots, leading to an accident.
Injuries in Garbage Truck Accident
You may experience both minor and severe injuries from the crash, depending on other factors about the accident. The following are some injuries you may suffer during a crash:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Blunt trauma
- Burns and scalds
- Dislocations
- Sprains
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Actions to Take When Involved in Garbage Truck Accident
There are certain vital steps you should take to protect yourself if you are in an accident involving a garbage truck, such as:
Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you should do is seek medical attention for yourself or anyone who has been injured. If there’s any chance that you might have suffered an injury, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. If your injuries seem minor or you feel fine, get checked to rule out any potential damage, like internal bleeding.
Report to the Local Police Department
Making a report of the accident will help you understand what happened and may help the police find the offender if they try to avoid responsibility for their actions. Furthermore, your lawyer may need the police report to identify other liable parties, if there are any.
Take Witness Statements
Witness statements can be taken from those who witnessed the accident, even those involved in the accident. You should also take the name, phone numbers, and addresses of all witnesses if your lawyer wants to follow up on them.
Take Photos
Take photos of any damage caused by the collision, your injuries, and the accident scene. Make sure the images are of good quality so they can be used as evidence later on if needed during court proceedings regarding your case.
Consider Hiring a Lawyer
If you have been involved in an accident, contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Once your attorney examines the details of your case, they will be able to advise you on what to do next.
Let Our Garbage Truck Accident Attorney Handle Your Case
If you’re hurt in a collision with a garbage truck, we can explore your legal options. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine handles these cases and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
In the case of a Palm Coast garbage truck accident, you could be entitled to additional compensation beyond what the insurance company offers. Call us today to learn more about your legal rights.
We Can Help.
