Although garbage disposal vehicles are less common on freeways and other high-speed areas, they are frequently involved in crashes in urban areas around Columbus. Dump trucks are capable of causing colossal damage similar to semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles.
Many garbage truck accidents in Columbus are caused by driver error and inattention, particularly when backing out of a driveway or alley. If you were injured in this type of collision, call an experienced truck crash lawyer at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy. Our legal team can advise you on who could be held accountable for the traffic wreck and help you seek compensation for your losses.
Frequent Causes of Columbus Dump Truck Collisions
Due to the size of most garbage collection vehicles, drivers must take extra care to check their
blind spots and look out for smaller passenger cars. These kinds of collisions often occur when a careless dump truck operator fails to notice a slowing or stopped car in front of them, resulting in a
rear-ending.
Additionally, many dump truck accidents occur at intersections and other turning locations. Garbage disposal trucks take wide and sometimes unpredictable turns, which can result in
side-impact collisions with other vehicles when poorly executed.
Although it can be difficult to determine the exact error a trucker makes in handling these unwieldy vehicles, there are common fact patterns to look out for. A local attorney with experience handling garbage truck cases can investigate a crash site for evidence of the specific cause of the accident.
Common Injuries in Garbage Truck Collisions
Depending on the size of the vehicle, a dumpster truck traffic wreck could result in bodily harm ranging from mild to
severe. Similar to other large automotive impacts, a garbage truck collision can cause the following injuries:
Even injuries that are mild at first may have serious and costly effects down the road, so victims are advised to seek immediate medical advice after their traffic collision. Because the consequences can be so severe, it is important to enlist the help of a dedicated attorney early on in the recovery process after a dump truck accident.
Who is Liable for Garbage Truck Driver Accidents?
If garbage collection is done directly by the city, an injury claim for a dump truck collision would be filed against the city government. However, trash pickup is usually done by outside companies nowadays. In these cases, a skilled attorney could help an injured Columbus resident
file suit against one of several parties.
Truck Driver and Garbage Collection Company
The dump truck operator and their private employer are the most likely candidates to be held liable in a claim for
damages. Whether a victim pursues recovery in civil court or through insurance negotiations, the process will be similar to other tractor-trailer and semi-truck accident cases. However, a well-practiced lawyer could look for unique factors in establishing liability for a garbage truck crash. For instance, the width of the dump truck in question may be important if the vehicle was traveling on a road that was too narrow.
Dump Truck Maintenance and Mechanical Failures
Although rare, there are instances where a mechanical failure causes a garbage truck accident. If a crash is caused by a defect that the driver or company could not have reasonably known about or detected, such as a flat tire that occurs while driving over a pothole, liability may be difficult to determine.
However, liability damages are fairly straightforward for
mechanical defects that should have been detected through proper maintenance. If a garbage truck crash in Columbus was caused by a mechanical failure, it is best for injured parties to consult with a knowledgeable legal professional to determine who may be legally at-fault.
Consult a Columbus Attorney on Garbage Truck Accidents
Dump truck collisions can be just as devastating as any other traffic wreck involving large commercial vehicles. However, these cases are often uniquely complex depending on what company or entity is doing the garbage collection.
If you were injured in a garbage truck accident in Columbus, reach out to our local attorneys for supportive and experienced counsel. The legal team at
O’Connor, Acciani & Levy is well-versed in helping injured victims recover appropriate compensation for their losses.
Call today to learn how we could assist you.
