How Garbage Trucks Can Cause Residential Crashes

While necessary, garbage trucks are known for causing serious accidents. There are many inherent factors about garbage trucks, poor actions of drivers, and oversights on the part of a trash company that can cause or contribute to the cause of an accident. It is vital that you consult with an experienced Round Rock truck accident lawyer as soon as possible

Garbage trucks are essential to community infrastructure. They keep clutter from accumulating and cities sanitary. Even though garbage trucks are crucial to public health and well-being, they can also be hazardous and even deadly. If you or someone you love was injured in a garbage truck accident you likely deserve monetary compensation for your losses.

The Causes and Risk Factors of Garbage Truck Accidents

Garbage trucks, as well as recycling trucks, are massive and weigh as much as 50 tons fully loaded. They are cumbersome and have blind spots. These large trucks give their operators poor visibility, and to make matters worse, they are jerky, frequently stop, and often need to back up. Due to the jobs, they must accomplish, garbage trucks can stop without any warning and are driven erratically. There is nothing inherently safe about garbage trucks. 

It is not unusual to see garbage trucks and sanitation workers in a hurry as they have lots of ground to cover in little time. However, none of these factors are excuses for injuring an innocent victim. A skilled Round Rock truck accident attorney can hold garbage truck drivers and their employers accountable for the injuries they cause.

Other reasons that make garbage truck accidents common include:

  • Garbage trucks often out very early in the morning when the streets are still dark
  • Garbage truck drivers are more likely to stop in the middle of the road to save time instead of pulling over to the curb 

How Garbage Truck Drivers and Their Employers Can Cause Accidents

The actions of those who drive garbage trucks can also raise the risk of an accident due to:

  • Drowsy driving
  • Drunk or otherwise intoxicated driving
  • Distracted driving such as using a cell phone or eating
  • Ignoring commercial driver regulations
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Breaking roadway rules
  • Ignoring pedestrian rights-of-way

Your Round Rock truck accident lawyer can help determine who should be held accountable when an accident occurs. Sometimes an accident is not entirely the fault of the garbage truck driver. The garbage truck company will usually be liable for the actions of their driver, but they can contribute to causing an accident by:

  • Hiring drivers with criminal driving records
  • Failing to properly train garbage truck drivers and operators
  • Failing to inspect and maintain its fleet
  • Paying for low-quality truck repairs
  • Failing to enforce hours of service regulations
  • Ignoring defective or dangerous vehicle parts

Contact an Experienced Round Rock Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Garbage truck accidents can leave injured individuals with severe pain and suffering, expensive medical bills, lost wages, and many other losses. If you are one of these individuals, you have the right to seek justice. Get the legal representation you need from an experienced Round Rock truck accident attorney at the Elissa I. Henry Law Firm, PLLC. Call (512) 766-4529 today or complete our online contact form.