Accidents Involving Garbage Trucks

Garbage trucks are a common sight in every city and town in the state and, unfortunately, accidents involving these large trucks and smaller vehicles and even pedestrians do happen. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a garbage truck, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

There are generally two types of waste disposal vehicles:

• Collection trucks – These are seen picking up garbage from house to house, either manually by workers or using an automated lift (or both) to dump trash into hydraulic compactors. They also lift and empty dumpsters belonging to businesses and housing complexes and may be classified as front-, side-, or rear-loaders.
• Garbage haulers – These look a bit like a dump truck and trailer combined and generally travel on highways to take garbage from residential and commercial areas to incinerators and remote landfills.

Due to the sheer size and velocity of garbage trucks, these accidents can result in serious injuries and even death. Some studies have also found that garbage trucks are more dangerous to bicyclists and pedestrians than any other type of vehicle on the road. This is due not only to their size, but also their multiple blind spots and regular presence on narrow streets and in high-traffic areas.

Here are some of the most common causes of accidents involving garbage trucks:

• Distraction – Common garbage trucks lack peripheral visibility, which can put pedestrians at risk, especially children and on narrow streets.
• Driver negligence – When shifts are long and many miles must be covered, garbage truck drivers can become fatigued and inattentive, which is especially dangerous on highways and in high-traffic areas.
• Poor vehicle maintenance – Routine maintenance is very important for garbage trucks, which may be the responsibility of a private company or the truck driver himself. While this can vary depending on the employer, at least one person or entity is legally responsible for maintaining the truck in safe operating condition and may be liable if poor maintenance results in an accident.
• Falling debris – If a garbage hauler is over-filled or its load is not properly secured, debris can be scattered at high speeds and come crashing down on other vehicles on the road.

Although we’ve seen a range of new safety features introduced for garbage trucks, such as automatic lift systems, rear-view warnings and cameras, and increased safety training for drivers, these accidents still occur with some frequency across the state.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a garbage truck, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.