Garbage trucks are a part of everyday life for most people. They come around once or twice a week and do their job of collecting garbage or recyclables, making your day a little easier by helping you clear rubbish from your home without you having to load it up yourself. But few people realize the danger and frequency of garbage truck accidents.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident caused by a commercial garbage truck or recycling truck, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. An experienced Sacramento garbage truck accident attorney can evaluate your case and understand your legal rights.
California Garbage Trucks
When compared to other states, California employs the highest number of workers in refuse and recyclable material collection—approximately 12,380 people—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means that there are a lot of trucks on the road and plenty of opportunities for accidents to occur.
California garbage trucks have special status and do not have to follow all basic driving rules. They are permitted to stop, move, and park within most bicycle lanes and can sit for long periods of time in parking spaces. These vehicles can park along the curve and in the roadway. In some cases, they are also permitted to park on the wrong side of the street. These rules can complicate determining what is acceptable behavior for garbage trucks and how they are going to move while in operation.
Despite these unique driving freedoms, garbage trucks still maintain a duty to drive with regard to the safety of others. Any violation of this duty may constitute negligent behavior. Your Sacramento garbage truck lawyer can help you determine if you have a valid claim for legal recovery.
How Do Garbage Truck Accidents Occur?
Garbage trucks are some of the most dangerous commercial vehicles on the road. A loaded garbage truck could weigh up to 50 tons, which means the damage could be substantial if impact occurs. There are a number of other factors that can contribute to a garbage truck accident. Here are some of the most common.
Unpredictable Stops
These vehicles can make frequent and unpredictable stops during a pick-up, making it difficult for other drivers to perform corrective driving maneuvers to avoid impact.
Operating Times
Garbage trucks often operate in the early morning hours when it is still dark in many places. This factor can impact visibility and is especially dangerous in neighborhoods and other areas that are not well-lit.
Distracted Driving
There are a lot of things to pay attention to when garbage truck drivers are moving from one pick-up point to another. Distractions like texting and driving, looking for something in the passenger seat or forgetting to turn on lights can all lead to serious accidents.
Poorly Maintained Trucks
Garbage trucks have a lot of moving parts, and poorly maintained vehicles could cause dangerous malfunctions that could have been caught with reasonable vehicle checks.
Improperly Trained Drivers
Driving a large commercial vehicle like a garbage truck is not the same as driving a passenger vehicle. Special training is required, including safety training. It is the responsibility of the company to properly train the driver and the driver’s responsibility to perform as instructed.
Defective Vehicle Parts
In some situations, defective parts, such as brakes, steering columns, hydraulics, and other important components of the vehicle, could be defective by the manufacturer. Their failure to function properly could result in injuries.
Failure to Yield
Bicyclists and pedestrians are at an even greater risk of damage from garbage trucks because their bodies are completely unprotected. Populated neighborhoods often have higher numbers of people sharing the roads with garbage trucks.
Fatigued Driving
Missing your cup of coffee is not an excuse for drowsy or fatigued driving. Whether early in the morning or late afternoon, fatigued driving can reduce reaction time, making accidents more likely.
Road Conditions
Poorly maintained roadways or missing traffic indicators can contribute to vehicle accidents of all kinds, including those involving garbage trucks.
Faulty Back-Up Alarms
It is difficult for big commercial vehicles to see what is behind them. If the backup signals are not working, it can be a big problem for everyone. Since 2010, new garbage trucks have been required to have backup cameras.
Who Is Liable in a Garbage Truck Accident?
It is important to accurately determine who is responsible for the garbage truck accident. Every accident has its own circumstances. The liable person may not always be the driver, or it could be a combination of parties. It is worth noting that the garbage truck could be operated by the city sanitation department, a private company, a sole proprietor, or an independent contractor, which could impact who you file a claim against.
Your Sacramento garbage truck accident lawyer can perform an independent investigation into the cause of the accident to gather evidence and determine who should be liable for your injuries. Depending on your situation, here are some of the parties who could potentially be held responsible:
- The driver of the garbage truck;
- The waste management company that employs the driver;
- The mechanic responsible for vehicle maintenance;
- The vehicle parts manufacturer;
- The person responsible for training employees; and
- The government municipality responsible for maintaining the roadways.
Commercial truck accidents are often more complex than standard passenger vehicle accidents. The injuries may be more severe, and there are likely multiple parties and insurance companies that will be involved. It is helpful to have an experienced Sacramento garbage truck accident lawyer to guide you through the process.
Contact a Sacramento Garbage Truck Accident Attorney
The award-winning team at the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., is here to help you through this difficult time. As a vehicle accident victim himself, Ali Yousefi understands what you are going through and will fight tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. While you focus on healing, we will focus on building a legal strategy that meets the needs of your specific circumstances. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation.