How Garbage Truck Accidents Are Different
Collisions with garbage trucks involve more elements than typical car crashes.
The legal case isn’t limited to you and the other driver.
These are some of the complicating factors in garbage truck accident cases:
- They involve the garbage hauling company.
- They involve the local government.
- Special state laws apply to trash haulers and how they operate.
- Special federal laws apply to garbage and other commercial trucks.
- Garbage truck drivers need to be specially trained.
- Garbage truck safety includes special considerations like frequent stops, blind spots and uneven loads.
- Garbage trucks can have mechanical failures different from other vehicles.
- Staffing shortages can lead to overworked drivers.
- Staffing shortages can lead to underqualified drivers.
When you’re hit by a garbage truck, you may have a legal claim for compensation against the driver’s employer, not just the driver.
If a truck maintenance or mechanical issue caused the accident, you could have a claim against maintenance companies or garbage truck manufacturers, too.
Like all personal injury cases, you’ll need to establish that negligence led to your injuries—negligence by the driver, negligence by the waste management company, and negligence by anyone else who had a responsibility to ensure safety of the garbage truck.
Get an experienced West Virginia garbage truck accident lawyer to dig into your case, uncover what happened, and uncover all your options for financial compensation.
How to Re-Secure Your Life with a Garbage Truck Accident Claim
A personal injury claim for a serious accident with a garbage truck can bring you…
- Payment for your medical costs
- Payment for long-term medical needs
- Payment for missed work
- Payment for your pain and suffering
- Payment for your property damage
To get the compensation you need—and protect your own well-being—this is what you should do right after the accident:
- Call the police and file a report
- Get medical help right away
- Get witness contact information (if your injuries allow it)
- Take pictures of the accident aftermath (if you can)
- Exchange insurance information with the garbage truck driver
- Avoid discussing reasons or details of the accident with the other driver
- Avoid discussing blame with the insurance company
- Go in later for follow-up medical care
- Talk to a skilled personal injury lawyer
Your injury lawyer can track down evidence you need for your claim, including special kinds of evidence for a garbage truck injury claim.
Your lawyer can seek out every party responsible and fight to maximize the compensation you get.
Your lawyer can take care of talking to insurance companies, waste disposal companies and any other groups that may be involved with this wreck, and their lawyers.
You only pay your injury lawyer when you win compensation yourself.
If a garbage truck ruined your day, and disrupted your life, let us help you pursue fair reimbursement and get your life back to normal.
Shaffer & You: Why Work with Us?
Everyday West Virginians can get legal help from one of the most established and respected law firms in the state: Shaffer & Shaffer. Our firm is over a century old and still going strong because we put the needs of our clients first—always.
Have a Question about Personal Injury Claims?
After a life-altering accident, you’re understandably upset, confused and full of questions. To help you get a sense of what’s next, we’ve prepared answers to common questions about personal injury claims and other legal cases.
Injury FAQs »
