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Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston

Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston

Over 40 Years of Winning Maximum Compensation for Truck Accident Victims — No Fee Unless We Win

If you were injured in a garbage truck accident in Houston, contact Houston truck accident attorney Greg Baumgartner at (281) 893-0760. As a Houston garbage truck accident lawyer, he can help you with your case. You can also fill out the form below. Get a free consultation to understand your rights. Learn how to receive the compensation you deserve.

For over four decades, our nationally recognized law firm has won huge settlements in injury garbage truck wrecks in Houston. As an experienced truck accident attorney, we promise that if we take your case, our firm will only get paid if you collect money! Call the leading dump or Houston garbage truck accident attorney at  (281) 893-0760.

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Were You Injured in an Accident with a Garbage Truck?

Garbage trucks have large blind spots on either side and frequently stop in neighborhoods. Garbage trucks are susceptible to accidents on highways and residential streets. We help victims of garbage truck accidents seek justice for their injuries.

If you were hurt in an accident with a garbage truck, call our experienced commercial vehicle accident attorneys for a free case evaluation. Here is how we can help you:

  • Navigating the intricate legal process
  • Gathering evidence to support your claim
  • Negotiating with insurance companies
  • After an accident, it’s important to get help from Houston garbage truck lawyers immediately. They can handle the specific issues and start investigating while the evidence is still fresh.

Dealing with the aftermath of such accidents, particularly when grappling with injuries and medical bills, can be daunting. Garbage truck operators, employers, or insurance companies may be liable for the damages. Holding them accountable is difficult, so an experienced garbage truck accident lawyer is important for help. We will offer the legal help needed to manage these complex cases. We want to make sure our clients get the justice they deserve. Hiring a skilled Houston truck accident attorney can secure fair compensation and support throughout the recovery process.

Why Hire Our Top-Rated Houston Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer?

Having an award-winning Houston truck accident lawyer by your side is fundamental in the aftermath of a garbage truck accident lawsuit. Greg Baumgartner specializes in handling garbage truck accidents and other commercial vehicle crash cases.  We are UNDEFEATED in commercial vehicle accident cases.

Houston garbage truck accident lawyer

Having a lawyer who knows garbage truck operations and their drivers ensures that the applicable rules and regulations are effectively utilized in your favor. Our garbage truck accident attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm have over 40 years of expertise in commercial vehicle accident cases.  Our proven track record is a testament to our dedication and expertise.

Free Consultations

Our personal injury lawyer offers a free consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have. This meeting helps us assess your situation and decide the best next steps.

Some Recent Garbage Truck Accident Case Results

$500,000

Our client injured his back when a garbage truck disregarded a traffic signal and crashed into his vehicle. After negotiations, the insurance company paid its policy limits to settle the claim.

$340,000

A garbage truck ran a red light and hit our client, hurting his leg. The defense blamed our client and said he ran the light. We obtained a video showing the defendant driver causing the crash, and our case settled for our full demand.

Unique Factors Contributing to Garbage Truck Accidents

Blind Spots

Garbage truck accidents differ significantly from other motor vehicle accidents. The unique design of garbage trucks, with elevated cabs and flat-nosed cabs, creates large blind spots. These blind spots extend up to 20 feet in front and the entire length of the truck on the right side, making turns particularly hazardous for a garbage truck driver. This lack of visibility can lead to accidents involving garbage truck drivers, trucks, pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.

Residential Routes of Garbage Trucks

Garbage trucks are ever-present in residential neighborhoods. The frequent stops they make to collect trash create a unique situation, given the large blind spots on these big trucks, and accidents with pedestrians and other drivers are common. Also, the weight of a garbage truck makes it harder to maneuver, which can also contribute to accidents.

Dangerous Job

Waste removal is a big job, especially in a city the size of Houston. Managing waste is an important job, but it is also dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector jobs are in the country’s top ten most dangerous jobs. While the job is hazardous to workers, it also harms the public. When an accident happens involving a garbage or recycling truck, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic.

The Size of the Truck

Garbage trucks are extremely large and wide. Because of their size and shape, it is difficult for drivers to see other vehicles and pedestrians. Although trucks have mirrors, there are still significant blind spots. These trucks are massive and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Improperly secured loads can lead to cargo spills, creating additional hazards such as blocking the road.  Because of their size, injuries are five times more likely to be serious than in a similar crash in a passenger vehicle. If a dump truck hits a pedestrian the injury could be fatal. The size and weight of these trucks also contribute to the likelihood of fatal accidents on busy roads and highways.

Our Houston truck accident lawyers have been recognized for excellence in truck accident litigation.

Types of Garbage Truck Accidents We Handle

Here are some of the garbage truck collisions we handle:

  • Rear-end collisions, for instance, can be caused by driver fatigue, distracted driving, or poor vehicle maintenance. These accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of the trucks involved.
  • Rollover accidents, another common type, can happen when a truck takes a turn too quickly or is improperly loaded, leading to catastrophic injuries.
  • Underride accidents are particularly deadly when a smaller vehicle slides under the truck’s rear. Understanding the type of accident and its causes is crucial in determining liability and seeking compensation.
  • Pedestrian accidents

An experienced truck accident attorney can help you navigate these complexities and build a strong case.

What a garbage truck accident lawyer can do for you

Common Injuries Resulting from Garbage Truck Accidents

Even minor collisions with garbage trucks can lead to severe whiplash. The impact of such an accident can lead to extensive medical treatment and time away from work.

Because of the size and weight of a garbage truck, severe injuries often happen to the occupants of the smaller cars. Some of the main injuries that we see include:

  • spinal cord injuries,
  • traumatic brain injuries,
  • fractures,
  • whiplash,
  • internal injuries,
  • broken bones, and more.

In a single year, there were over 1,400 injuries and 107 fatalities in the U.S. involving garbage trucks. 

Some of the Main Houston Area Waste Management Companies are:

  • Waste Management
  • Republic Services
  • Waste Cost Solutions
  • Progressive Waste Solutions
  • WCA Waste
  • AW Waste
  • Jet Waste Services

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Garbage trucks have real safety issues, including blind spots on the side and rear. Worse, big commercial vehicles travel our residential streets several times a week.

Many wrongful death truck accidents have occurred when children and even adults have been run over by waste trucks. Because garbage trucks spend most of their miles in neighborhoods, the problems with visibility/blind spots are a real problem for Texas.

Each commercial vehicle has its own set of rules, and garbage trucks are no exception. If your loved one has been injured in a garbage truck accident, the attorney you select must be familiar with the rules and regulations applicable to garbage trucks and drivers.

Compensation for Garbage Truck Accident Victims

compensation for a garbage truck accident

Those who are injured in garbage truck accidents where they are not at fault can seek compensation for their losses. This compensation may include economic damages, such as medical expenses:

  • Emergency room bills
  • Doctor visits
  • Surgeries
  • Physical therapy
  • Prescription drugs
  • Other ongoing care necessities

Economic damages also include lost wages, not only those already lost but also lost future earnings. Victims may need to explore legal options, including filing a personal injury lawsuit, to seek compensation for their damages.

Non-economic damages

In addition to these direct economic losses, non-economic damages, such as awards for pain and suffering and disability, need to be addressed. These are categorized under non-economic damages and include compensation for mental anguish and emotional distress. Additional damages that may be compensated include disfigurement, scarring, property damage, and loss of consortium.

How Our Houston Truck Accident Lawyers Calculate Damages

The calculation of damages in garbage truck accident cases depends on the specific details of your case, such as:

  • the severity of injuries,
  • the accident’s impact on your life, and
  • the accident’s circumstances. 

While many insurance companies use a multiplier method for calculating damages, at our law firm, we do not use that method. Instead, we rely upon our four decades of experience in handling hundreds of commercial vehicle accidents and collecting millions of dollars.

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Causes of Garbage Truck Wrecks

Some of the more common causes of garbage truck accidents include:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets the safety standards that apply to garbage trucks and their operators. Safety regulations include things like:

  • hours a driver works,
  • the condition of the truck,
  • safety training, and
  • Qualifications of drivers.

There are many causes of accidents involving garbage trucks. Once retained, we can start our investigation of your accident.

Violations of the safety rules are often uncovered in a truck accident lawsuit, helping to identify the negligence of a responsible party.

Establishing Liability for a Commercial Vehicle Crash

To establish liability in a garbage truck accident, an exhaustive investigation into the accident is required, involving evidence gathering and analysis of pertinent laws and regulations. Liability can involve:

  • The truck driver
  • The company

The relationship between the driver and the company and the driver’s classification as an independent contractor are significant factors in establishing liability.

Evidence used in establishing liability can include:

  • Police reports
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Video surveillance and dashcams
  • Expert testimony

The legal doctrine of vicarious liability may also apply, making the garbage truck company liable for any resulting injuries or actions of its employees. Even if victims are partially at fault, they may still recover compensation, with the amount being adjusted accordingly. Insurance coverage for garbage trucks is always higher with commercial insurance policies.

Read More: What You Need to Know About Proving Liability of Truck Wrecks

Evidence used in commercial truck accident cases

Negotiating Garbage Trucks Claims with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have substantial influence in garbage truck accident cases. Our experienced garbage truck lawyer helps companies reach fair settlements for victims. These settlements cover medical bills, lost income, pain, and other damages. Be patient during negotiations. Insurance companies often start with low offers. Victims should wait for full compensation. The insurance companies recognize us and understand we won’t accept low settlement offers.

Insurance companies frequently aim to reduce settlements, necessitating representation by lawyers experienced in negotiating fair settlements for the victims.

Time Limits for Filing a Garbage Truck Accident Claim

Generally, the statute of limitations in Texas allows two years from the date of the garbage truck accident to initiate a lawsuit. 

Types of Commercial Vehicle Crashes We Handle

Contact our experienced truck accident lawyers for help if a garbage truck has hit you. We can provide the legal representation you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to speak to Mr. Baumgartner about a garbage truck accident in Houston

There is no obligation or cost for the consultation at (281) 893-0760. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does hiring a top lawyer for my collision with a garbage truck cost?

We charge nothing up-front and only get paid out of any settlement or recovery. Unless you get money in your pocket, you pay us nothing. Our fees are earned on a contingency fee basis- we only get paid if we get you money. 

How do I get a good Houston lawyer for my accident with a garbage truck?

If you have been involved in a wreck with a garbage truck, research lawyers, then call (281) 893-0760 for a free case evaluation with an experienced Houston lawyer.

What is the law applicable to an accident with a garbage truck?

In addition to the traffic laws in Texas, driving a garbage truck requires a commercial driver’s license, and the company and driver must comply with federal safety regulations.

We know the federal regulations by heart. And will use evidence of regulatory violations to build a strong case for you. Our legal team has been doing that exact thing for more than 40 years.

What should you do if you get hit by a garbage truck?

The procedures that we recommend if you have been hit by a garbage truck and are injured include:

  • promptly report the accident,
  • seek medical assistance for everyone injured,
  • document your injuries and the vehicles,
  • exchange information with the other driver,
  • consult with a leading personal injury attorney,
  • and decline to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

How do we prove liability in a garbage truck accident case?

Investigation of the accident is the first step in establishing liability. Proving fault in Texas requires a showing that the other person was negligent. Negligence could be:

  • speeding,
  • failure to timely apply the brakes,
  • failure to yield the right of way,
  • changing lanes inappropriately,
  • violation of the safety regulations.
  • distracted driving and more.

A prompt investigation by an experienced attorney can go a long way toward establishing liability in an accident with a garbage truck.

Read More: Frequently Asked Truck Accident Questions

Call Our Top-Rated Houston Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys for Help

281-893-0760- NEVER A CHARGE FOR INITIAL INJURY CASE CONSULTATION

We help seriously injured accident victims in Houston, Harris County, and across Texas.

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Car Accident Lawyer in Houston, Near Me 

What Commercial Truck Drivers Know That You Don’t?

Call us to speak with an award-winning Texas Truck Accident Attorney

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