If you have been injured in a garbage truck accident in Houston, contact truck accident attorney Greg Baumgartner at (281) 893-0760 to text us on the form below to get a free consultation about your rights and options for getting the compensation you deserve.
We have been winning huge settlements in injury garbage truck wrecks in Houston for over three decades. We promise you that if we take your case, we will only get paid if you collect money! Call the leading dump or Houston garbage truck accident lawyer at (281) 893-0760.
Were You Injured in an Accident with a Garbage Truck?
Garbage trucks, with their large blind spots and frequent stops, pose unique risks on Houston’s busy streets. Accidents involving these vehicles often result in serious injuries, causing distress and upheaval in the lives of victims. However, facing these challenges alone isn’t necessary. Harris County has a large number of garbage trucks in our neighborhoods daily. If you were injured in an accident with a garbage truck, our Houston garbage truck accident attorney can assist in the following:
Navigating the intricate legal process
Gathering evidence to support your claim
Negotiating with insurance companies
Seeking deserved compensation
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. However, holding them accountable is no easy task, and that’s where an experienced garbage truck accident lawyer comes into play. We will provide the legal expertise needed to handle these complex cases and ensure our clients get the justice they deserve.
Unique Factors Contributing to Garbage Truck Accidents
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 both garbage truck drivers, trucks, pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
Residential areas represent another major obstacle. The frequent stops garbage trucks make to collect waste increases the risk of collisions, particularly when coupled with the vehicle’s large blind spots. Furthermore, the heavy weight of these vehicles complicates their maneuverability, further contributing to accidents. Driver behavior, such as inattention or fatigue from long hours, also plays a significant role in causing such accidents.
Waste removal is a big job, especially in a city the size of Houston. Managing waste is an important job and one that is also dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector jobs are in the top ten most dangerous jobs in the country. While the job is hazardous to workers, it also poses a danger to the public. When an accident happens involving a garbage or recycling truck, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic.
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. 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.
Common Injuries Resulting from Garbage Truck Accidents
Severe injuries often befall the occupants of smaller vehicles due to the size and weight disparity between garbage trucks, commercial vehicles, and passenger vehicles, especially in garbage truck crashes. Common injuries include catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fractures. The severity of these injuries often leads to long recoveries and expensive rehabilitation.
Owing to the heavy weight of these vehicles, 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, leading to lost wages. In a single year, there were over 1,400 injuries and 107 fatalities in the U.S. involving garbage trucks, underscoring the considerable risks associated with these accidents.
Some of the main Houston area waste management companies are:
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 the majority of their roadway miles in neighborhoods, the problems with visibility/blind spots are a real problem for Texas.
With each commercial vehicle comes unique rules and garbage trucks are no exception. If your loved one has been injured in a garbage truck accident, it is important that the attorney you select is familiar with the rules and regulations applicable to garbage trucks and drivers.
Accidents with Garbage Trucks are Usually Serious
Because of the weight of these large trucks, a crash is much more likely to injure the occupants of cars or pickups. Dump trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds; injury is five times more likely than a similar-speed crash with a car. Moreover, dump truck accidents and garbage truck drivers are often on a lower pay scale, leading to record collisions due to unsafe driving.
Compensation for Garbage Truck Accident Victims
Those who suffer in garbage truck accidents can seek compensation for their losses. This compensation may include costs such as:
Emergency room bills
Doctor visits
Surgeries
Physical therapy
Prescription drugs
Other ongoing care necessities
It also includes lost wages, not only those already lost but also expected future earnings that could be affected by the accident.
In addition to these direct economic losses, awards for pain and suffering and disability are considered. These are categorized under general 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 or companionship damages for the victim’s spouse or family.
How Injury Damages Are Calculated
The calculation of damages in garbage truck accident cases hinges on the case’s specific details, such as the severity of injuries, the accident’s impact on the victim’s life, and the accident’s circumstances. They are generally divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are calculated based on quantifiable losses like medical bills and lost income, while non-economic damages are assessed for subjective losses like pain and suffering. Lawyers play a crucial role in personal injury cases in accurately calculating and securing compensation for the victim. Awareness of the claim’s value is essential to avoid accepting low settlement offers from insurance companies.
Why Hire Truck Accident Attorney Greg Baumgartner for Your Crash With Garbage Truck
Having a seasoned and informed lawyer by your side is fundamental in the aftermath of a garbage truck accident lawsuit. Greg Baumgartner specializes in handling complex garbage truck accident cases, and his expertise can significantly influence the success of your case and the recovery of compensation.
Having a lawyer familiar with garbage truck operations and their drivers ensures that the applicable rules and regulations are effectively utilized in your favor. Garbage truck accident attorneys, like those at Baumgartner Law Firm, with over 35 years of expertise in commercial vehicle accident cases, are adept at investigating complex garbage truck accidents and securing favorable recoveries for our clients. Our truck crash case success is a testament to our dedication and expertise.
How We Will Help With Your Garbage Truck Accident Case
At Texas Truck Accident Lawyer, our experienced garbage truck accident attorney, is here to provide you with comprehensive assistance for your accident case.
When you choose our law firm, we will:
Work to Hold the At-fault Party Accountable
If you have been injured in a rear-end crash, it is crucial to establish liability. Our attorney has helped people hit from the rear for over 35 years. We can help you, too!
Fight to Maximize Your Compensation
Our team understands the impact a serious crash can have on your life, and we are dedicated to helping you recover the maximum compensation for your damages. Our attorneys will meticulously evaluate your case, assessing the extent of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other relevant factors to work so you receive the compensation you deserve.
Provide Personalized Legal Service
Every rear-ends collision case is unique, and we recognize that your specific circumstances require tailored legal help. Our team will take the time to understand the details of your case, listen to your concerns, and provide you with personalized guidance throughout the personal injury claim process.
Advocate for Your Rights
Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they often try to minimize the seriousness of your injuries and offer inadequate settlements. Our skilled legal team will stand by your side, advocating for your rights and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. We will fight to ensure that your injuries are taken seriously and that you receive fair compensation.
Free Consultation
Our personal injury lawyer offers a free consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have. This consultation allows us to evaluate the merits of your case and determine the best course of action moving forward.
To benefit from our comprehensive assistance in your injury claim, contact top-rated truck accident attorney Greg Baumgartner and let us get started on your injury case.
The drivers and the company are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which impose extra duties due to the vehicles’ professional driving status and size. Violations of the safety rules are often uncovered in a truck accident lawsuit.
Establishing Liability
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 multiple liable parties, such as:
The truck driver
The company
The vehicle owner
Manufacturers
Government entities
The relationship between the driver and the company and the classification of the driver as an independent contractor are significant factors in establishing liability.
Evidence used in establishing liability can include:
Police reports
Eyewitness statements
Video surveillance
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 limits commercial policies.
Negotiating Garbage Trucks Claims with Insurance Companies
In garbage truck accident cases, insurance companies hold substantial influence. Our expert garbage truck attorney negotiates with these companies to secure a fair settlement or amount that covers the victims’ medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Being patient in these negotiations is crucial as insurance companies often start with low offers, requiring victims to persevere for full compensation. Fortunately, the major insurance carriers for the industry know us and know we will not accept a low settlement offer.
Insurance companies frequently aim to reduce settlements, necessitating representation by lawyers experienced in negotiating fair settlements for the victims. We document all communications and settlement offers with the insurance company in writing. These documents serve as vital evidence for legal review and aid in timely claim filing.
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. Promptly an official accident report initiating a claim is vital as waiting can result in losing critical evidence, significantly affecting the chances of receiving fair compensation.
There are exceptions to the standard statute of limitations, such as:
Tolling of the period for minors until they turn 18
Pauses during the victim’s mental incapacitation
Exclusions of the periods when the at-fault party is out of state
You must speak with a lawyer to verify if any exceptions may apply to your case, ensuring you do not miss the opportunity to seek justice.
Why Hire a Top-Rated Houston Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer?
In the wake of a garbage truck accident, the presence of a top-rated Houston garbage truck accident lawyer can make a substantial difference. They possess expertise in navigating complex legal processes specific to Texas laws and regulations. With over 35 years of experience, Baumgartner Law Firm is the go-to law firm for collisions with a garbage truck.
Houston attorneys offer strategic advantages in the trial phase with insights into local jurisdictions, judges, and potential juries. They protect clients’ rights by ensuring fair fault assessments in cases of partial responsibility. By offering more personal and direct services, they provide a crucial benefit in the potentially jarring aftermath of an accident. Furthermore, legal representation on a contingency fee basis ensures accessible legal aid for victims, charging no fees until a favorable outcome is achieved. To get started, we offer a free consultation.
If you have been hit by a garbage truck and need an experienced garbage truck accident attorney- call our skilled truck accident lawyers for a consultation.
Contact us today to speak to Mr. Baumgartner about a Houston garbage truck accident. There is no obligation or cost for the consultation at (281) 893-0760.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hiring a 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.
How do I get a Houston lawyer for my accident with a garbage truck?
If you have been involved in a wreck with a garbage truck, 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 these rules by heart and will use them to prove your case and win fair compensation.
What happens if you get hit by a garbage truck?
If you are hit by a garbage truck, call 911 immediately and file a report with the authorities. Take photos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene from different angles to document the extent of your serious injuries and damage.
Why are garbage truck accidents particularly dangerous?
Garbage truck accidents are particularly dangerous due to their large blind spots, frequent stops, and heavy weight, which can lead to severe injuries and even fatalities.
How is liability established in a garbage truck accident case?
Liability in a garbage truck accident case is established through a thorough investigation to gather evidence and analyze relevant laws and regulations, which may involve multiple parties. We know how to investigate and win your case because we have been doing that for over 35 years.