Garbage trucks perform a very important service in Austin and around the country. The absence of these trucks can mean the collapse of our rubbish collection and waste disposal systems. However, it is a fact that garbage trucks are involved in a number of serious and even fatal accidents in Austin. The potential for accidents and injuries with garbage trucks is much more than the risk of accidents involving tractor-trailers or semi trucks. That’s because while 18-wheelers are not allowed in residential neighborhoods, garbage trucks routinely travel neighborhoods during their trash collection activities.
Accidents involving a garbage truck may include collisions between a truck and motorcycle, a pedestrian or a motorcyclist. It’s important to remember that garbage trucks are not owned and operated by the city. Instead, these services are leased out to private contractors who own and operate these trucks. Therefore, liability in a garbage truck accident will not involve city officials but will rest on the private company that owns the garbage truck, and the driver.
Garbage truck accident injuries can depend on whether the victim was a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorist, the force of the accident and the speed of the two parties involved. A high-speed accident involving a garbage truck and a bicyclist may result in catastrophic injuries, like spinal cord fractures, brain injuries, or even death. However, because of the size of a garbage truck and the potential for great force during a collision, an accident involving a garbage truck and a smaller vehicle even at normal speeds can leave victims with serious injuries.
Typically, an Austin garbage truck accident lawyer will look at the severity of the victim’s injury and the extent of the truck driver or company’s negligence while determining damages. For instance, injuries that heal quickly and involve some negligence on the part of the motorist, pedestrian or bicyclist may result in reduced damages.
Typically, Austin garbage truck accident lawyers see that accidents are caused because of:
- Negligent driving;
- Failure to yield;
- Limited visibility;
- Limited maneuverability;
- Malfunctioning truck;
- Tire defects;
- Malfunctioning brakes;
- Garbage falling from the truck;
- Driver fatigue; and
- Impaired driving
Have you or a loved one been injured because of a garbage truck accident? Contact an Austin garbage truck accident attorney at Briggle & Polan, PLLC. We offer free consultations at your home, work, hospital or at our downtown office. Contact us by calling (512) 400-3278, or submit an inquiry through our online consultation form. We don’t charge a fee unless we obtain a settlement on your behalf.
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