Jason Stephens | April 3, 2021 | Truck Accidents
Garbage trucks and dump trucks are common in traffic. Typically, drivers do not think twice about these large vehicles. But if you have been injured in a car accident involving a dump truck or garbage truck, you will understand just how massive these vehicles are.
Because of their size and weight, dump trucks and garbage trucks can cause huge amounts of damage. This is especially true if they are hauling a full load. Under these circumstances, a large truck may weigh up to ten times more than a standard passenger vehicle.
Collisions involving a garbage truck or dump truck can result in catastrophic injuries and damage. If you were hurt in a truck accident, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Typical Injuries from Truck Accidents
Victims of automobile collisions often suffer fractures, whiplash, and other severe injuries. Whiplash is especially common in the case of rear-end accidents. When a rear-end collision involves a large vehicle, the likelihood of injuries increases.
Drivers that collide with a fully loaded dump truck or garbage truck may sustain significant or catastrophic damages. For instance, they may suffer from traumatic brain injuries, crushing injuries, loss of limb, or spinal injuries.
Large truck collisions make it more likely that the motorist in the smaller vehicle will lose control. In cases where a motorist loses control, there is a higher probability of rollover. This can endanger other drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians in the oncoming vehicle path.
Liability in Dump or Garbage Truck Collisions
Each traffic collision is unique. Determining legal liability is a complex process. If you have been involved in an accident with a dump truck or garbage truck, contact a qualified legal professional. A personal injury attorney can help you to determine who is likely to be liable for your accident.
For instance, if the truck driver was distracted, they may be at fault for the collision. Alternatively, a faulty or defective piece of machinery on the truck may have contributed to the accident. Determining fault in a dump truck or garbage truck accident requires expertise.
The cause of the accident can influence who is at fault. An experienced truck accident lawyer will examine all of the factors in your accident to help determine which party bears legal responsibility.
Financial Compensation Following a Garbage or Dump Truck Accident
Because each collision involves unique circumstances, the type and amount of compensation will differ from accident to accident. But a personal injury attorney with adequate experience can fight hard to secure the maximum amount of financial recovery in your case.
If you hope to secure compensation following a garbage or dump truck accident, call an experienced legal professional. It is best to secure the services of a lawyer with plenty of experience in winning truck accident cases.
Some examples of the types of compensation secured in truck accident injury cases include:
Medical Bill Reimbursement
The most common type of financial recovery in a personal injury case is medical bill reimbursement.
Medical bills may include any of the following:
- Hospitalization costs
- Prescription medication expenses
- The price of rehabilitation
- Costs from diagnostic testing
When someone else’s negligence resulted in an injury to you, you should not bear responsibility for the associated damages. A skilled lawyer can help you to recover the costs of any necessary medical treatments or medications.
Property Damage
Because of the size and weight of large trucks, collisions are more likely to result in extensive property damage. For instance, a car that is struck by a garbage truck may experience massive damage to the body and frame.
In many cases, the smaller vehicle will be totaled following a crash with a dump or garbage truck crash. Because of the increased potential for property damage, commercial motor companies are required to hold more substantial insurance policies. This means that an accomplished truck accident attorney may seek recovery from the relevant trucking company’s insurance provider.
Lost Wages and Income
The physical injuries from a truck accident are only one element of the possible damages. If you have been seriously injured in a dump or garbage truck accident, you may have to miss work.
In fact, some accident victims may be out of work for weeks or months. When this happens, you should be compensated for the income that you lost. A personal injury attorney may be able to secure compensation for lost wages from the liable party.
Because each collision is unique, there are other types of financial recovery that you might be able to secure. To determine what types of compensation you are owed, contact a personal injury attorney.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is essentially a legal time limit. Victims are required to begin the process of seeking compensation before the statute of limitations has expired. If you try to file a claim after this time limit has passed, your case will probably be thrown out.
In most circumstances, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years. The time limit begins on the date of the collision. This is why it is so important to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer immediately following your accident or injury.
Contact a Qualified Truck Accident Lawyer
Some victims are hesitant to contact a personal injury attorney. However, filing a claim without legal representation is much less likely to result in an adequate recovery. A skilled lawyer will know the best ways to fight for the financial compensation that you are owed.
Personal injury attorneys have experience negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance providers want to minimize the amount of money that they pay. Therefore, they will do their best to undermine your claim and avoid responsibility.
A truck accident attorney with a proven track record can anticipate the negotiation strategies that insurance adjusters use. If you were hurt because of another person’s negligent driving, do not carry the burden of your injury alone. In order to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible, contact a skilled legal professional.
Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000