Garbage trucks are a part of our everyday lives. No matter where an individual works, lives, or plays, they are going to see these heavy vehicles everywhere around neighborhoods, emptying them of the waste and recycling. Accidents with garbage trucks can be severe and often fatal. These accidents can occur on any road in Fort Worth. There are no limits where a garbage truck accident could occur because they are everywhere to pick up trash. These trucks weigh anywhere from 16,000 to 18,000 pounds, which by no surprise, can lead to fatal accidents. When a collision occurs between a passenger vehicle and a garbage truck, the vehicle is usually going to bear the brunt of the impact, given its much smaller size. Many times, the smaller vehicle is completely crushed.
If you or a loved one were severely injured due to a negligent garbage truck driver, reach out to a skilled truck accident lawyer. A Fort Worth garbage truck accident lawyer could investigate the incident and help you seek compensation for your damages. You may be eligible to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How Truck Collisions Could Occur?
An accident with a municipal waste truck can happen anywhere. These sizeable trucks follow the same curves and streets that families walk and play on. Any kind of vehicle crash can be fatal, but a collision involving a garbage truck is even more likely to be lethal because of their sheer size and weight coupled with the fact that they often carry heavy hazardous loads.
Trash trucks are also challenged by keeping a center of balance. These vehicles are often top-heavy and making them prone to rolling over. Depending upon which type of cargo the truck is hauling, the vehicle has the potential of being flammable or hazardous, making for a disastrous combination.
Blind Spots
Garbage truck collisions come with their own set of challenges and complexities. A major challenge with waste removal trucks is that not all are equipped with backup cameras, making it difficult for drivers to see what is behind them when backing up. This could be dangerous because garbage trucks are often in residential neighborhoods, where small children play. Small children are completely invisible to garbage truck drivers without a backup camera.
Aside from lacking rear cameras, large waste removal trucks also have significant blind spots, obstructing views from the front and sides of the vehicle. Unlike other large vehicles, many garbage trucks are equipped with front or side-loading arms that add an extra few feet and obstruct the driver’s view.
Poor Weather Conditions
Poor weather conditions can be dangerous to all vehicles, but because of the size of the garbage trucks, they have even more time slowing down and braking. Their heavyweight does not allow them to maneuver quickly in an emergency.
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Filing a Claim Against the Government
When garbage is collected by the city, the injury claim has to be filed against the government. A city would be a government entity. Every city’s charter will have a few differences in filing deadlines, but fundamentally, most cities are the same. If an accident involves a city-owned garbage truck, taking legal action against either of those cities works in a vastly different manner than taking action against a private entity.
Texas Tort Claims Act
It used to be impossible to sue the government on any level, be it city, state, or federal. In Texas, that all changed in 1969 with the passage of the Texas Tort Claims Act by the state legislature. While this act allows a company or person to sue a governmental entity, there are also caps or limits on the amount of compensation that can be awarded. For example, there is a cap of $100,000 per person or $300,000 per incident in accidents involving city-owned motor vehicles.
While the Texas Tort Claims Act was a major step toward holding governmental agencies responsible for their actions, it can still be complex to obtain compensation and very hard to hold the city responsible for negligence. In other words, the city does not have to pay an individual anything. In order to have any reasonable chance of willing, they will need the help of an experienced commercial truck accident attorney.
Suing a governmental agency comes with challenges. However, an individual must abide by the strict notice and procedural requirements. When taking legal action, the window of opportunity is smaller for suing a city. Most city charters require a person taking legal action against a city to file a notice within 180 days. It is best to speak to a Fort Worth garbage truck accident lawyer to learn about your rights and options for filing a lawsuit against the government.
Fort Worth Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Seek Help From a Fort Worth Garbage Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident due to a negligent garbage truck driver, let an experienced attorney help your case. With the help of a Fort Worth garbage truck accident lawyer, you may be eligible to recover compensation for damages. Call today to schedule a consultation.
Call (817) 775-5364 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
