Garbage trucks are a common sight in daily life, constantly moving through neighborhoods to collect waste and recycling. Because they operate on all types of roads, accidents can happen anywhere. Weighing 16,000 to 18,000 pounds, these vehicles can cause severe and often fatal collisions. When a garbage truck crashes into a passenger car, the smaller vehicle usually suffers the most damage and may even be completely crushed.
If you or a loved one were severely injured due to a negligent garbage truck driver, reach out to a truck accident lawyer. A garbage truck accident lawyer in Fort Worth, TX, 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 Could Truck Collisions 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.
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 was once impossible to sue the government at any level, but in Texas, that changed in 1969 with the Texas Tort Claims Act. This law allows individuals or companies to sue governmental entities, though it places limits on compensation. For example, accidents involving city-owned motor vehicles are capped at $100,000 per person or $300,000 per incident.
Although the Act helps hold government agencies accountable, obtaining compensation can still be complex and challenging. The city is not automatically required to pay damages, so proving negligence is difficult. Because of this, working with an experienced commercial truck accident attorney is often essential.
Suing a governmental agency also involves strict notice and procedural requirements. In many cases, a notice must be filed within 180 days, giving individuals a limited window to take legal action. Consulting a Fort Worth garbage truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options when pursuing a claim 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 from The Texas Law Dog 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.
