Large dump and garbage trucks are a common sight throughout the Bronx. As the trucks transport materials or remove trash from businesses and homes, they share city streets with other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Such trucks’ size and weight can cause other catastrophic injuries and possible death in a tragic accident. If a dump or garbage truck driver is responsible for your harm or that of a loved one, you may want to contact a Bronx truck accident lawyer today.
Truck Negligence: Mechanical Issues
Dump and garbage truck drivers must hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate such a vehicle. Both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) require drivers of heavy-weight vehicles to conduct pre-trip inspections.
The inspection should include the following:
- Horn
- Tires
- Brakes
- Steering mechanism
- Rear vision mirrors
- Windshield wipers
- Lighting devices, including signal lights
- Wheels and rims
A driver who skips this important start may cause an accident that was likely preventable—had the driver used care. Identifying and repairing or replacing a broken or worn device may cost the company time, yet failure to do so can cost accident victims everything.
Driver Negligence: Dangerous Actions Behind the Wheel
In addition to mechanical issues, driver choices and behaviors behind the wheel can cause them to lose control of their truck. For most drivers, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 percent or higher is the standard for a charge of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher standard of 0.04 percent or higher BAC.
According to the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHSTA), a decline in visual function can begin with a BAC of just 0.02 percent. The impaired judgment makes it difficult for even the most qualified driver to stop in time to prevent a collision.
Additional driver behaviors that can contribute to a serious crash include:
- Falling asleep behind the wheel: Early and late-night shifts can cause drivers to become drowsy while driving, either due to a lack of rest or an undiagnosed sleep disorder.
- Aggressive driving: New York City traffic jams can cause short tempers as drivers attempt to complete their routes. Speeding or failing to share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians sometimes has deadly consequences.
- Distracted driving: While using a cellphone is against regulations, some drivers may violate the rules by sending or reading a text message. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), distracted driving involves any action that removes your eyes from the road, hands from the wheel, and mind from driving. In addition to texting, distracted driving can include applying makeup, reaching for items and even interacting with others in the vehicle or on the road.
No matter how your accident occurred, never accept blame for the collision. Refrain from apologizing, as others may interpret it as an admission of guilt. Accept medical attention and consider contacting a Bronx truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Dump Truck and Garbage Truck Accident Injuries
A fully loaded dump truck or garbage truck can add significant weight to an already heavy vehicle. The delayed stopping time can cause a rear-end collision, a side-impact crash, a bicycle crash, or a pedestrian accident.
From broken bones to a devastating traumatic brain injury, these types of injuries can forever change a victim and their independence. Broken bones, disrupted brain function, or a spinal cord injury can limit their ability to perform important daily tasks, such as bathing.
Caring for a loved one with a catastrophic injury—like a spinal cord injury—can cost millions of dollars throughout the patient’s lifetime. Home modifications and other needs can cause you significant financial stress.
Pursuing a civil case against the responsible party could help with these costs so that you or your loved one do not have to worry about paying for ongoing care. Consider hiring a Bronx truck accident lawyer to help ensure you have the best chance possible for your case.
New York law and how it applies to your case is best left in the hands of a licensed, professional attorney. They can defend your right to compensation for all your damages. No matter the outcome of your case, having someone on your side can be reassuring during one of the most challenging times of your life.
Fighting for Compensation for Your Truck Accident Injuries
A Bronx truck accident lawyer must review the details of your accident to determine liability. Negligence may apply to the driver, the dump or garbage truck company, other entities, or a combination of liable parties.
Once a lawyer finishes their investigation and identifies those responsible for your harm, they can then proceed with negotiations for a fair settlement. While most Bronx truck accident claims settle without going to trial, there is a chance that your case may go before a jury.
Conveying the true financial, emotional, psychological, and physical harm of the accident to others is not always easy. Securing a Bronx truck accident lawyer to represent you can help protect you from reliving your accident. A lawyer with trial experience could present your case to a jury or judge on your behalf.
Insurance adjusters are often eager to settle accident claims quickly, and for the least amount of compensation possible. Hiring a lawyer who is familiar with insurance company tactics can be invaluable for your case.
Each Bronx truck accident case is different. There is no crystal ball for predicting the outcome of your case. A lawyer dedicated to your case will most likely fight for the following types of compensation:
Your medical bills. From transport to the hospital to all fees related to your immediate medical care, compensation is possible and worth pursuing. No one should pay out-of-pocket for expenses that are the result of no fault of their own.
Costs can continue beyond your initial hospital stay, with such continuous care needs as:
- Prescription medication
- Physical and other types of therapies
- Rehabilitation
- Medical equipment
- Skilled nursing care for a loved one
Some victims may need to relearn basic skills, like dressing and fixing a meal. When the victim is a loved one, watching them change in personality due to their injury is heartbreaking. The knowledge that the accident caused such harm was likely preventable can leave you feeling angry and upset.
You or your loved one deserve quality care for your dump and garbage truck injuries. To receive such care, it is important to fight for the best possible outcome for your case.
Your lost wages. Missing time from work can put you behind on your monthly bills as your medical bills continue to mount. The financial stress you experience is not fair.
Your loss of potential future earnings: Your injuries may prevent you from returning to your career. The income lost due to your tragic accident is yet another type of damage your lawyer may want to pursue.
Pain and suffering
Likely, your life will never return to the same routine as before the accident. The mental anguish you suffer demands accountability from those responsible for causing it.
An insurance company may fight your claim, and the driver may deny fault for the accident. A variety of challenges may occur as you pursue compensation for your damages.
A lawyer has the knowledge necessary to take on tough insurance adjusters and insurance company lawyers. Any attempt to take on such opponents alone can cause you additional stress that you do not need.
How a Bronx Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Hiring the right Bronx truck accident lawyer to represent you places your case in qualified hands. From phone calls to extensive paperwork, your lawyer can handle the small and large details of your case, so you do not have to. Rest is imperative during healing, and is something that does not occur with assertive insurance adjuster calls.
Referring all calls to your lawyer is a smart move for protecting your best interests. A time of pain and stress is no time to accept a settlement offer without legal representation. Once you accept any insurance settlement, your claim is technically closed. This leaves you no opportunity for pursuing legal action later—causing a severe problem should your medical condition worsen.
A lawyer can also help ensure that your lawsuit meets the deadlines set by the statute of limitations. The filing of a civil lawsuit must occur within the required time frame as set by state law. Failure to meet the deadline can result in no further legal options for possible compensation.
Lawyers understand the law as it applies to Bronx dump truck and garbage truck accidents. Your accident may involve a city-owned garbage truck that manages the household and nonprofit trash or a privately owned company responsible for restaurants and business trash.
No matter who caused your accident, contacting a Bronx truck accident lawyer without delay can be essential for your case. From insurance company negotiations to a possible trial, your lawyer would stand by your side and update you throughout your case.
Free Case Evaluations Help Determine if You Have a Bronx Truck Accident Case
Bronx truck accident cases take time as lawyers must review information, investigate, and build a case. Determining if you have a possible civil case is an important first step before moving forward with legal action. Most Bronx truck accident lawyers offer free case evaluations.
A Bronx truck accident attorney understands how traumatic accidents change victims’ lives. In cases involving a death, an attorney works with grieving families to pursue justice on behalf of their loved ones.
The pursuit of compensation for your damages is one you should not fight alone. Taking care of you and your family and allowing an attorney to fight on your behalf is worthy of careful consideration.
You Can Afford a Bronx Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Injuries
What too often prevents accident victims from contacting a lawyer is the fear they cannot afford to hire one. Bronx truck accident and wrongful death lawyers generally do not collect a fee unless and until they win a case. If they do not win, you do not generally need to pay the attorneys’ fees. Speak with a Bronx truck accident attorney to learn more about their fee structure.
Seeking a lawyer to help you with your claim and lawsuit can result in peace of mind following your tragic accident. The impact of the collision turns your world upside down in an instant, with long-lasting and sometimes permanent results.
Those responsible for your accident must face accountability. A civil claim and lawsuit can do just that, regardless of whether the liable parties face criminal charges. Fighting for financial compensation is your right when the accident is the result of someone else’s negligence.
Everyone has a responsibility to share streets and roadways in the Bronx safely. If an angry or speeding dump or garbage truck driver struck your vehicle or you as you crossed the street, give careful consideration to seeking legal assistance right away.
Dump and Garbage Truck Accidents Are Serious and Sometimes Life-Changing
There is sometimes no quick recovery from a traumatic dump or garbage truck accident. The injuries you or a loved one suffer or going through the loss of a close loved one is hard enough. The discovery that the accident was perhaps preventable can be especially upsetting.
A civil case takes time—something that is not on your side. The massive amount of medical attention you or a loved one needs can cause you delays in contacting an attorney. Missed time can result in missed legal opportunities. If you want to consider all your available options, contacting a Bronx truck accident lawyer for a free case evaluation soon after the accident can be vital for moving forward.
Time seems to stand still when your world comes to such an abrupt and tragic halt. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to poor dump or garbage truck maintenance or if a driver of such a truck was negligent, consider calling a Bronx truck accident attorney for a free case evaluation today.