Garbage trucks provide a critical service to the community in Florida and all across the country. However, it does not change the fact that they are responsible for many auto accidents on our roads.
If garbage trucks did not exist to pick up waste and trash across Lakeland, Winter Haven, or any other city, we would be living in unsanitary conditions because our cities would be polluted. However, because of their sheer size and weight, garbage trucks can cause catastrophic injuries and deaths when they collide with other vehicles.
A recent crash involving a garbage and pick-up truck illustrated the dangers of such collisions.
Garbage Truck Accident in Florida
A recent fiery crash involving a garbage truck and pick-up truck in Green Cove Springs left one person dead and another injured. According to First Coast News, one person died and another suffered minor injuries in a crash that occurred on Russell Road near County Road 209.
The pick-up truck was engulfed in flames after a collision with a garbage truck. The former veered left, crossed the center divider line, and crashed into the garbage truck head-on. The operator of the pick-up truck died on the scene.
Causes of Garbage Truck Crashes
Unfortunately, some operators of garbage trucks forget about the dangers of operating a vehicle of that size and weight and end up causing truck accidents. There may be various causes of crashes involving garbage trucks:
- A garbage truck backing up unexpectedly or without signaling
- Malfunctioning back-up beepers
- Brake system failure
- Driving too fast or too slowly
- Adverse weather conditions
- Texting while driving or other forms of distracted driving
- Making a turn too quickly or too wide
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Overloaded or overweight truck
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Improperly loaded or secured garbage
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Improperly maintained vehicle
- Parking inappropriately when picking up trash
Liability in Garbage Truck Crashes
The garbage truck driver is not the only potentially liable party in a collision. In fact, you can maximize your monetary compensation by suing the trucker’s garbage company. Doing so requires you to prove that the operator of the truck was operating a truck within the scope of their duties when the crash occurred.
Thus, if the garbage trucker did something that violated the company policy or diverted from the usual route, their employer is likely to escape liability. However, a knowledgeable attorney may be able to challenge the garbage company’s defenses by collecting sufficient evidence and building a strong case for you.
If the garbage truck collision happened due to a defective part or component of the truck, you might be able to sue the automobile manufacturer. Even if the driver is the only at-fault party, you can recover damages through the trucker’s insurance company.
Liability in a garbage truck accident depends on how the collision occurred. For this reason, consult with a Winter Haven truck accident attorney to determine what caused the crash and pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact The Turnbull Firm to schedule a consultation by calling at 863-324-3500.
Resource:
firstcoastnews.com/article/traffic/fiery-crash-results-with-1-dead-in-green-cove-springs/77-d202dd45-3428-4dfc-9cd9-bf4c242dd57b
/covid-19-increased-risk-of-truck-accidents-due-to-the-suspension-of-hours-of-service-regulations/