Unique Factors of Trash Truck Accidents in Florida

All of us have been stuck behind a garbage truck, and it’s not all that fun. The snails’ pace, the near impossibility of passing safely, the constant stops, and, of course, the wafting, putrid, smell are all enough to make a driver want to turn around and go home. 

As frustrating as this can be, it pales compared to the true dangers presented by these enormous vehicles. Our Florida truck accident lawyer knows that, while garbage truck accidents may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking about serious motor vehicle collisions, in reality, trash truck accidents are fairly common.

If you have been involved in an accident with a trash truck, especially if you’ve been injured, there has likely been extreme body damage to the vehicle and various personal injuries as well. After all, you have one huge multi-ton vehicle smashing violently into another multi-ton vehicle. Contact a Florida truck accident lawyer at Searcy Denney for help after a crash.

Common Causes of Florida Trash Truck Accidents

In many ways, garbage trucks are like any other big rig. However, some common differences include the fact that trash trucks are more prevalent; much more likely to be found in smaller, narrower, rural streets; make multiple stops and always have workers moving around the truck.

Accordingly, the most common accidents caused by trash trucks include:

• Driver Error. Despite the differences between garbage trucks and other commercial trucks, both types of trucks must follow the same set of standards set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Errors occur when the driver fails to abide by these rules. One of the leading causes of accidents in general today is distracted driving.
• Hazardous Road Conditions. Under normal circumstances, you might think of a crash that happens due to road conditions as an accident, but if a crash occurs because of potholes in the road, poor road design, inadequate warning signs, or other conditions that lead to a garbage truck accident, the local government may be at least partially responsible.
• Poorly Maintained Garbage Trucks. The owner of the garbage truck must keep the vehicles maintained according to regulations. This, of course, helps reduce accidents.

Contact a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer for More Information If You’ve Been Hurt in a Crash

Trash trucks are somewhat more dangerous than standard big trucks because they move in and out of crowded neighborhoods and have a number of people surrounding them while making multiple stops. If you have been involved in an accident with a trash truck, contact a Florida truck accident lawyer at Searcy Denney as soon as possible for help with your claim. 

We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless you recover. If you need our help, contact us online today.