Dump Truck Accident Lawyers

If you are in an accident with a dump truck, you are more likely to suffer severe injuries than you would in a wreck with another passenger vehicle. The massive weight difference between a dump truck and a typical car can cause a horrific collision and devastating, long-term injuries.

When you are hit and injured in a dump truck crash, hiring the crash lawyers at Nix Patterson who will fight for you to receive economic justice is critical. Your attorneys will review the accident and determine if you have a viable case. If so, they will establish who was liable for the accident, analyze the crash scene, and assess your injuries and other losses to arrive at a fair case value.

Why Are Dump Trucks So Hazardous?

Dump trucks are large vehicles that are much heavier than regular passenger vehicles. These commercial vehicles play vital roles in construction and other industries, so many are on public roads daily. And, unlike 18-wheelers, dump trucks are more likely to be traveling on city streets, not just highways.

Dump trucks are often equipped with open-box beds with hinges in the back. A dump truck can weigh tens of thousands of pounds when fully loaded. Some dump trucks are even larger. If a dump truck hits your vehicle, you could be catastrophically injured. Dump truck accidents cause many serious injuries:

• Broken bones
• Crushed limbs
• Severe burns
• Organ damage
• Brain damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputation injuries

Such terrible injuries can be life-changing. Getting proper medical treatment and sufficient financial resources from the negligent party is essential to restore your life.

How Do Dump Truck Crashes Happen?

There are many ways you can get in a dump truck crash that can saddle you with life-altering injuries:

Reckless Driving

Many dump truck crashes happen because of speeding, going around turns too fast, or running red lights or stop signs. Dump trucks are heavy and take much longer to stop. Therefore, a truck driver speeding might not stop when the light goes red.

Blind Spot Crash

Dump trucks have significant blind spots to the sides and rear. A terrible crash can result if the driver does not pay careful attention when changing lanes or merging with other traffic.

Back-Up Accident

A common dump truck accident is where the truck goes in reverse, but the driver cannot see behind. Some accidents involve the truck backing over a worker. Unfortunately, dump trucks are involved in more backover fatalities than other commercial rigs. The dump truck driver must always rely on a spotter when backing up the rig in a work zone.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is always dangerous, and the risk escalates dramatically when it’s a tractor-trailer or dump truck driver. Alcohol impairs judgment and reflexes and dramatically increases the chances of commercial vehicle accidents. A drunk driver is also more likely to fall asleep while driving.

Lack of Experience

Driving a dump truck differs from a car or pick-up truck. Driving a large rig safely requires extensive training and experience. But some trucking companies take shortcuts during training to reduce overhead costs. Your attorney will review the trucker’s training to determine if he is actually qualified to drive a dump truck.

Additionally, some dump truck accidents may involve additional factors:

• Poorly secured cargo: Many dump trucks carry gravel in the bed. If the truck bed is not covered safely, debris may fly out and shower nearby vehicles. This may cause drivers to swerve and get into accidents.
• Mechanical problems: Many parts of a dump truck can fail and cause accidents. For example, a truck tire could blow out and cause the driver to careen into other vehicles. Because dump trucks are often on construction sites, they are more likely to run over nails or other sharp objects, leading to tire blowouts later.

How Does an Attorney Prove Liability in a Dump Truck Crash?

Severe injury accidents are carefully investigated by law enforcement. However, the police officers’ opinions may not be admitted at trial, depending on the situation. And oftentimes police officers are not as highly qualified to investigate wreck scenes as a professional accident reconstructionists.

Many accident victims think that if the police find the dump truck driver was at fault, that is the end of the matter. However, it is more complex than that. Responsibility for the dump truck accident must be proven by showing the driver was legally liable for the crash. Your attorney will download the truck’s blackbox data and may retain an accident reconstructionist to recreate the truck crash. This can be critical to explain to a jury how the accident happened.

If the driver was on the job when the accident occurred, the driver’s employer may be responsible for their employee’s actions according to the legal theory of respondeat superior. They also may be liable if they improperly hired a dangerous driver, did not maintain the truck according to state and federal regulations or did not adequately train the driver.

What Is a Dump Truck Crash Case Worth?

Every commercial vehicle accident is different. The real value of any case is whatever a jury is willing to award. However, generally speaking the value of a dump truck crash case depends on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your life going forward. Your attorney will engage with a team of medical professionals, economists, and other experts to determine what your case is worth.

Also, our lawyers will review recent similar settlements and verdicts in the area and make the appropriate demand of the insurance company. You may be entitled to substantial compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Your attorney also may assist you with obtaining medical care for serious injuries.

What a dump truck crash case is worth depends on who caused the wreck. If the driver was working at the time of the accident, a large commercial insurance policy might be available for additional compensation. Liability for the crash could fall on multiple parties, including:

• The driver
• The company that loaded the truck
• The company that employs the driver
• The dump truck manufacturer
• The company that maintains or repaired the truck
• The business that owns the truck

A common cause of dump truck crashes is drivers being paid per load. This increases the temptation to speed, text and drive, and work long hours without sleep. Your attorney will determine the factors that contributed to the accident and fight to hold the liable parties accountable.

What to Do After a Dump Truck Crash

These accidents almost always involve severe injury and property damage. First, stay at the accident scene and wait for law enforcement to arrive. Then, seek immediate medical attention to document your injuries. Take photos of the scene and your injuries if possible, then contact an attorney to determine if you have a case.

Contact a Nix Patterson Dump Truck Accident Lawyer

Do you think a dump truck driver was responsible for your injuries? Then, you should have your case reviewed by an attorney at Nix Patterson. Contact us today for a complimentary legal consultation.