Accidents involving dump trucks can have serious repercussions. Large blind spots on many dump trucks can make it difficult for those vehicles’ drivers, making it difficult to see other traffic, and many of them carry heavy loads and materials. Dump trucks are also raised higher off the grounds than most passenger vehicles. Serious and catastrophic injuries that permanently affect lives can be sustained by the accident victims hit by a dump truck. To understand more about dump truck accidents, let us first know what a dump truck is and why it is used.
What is a Dump truck?
Transporting loose materials like sand, coal, gravel, wood chips and waste is done with the help of a dump truck, usually referred to as a dumper truck. Several dump trucks are employed in the construction industry to move tonnes of material to work sites. Even though dump trucks come in many different sizes, they all share a common feature: their backs are typically open and can be tilted upward or downward or open to let the materials out.
Accident with a dump truck: its causes:
Due to their height compared to most other vehicles, dump trucks frequently collide with other cars, inflicting severe injuries or even fatalities to the people inside. In cases where the truck flips over, the driver is not restrained by a seat belt, or the truck slides down an embankment, dump truck drivers typically escape injuries.
The blind zones on these enormous trucks are substantially larger, and some of them, like the semi-cargo dump trucks, are seen as more dangerous. An imbalance could cause the truck to shift or possibly topple over because of the high gravity centre on the dumper compared to the low weight of the truck’s trailer.
Driver weariness is another significant factor in these incidents. They have been working long hours without getting enough sleep as a result. For drivers of heavy vehicles like dump trucks, driving when fatigued can be equally risky as driving while intoxicated. In addition, the driver’s inexperience also plays a major role in such accidents. Because fewer people are interested in this position, trucking companies may use less experienced drivers to cut expenses. Such drivers are more prone to act recklessly in risky circumstances.
If not driven or operated carefully, these vehicles can be dangerous. Apart from the driver’s negligence, other factors can frequently play a significant role in accidents involving these vehicles. Other factors may also include:
- Debris or garbage falls from the truck and collides with other vehicles.
- Garbage cans are falling on the road.
- Improper backing.
- Weather conditions.
- Unreliable machinery.
What to do if you get into a dump truck accident?
It can be challenging to determine who is to blame for a dump truck accident, given the variety of factors that might lead to one. The possibility of many parties being held accountable is common such as:
- The driver
- The truck owner
- Dispatching business
- The truck and its parts manufacturer
When to contact a dump truck attorney?
Be aware that the employee of the dump truck driver will likely be informed of the collision and will make an instant call to their insurance carrier. If you can, contact a dump truck attorney right away. Injury cases involving dump trucks necessitate the services and advice of a knowledgeable and experienced dump truck accident attorney.
Insurance companies have several tricks up their sleeves. With several pitfalls set up, having a dump truck accident attorney on your side can prevent you from saying the incorrect things that could be used against you later on during the claim process. Additionally, your truck accident lawyer can assist you in presenting your case so that you might be compensated for the non-economic losses you sustained. With knowledge of the laws, your attorney might be able to find infractions committed by the driver, the manager, the owning company, the customer, or others that work in your favour. The likelihood of establishing responsibility increases as more infractions are found; this can also substantially impact the amount of compensation awarded.
In addition to assisting, you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to, an expert dump truck accident attorney can determine who is responsible for your injuries and other damages.
Conclusion:
Dump truck collisions are always in the headlines because of their life-threatening consequences. If you have been in a dump truck accident and are still alive and conscious, call immediately to the hospital or ask for medical help. If you can move around, snap pictures, or, if possible, see if someone else is travelling with you can use your phone to take pictures of the scenario. These images must include:
- Pictures of the dump truck and all the other vehicles involved
- Pictures of the accident scene that depict the spot where the vehicles stopped after the collision
- Road skid marks and other tangible evidence
- The truck company’s name
- If possible, then your injuries
Greg Baumgartner handles truck accident lawsuits for victims of truck accidents in Texas. He is an expert Texas Truck Accident Lawyer with an exemplary track record.
