Dump trucks are weighty, tall, and powerful vehicles designed to transport heavy materials such as gravel, sand, and concrete. In an accident with a dump truck, a much smaller passenger car can end up under the truck, or crushed, with the driver and passengers potentially suffering from devastating or fatal injuries.
Accidents with a dump truck can differ from other truck and car accidents in that the dump truck load can get tipped out in an accident. This can cause further harm to car passengers and road users involved in any accidents with a dump truck. Technical malfunction during an accident can also potentially cause the dump truck to unload its cargo onto the road and on other cars.
If you have been in an accident with a negligent dump truck driver or company, consider contacting a Berwyn dump truck accident lawyer as soon as you are able, before speaking to any insurance companies or the truck company. Insurance companies may make offers of settlements quickly after an accident, but they are typically acting in their own interests and will try to keep any settlements low.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss the details of your case during a free consultation.
Responsibility in a Dump Truck Accident
If your damages far exceed any insurance coverage you may want to look at legal options for recovering any medical bills and other losses. In order to have a case for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, you will have to prove negligence and responsibility of the other party. This can be tricky when you have been in an accident with a dump truck.
While you might assume that a driver is automatically responsible as he was in charge of the vehicle, this is not necessarily the case, especially if he is an employee of a trucking or construction company. There are many ways in which the company employing the driver can also be, at least in part, responsible for any accidents.
In fact, even if the driver is a self-employed contractor, a company can still have overall liability. So, for example, the company could be responsible if:
- Trucks are not maintained regularly and comprehensively.
- The company hired untrained and unqualified drivers.
- The company is pressuring drivers to work long hours and skip rest periods.
There can be other ways in which a company may be, at least partially, responsible for an accident and therefore potentially liable for your damages.
Since dump trucks have many mechanical moving parts, a manufacturing defect could also contribute to any accidents, potentially making a manufacturer in part or wholly responsible.
Since it can be complicated to establish liability and negligence in a dump truck accident, it can be a good idea to consult with a Berwyn dump truck accident lawyer. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we can look at your case in detail and help you with holding any negligent parties to account. Call us today to speak to a member of our team about your accident and find out if you could receive compensation.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Accident Lawsuit
If you file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent parties in a dump truck accident, you could receive compensation. Any compensation will be specific to the severity of your injuries and damages and can be difficult to predict. Potentially, however, you could receive:
Property damage
Property damage is typically extensive in accidents with a dump truck and your car may be a total loss. You could be entitled to repair or replacement of a car and any other property you lost in the accident.
Medical bills
You can seek compensation for any medical costs resulting from a dump truck accident, including any medical devices you need and rehabilitation costs, for example, physical therapy. You may also receive compensation for travel costs to and from doctors or the hospital, and any future treatment costs relating to your accident injuries.
Loss of income and future earning capacity
If you have been in a devastating accident with a dump truck, you may not be able to go back to work for a while or may not be able to carry out your job at all anymore. You can seek compensation for any lost wages as a result of the accident. You may also get amounts for future earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous career fully.
Physical and emotional pain and suffering
The amount of compensation you could receive for any physical and emotional suffering due to injuries will depend on the severity of your injuries and how they negatively impact your life now, and potentially into the future.
Permanent disability
Getting into an accident with a dump truck can leave you permanently disabled to the extent that you will need assistance with daily tasks and housework. You can seek compensation for home help or health aide in this case.
Loss of enjoyment of life
If you were seriously injured in an accident with a dump truck, you may not be able to carry out your hobbies anymore or partake in any activities that you used to enjoy. You may get compensated for this loss of enjoyment.
Funeral costs
In a wrongful death case, you can also receive compensation for funeral costs for your loved one.
There can be additional compensation due to you in a personal injury or wrongful death case.
For a free legal consultation with a Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Berwyn, call (800) 794-0444
A Berwyn Dump Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Standing up against a negligent truck company, or other liable parties, can be a daunting and challenging prospect. In addition, in seeking compensation, many of the noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, are difficult to calculate, as they do not have any monetary value attached to them unlike lost wages or medical bills, for example. In this case, it can be helpful to have a Berwyn dump truck accident lawyer by your side who can fight for you and your right to compensation in court.
Acting quickly after an accident is important for preserving evidence and in order to interview witnesses. Do not delay and call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for your free consultation today at (800) 794-0444.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form