Dump trucks weigh substantially more than normal passenger vehicles and sometimes carry overloaded or insecure cargo. With such substantial weight and dangerous cargo, dump trucks can cause catastrophic injuries or even death when they cause accidents with other motorists or pedestrians. If you suffered injuries in a dump truck accident, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to help you understand how an Evanston dump truck accident lawyer may help you with your case while you focus on your health.
Dump Trucks
A dump truck can reach a weight of 80,000 pounds, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Typically, these large commercial trucks carry materials around construction sites, however, oftentimes they have to go on the roadways in order to transport materials to and from a construction area. Additionally, the cargo they carry can include large blocks of concrete, rocks, hazardous materials, supplies, or other kinds of debris and waste from a construction site. There are several different types of dump trucks, but regardless of what kind of dump truck you encounter in an accident, you may suffer serious injuries.
Reasons for Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks are large, cumbersome, and bulky. Unique in not only their size but their shape, only skilled and experienced drivers should handle the responsibility of driving these powerful vehicles. If a driver is negligent, inexperienced, or improperly trained, they may cause catastrophic injuries or even death to others on the roadway. Some of the following are types of dump truck accident causes; however, every accident has its own set of facts and circumstances.
Driver Negligence
In some cases, the reason for a dump truck accident involves some form of driver negligence. Negligence can take many forms and can include hazardous driving, failing to follow road signs, speeding, driving while intoxicated, driving while fatigued, reckless driving, failing to properly secure cargo, failing to unload cargo properly at a construction site near a roadway, or failure to monitor the ongoing activity surrounding a truck, or distracted driving.
Construction Sites
Since dump trucks operate on or near construction sites, there are typically no accidents on these sites with other motorists or pedestrians. There are instances where construction sites are near roadways or highways, though. In these cases, when dump trucks are either delivering or moving materials to or from the construction site, they may have to either enter or exit traffic along with motorists and pedestrians. In these cases, if the driver of the dump truck does not remain vigilant, accidents can occur when they fail to yield to pedestrians or other motorists.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Another cause of dump truck accidents can involve the cargo or materials inside the dump truck. If a dump truck driver or workers loading the dump truck at the construction site either overload the dump truck or fail to secure the cargo or materials in a safe manner, it can result in serious injuries to other construction workers, motorists, and pedestrians. If any of the cargo spills from the dump truck, the truck itself can tip over, causing an even more catastrophic accident. Construction workers who load the truck with materials, as well as the dump truck drivers, should all take time to ensure that they are following appropriate safety protocols.
Dump Truck Maintenance
Dump trucks are vehicles that must undergo very rigorous maintenance in order to ensure security and safety, as well as avoid any potential mechanical problems or failures. It is the responsibility of the dump truck owner, the construction company, or any third party who uses a dump truck for commercial purposes to consistently inspect and maintain the dump truck according to the correct maintenance schedule. If any critical component or mechanical element of a dump truck fails, such as tires, brakes, or the steering wheel, it may cause tremendous damage not only to the vehicle but also to other motorists or pedestrians, if those mechanical elements were the cause of the accident.
Poor Weather Conditions
While no one can control the weather, in many cases, construction sites are still active with building even during poor weather conditions. As ice, snow, rain, or substantial winds blow through, a dump truck driver must have both experience and training regarding how best to navigate hazardous weather conditions. If a trucking company or construction company fails to actually train a dump truck driver regarding how to operate the dump truck in poor weather conditions, and an accident occurs, the construction or trucking company may ultimately have responsibility and liability for any injuries suffered.
For a free legal consultation with a Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Evanston, call (800) 794-0444
Claims Against the Government
Some construction sites near or on the roadways are part of state or city projects. If a dump truck driver works on a government contract, and an accident occurs, a victim may have the right to file a claim against the government entity. It is important to note that claims against a city or state government operate quite differently than those of civil matters, and the statute of limitations (deadlines to file a claim) are different as well.
Evanston Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Consider an Evanston Dump Truck Accident Lawyer
Dump truck drivers have a serious responsibility to ensure that they drive without negligence and ensure the safety of others on the roadways. Along with a dump truck driver’s responsibility to act with care as they operate this large vehicle, they must also always adhere to all traffic laws and federal and state regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you suffered injuries or if your loved one died due to a dump truck accident, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation. We may help you calculate the compensation owed to you and explain how an Evanston dump truck accident lawyer can protect your legal rights.
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