A garbage truck’s size and weight, frequent breaking patterns, and hectic schedules may make them hazardous when they are involved in a road accident. They may crush cyclists, pedestrians, and smaller vehicles if they rush to cover shifts in time.
To file a claim for compensation in Los Angeles, California, injured parties may need to prove who was responsible for their accident. When building a case, a lawyer may be able to help collect evidence to prove which at-fault parties were negligent. In such cases, litigation may be complicated and require careful investigation or a thorough knowledge of federal and state laws.
Refuse collection companies may also have access to aggressive legal representation to protect their interests in the face of claims brought against them. It may seem like a daunting task, but if your injuries are severe, you may be able to seek compensation you may be entitled to with legal representation, allowing a lawyer to help shoulder this responsibility while you focus on your recovery.
Find out if you may file a claim for your Los Angeles aggressive driving accident by calling the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free case evaluation.
Aggressive Drivers May Pose a Significant Safety Hazard in Los Angeles
According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study from 2007, driver-related reasons made up 87 percent of the 141,000 total number of large truck-involved crashes. Further, three main critical events were coded in the data to reflect the primary causes of large trucks, such as refuse collection rigs:
- Running out of the travel lane, either into another lane or off the road.
- Vehicle loss of control due to traveling too fast for conditions, cargo shift, vehicle systems failure, poor road conditions, and other reasons.
- Colliding with the rear end of another vehicle in the truck’s travel lane.
Due to the demand for refuse collection services, garbage truck accidents are common. Their sheer size and weight make them a significant threat to pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.
Driver negligence, whether caused by the truck operator or other traffic, is a frequent cause of accidents involving garbage trucks due to:
- Blind spots on the garbage truck causing the driver not to see smaller vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or motorbikes when maneuvering
- Failure to use or faulty warning signals when backing up
- Speeding to meet tight pick-up schedules
- Erratic stops and starts to pick up refuse
- Unstable debris falling from the truck causing damage or an accident
- Aggressive lane changing to re-enter traffic
- Making a turn too quickly
Although many garbage truck drivers are good at controlling their rigs, accidents may still occur. The work is arduous, involves long shifts, and was the fifth leading job for fatal work injuries in America in 2018 according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Filing a Claim and the Laws That May Affect Your Right to Compensation
The statute of limitations is a time limit governing the ability to file a claim for compensation you may be entitled to if injured. A Los Angeles aggressive driving lawyer may only be able to help if you act before this time limit expires. In California, an injured person has two years from the date of the harm to file a lawsuit against any at-fault parties based on the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
As a general rule of thumb, consider acting sooner rather than later so your lawyer may access and preserve more definitive evidence to help build a strong case. Other ways in which he or she may be able to help include:
Identifying Who Is Responsible for Your Accident
There could be more than one party involved as well as the garbage truck driver, such as the refuse collection company or a third party contributing to the accident due to a defective vehicle part.
Gathering Evidence to Determine Fault
The ability to claim compensation you may be entitled to may depend on proving who is responsible for the accident. Gathering supporting evidence may be essential if building a case to determine who the negligent party or parties are.
Accurately Estimating the Full Extent of Your Injuries
A Los Angeles aggressive driving lawyer may be able to help accurately estimate the amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive. This may depend on the nature and scope of your injuries, how they potentially affect your everyday life and ability to work in the future, and the time it may take to recover from the accident.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
In cases resulting in serious injury, insurance companies may try to intervene and quickly close the case. They may offer a lump sum settlement that may seem generous, but is rarely an accurate amount to provide for the ongoing care a victim might need. Having determined beforehand the impact of the accident on your life, a lawyer may be able to advise you as to whether a settlement from the insurance company is fair and provides for your past, present, and future needs. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free initial consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Aggressive Driving Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Injury Lawyers Who Understand Your Potential Needs
The lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help you investigate the crash that caused your injuries in Los Angeles to determine who may be liable, and help you get the recovery you may be entitled to cover the costs incurred through the accident including:
- Current and ongoing medical bills
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Property damage
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Psychological trauma
- Wrongful death expenses such as funeral and burial costs
With so many different factors involved in garbage truck accident litigation and the severe harm that may result from a collision, consider seeking legal representation with the experience and resources to help navigate the settlement and claim process.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident involving a violation of traffic rules by a garbage truck and would like to know more about how a Los Angeles aggressive driving lawyer may be able to help, call (800) 794-0444. Our team works on a contingency-fee basis and may be ready to answer your questions and help you claim the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries and losses.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form