Accidents involving garbage trucks may present unique challenges. Due to their size and weight, they pose a higher risk of potentially severe or even fatal harm if they collide with a pedestrian, cyclist, or other road users.
If a negligent garbage truck driver led to an accident in Los Angeles, California, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Additionally, multiple parties including the trucking company, driver, or a government entity may be held liable.
To help determine the cause of your crash and identify at-fault parties, consider seeking legal representation. Find out if you have a viable claim by calling Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free case evaluation.
Distracted Driving may Devastate Lives in a Heartbeat
A 2018 investigation by ProPublica into the private garbage collection industry highlights working conditions truck drivers may endure in New York under the rush to finish hundreds of stops during a shift. To complete their quota, “the need to move fast trumps traffic rules as often as not” according to ProPublica. Consequently, many accidents may be attributed to:
- Fatigued driving
- Inattentive drivers missing pedestrians, cyclists, or other road users
- Speeding
- Driving for longer than 14 hours
- Using a mobile phone
- Lane restriction violations
- Ignoring traffic enforcement regulations
- Failing to take legally required rest breaks
- Unreasonable work schedules
- Poorly maintained fleets
If a fleet operator is distracted due to fatigue or pressures from workloads, the results may lead to devastating crashes. The 2016 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts report said 4,400 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes. Of the reported cases, two percent involved garbage trucks.
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident with a garbage truck. Working with a Los Angeles participating in other distracted driving lawyers from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may help you navigate the legal claim process, determine the at-fault parties, and recover costs to provide for your past, present, and future needs.
Los Angeles Participating in Distracted Driving Lawyers at Your Side
Distracted driving is the primary cause of many accidents. If a person takes their attention away from driving even for a few seconds, people’s lives may change in the blink of an eye.
Heavy vehicles like garbage trucks may cause catastrophic life-long injuries, leaving victims facing a mountain of medical expenses while potentially being unable to work for long periods. Some common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash and other back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussion
- Loss of limbs
- Permanent scarring
- Broken bones
- Fractured bones
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to internal organs
Some victims may require extended hospitalization or surgeries to recover, along with months or years of rehabilitation. Some people may suffer emotionally as well, leading to a reduction in the quality of their lives or being able to continue with their current occupation.
Some accidents may also be fatal. If you have lost a loved one in this way, you may wish to consider a wrongful death lawsuit depending on the circumstances of the collision. Our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm understands that no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one, but we may be able to help you to hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions and pursue compensation you may be entitled to.
Recovering a Fair Settlement may Present Legal Challenges
A Los Angeles participating in other distracted driving lawyers may be able to help you recover a fair settlement you may be entitled to for your injuries and provide you with legal support to contend with legal experts the at-fault parties, such as the refuse company or government entity, may have access to. Their goal is more often than not to convince you to settle for as little money as possible.
One way to help ensure your settlement may be fair and reflects the full extent of the damage you have suffered is to have legal representation assist you with:
- Providing a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident
- Identifying who is responsible for your accident
- Gathering evidence to prove negligence
- Accurately estimating the current and future impact of your injuries and losses
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court
You should not be left with medical bills, funeral expenses, or other damages by yourself due to the negligence of another person. You may have other options. A garbage truck accident lawyer may be able to help you navigate the legal process and seek a fair settlement for injuries and other losses associated with the accident you may be entitled to.
Consider acting sooner rather than later so that evidence may be collected and preserved, and you file your claim in time. In Los Angeles, you typically have two years from the date of the incident or from where your injuries became apparent to initiate legal action according to CA Courts, unless a government agency is involved, in which case the limit may be closer to six months
For a free legal consultation with a Participating in Other Distracted Driving Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Legal Support When You Need It Most
The lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm advocate for the rights of our clients injured in garbage truck accidents. We may be able to help you recover compensation you may be entitled to for:
- 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
As many factors are involved in garbage truck accident litigation and the harm that ensues from a collision, we understand that you may be dealing with serious emotional harm in addition to your physical injuries. Let us help you seek fair compensation that may provide for your current and future needs.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident involving a garbage truck and would like to know more about how a Los Angeles participating in distracted driving lawyer may be able to help, call (800) 794-0444 and find out more about claiming the compensation with a free initial consultation. We work on a contingency-fee basis.
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