A dump truck is a specially designed commercial truck made to carry heavy loose materials in an open box. The truck operator will tilt the box once he or she reaches the drop site, leaving a pile of loose materials.
Because of the way the dump truck carries the materials and because of the significant weight of the truck, any type of accident with another motor vehicle could be devastating, causing significant property damage and injuries to the other driver and passengers.
If you or your loved ones suffered injuries after an accident with a dump truck that was not your fault, consider contacting us. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we will protect your right to receive a financial award. We understand how insurance companies try to treat victims in a case like this. Call us at (800) 794-0444 today for a free review of your case.
What to Do After a Dump Truck Crash
If you suffer an accident with a dump truck, you need to make sure everyone in your vehicle is safe. Assess everyone’s injuries and call emergency personnel. Both law enforcement officers and paramedics likely will respond to this type of accident.
If the dump truck hits more than one vehicle, if you are able, check on the health of others at the scene. Because of the way a dump truck carries its materials loosely in an open box, items may fly out of the box after the crash, which could injure pedestrians too.
Assessing the Situation
After the crash, you may want to take some notes about what happened, while the facts are still fresh in your mind. If your injuries prevent you from doing this, perhaps someone else in your vehicle or another bystander can help. Some items about the crash you should take note of include:
- Driver’s license number for and description of the dump truck driver
- License plate number of the dump truck
- Any company markings on the truck
- The condition of the dump truck driver, including if he or she appears to be under the influence of a substance
- Any noteworthy items regarding the condition of the truck, such as faulty tires
- Environmental items, including posted speed limit, road conditions, and weather conditions
You should not discuss fault with the other driver, nor should you admit fault to the law enforcement officials investigating the scene. You have the right to wait to answer questions from law enforcement until you have a Rockford dump truck accident lawyer by your side.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we can present the facts in the case to show that the dump truck driver caused the crash. Contact us to protect your right to receive compensation.
Types of Injuries in Dump Truck Crashes
Some of the injuries you may suffer after an accident with a dump truck include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries, including potential paralysis
- Broken bones
- Amputated limbs
- Ligament damage
- Loss of vision
- Loss of hearing
- Cuts and bruises
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
Additionally, you may suffer emotional trauma after an accident with a large dump truck, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleeplessness, or other mental conditions.
You should not have to face the expense of recovering from these injuries all by yourself. If you are the victim of negligence on the part of a dump truck driver or owner, you have the right to seek compensation for your emotional and physical injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Rockford, call (800) 794-0444
Proving Fault in a Dump Truck Accident
Truck drivers have to follow multiple standards and laws in the state of Illinois and federally. Some of the laws dump truck drivers must follow include:
- Adhering to weight limits for hauled material
- Having the correct operator’s license
- Obtaining permits to haul certain items
- Following maximum height and width limits for truck sizes
Should the truck driver or his or her employer be in violation of any of these regulations, law enforcement may issue a violation in relation to the accident. When police officers issue tickets to the driver, this strengthens your case of proving negligence on the part of the driver or the employer.
Reasons for Dump Truck Accidents
Because a dump truck is so large, drivers must have special training to handle this equipment safely, protecting the welfare of other drivers on the road. Some of the ways a dump truck accident could occur include:
- Improper certification for the driver
- Driving while tired
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Malfunctioning equipment on the truck
- Distracted driving
- Failing to obey traffic laws
- Driving recklessly
- Driving too fast for the road conditions
- Overloaded truck
- Improperly loaded truck, causing a weight shift
Sometimes, the driver of the truck was behaving in a negligent manner, leading to the accident. Other times, though, the owner of the dump truck or the driver’s employer may have contributed to the accident by failing to maintain the truck in the proper manner or through failing to ensure the driver had the proper training and licenses.
Rockford Dump Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
We Work on a Contingency-Fee Basis
If you choose to hire the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, understand that we work on a contingency-fee-basis. This means we do not require any payment up front to take the case. Instead, our fees come from the awarded amount once the case reaches a satisfactory settlement.
As Rockford dump truck accident lawyers, we understand how devastating this type of accident can be for the victims. It can change their lives forever, resulting in significant financial and medical problems.
We do not shy away from taking tough cases. If a dump truck driver caused your injuries in an accident, you should not have to pay for your medical bills and treatment yourself. Call at (800) 794-0444 as soon as possible for a free consultation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form