What Happens If I Get Hurt In A Dump Truck Accident?
A dump truck is a type of commercial vehicle that is used to haul loose materials such as dirt, gravel, or rubble or waste. A dump truck uses a hydraulic system to allow the bed of the truck to tip backwards, dumping the load in the bed out of the back of the truck. Dump trucks come in several different types, including traditional dump trucks, semi-trailer or tractor-trailer dump trucks, and side dump trucks.
Dump trucks are capable of causing accidents in many of the same ways as other types of commercial trucks. But as they are designed to carry loose loads and tip them out of the back of the vehicle, dump trucks can also cause accidents in a few unique ways.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of an accident involving a dump truck, you need to understand the causes of these types of accidents and what your legal rights and options might be.
Causes of Dump Truck Accidents
Almost all dump truck accidents occur on a worksite when the dump truck is being loaded or is dropping off its load, or when the dump truck is traveling on the road. Most dump truck accidents involve negligence in operating the bed of the truck, especially when dumping materials without monitoring whether something or someone is behind the truck. Other causes of dump truck accidents include:
- Inexperienced truck drivers and operators, who may not know how to properly control the truck and its functions or not know what to do in the event of an emergency
- Fatigued driving and operation, which can result when drivers are forced to be on the road for many hours at a time or for days on end without proper rest and sleep
- A design or manufacturing defect in the truck or in a part of the truck, such as a defect in the braking system or in the hydraulics that lift and tip the bed
- Failure to properly maintain the dump truck, including deferring required maintenance
- Distracted driving and operation, such as due to cell phone use or talking to someone while the bed is in operation
- Carrying too heavy a load for the truck or not properly securing the load while on the move, such as ensuring the bed door is locked or a cover is placed over the load in the bed
- Negligent or reckless driving, including running stop lights and stop signs, speeding, failing to yield on turns, failing to signal before turns or changing lanes, and failing to check mirrors and blind spots for other vehicles or pedestrians
Dump truck accidents on the road can involve a driver losing control over the vehicle, the truck tipping over due to a loss of control or other emergency, or the truck spilling its load while on the move.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dump Truck Accident?
A dump truck accident can be the result of negligence or recklessness from a number of parties, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company, if it employs the truck driver and/or owns the truck when it suffers from negligent maintenance
- The construction company or construction site owner, if an accident results from failure to establish rules for dump truck operation
- The company responsible for loading the truck, if an accident results from an unsafe load
- The truck manufacturer or a part manufacturer, when an accident is caused by a design or manufacturing defect
Compensation for Dump Truck Accident Injuries
If you’ve been injured in a dump truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages that result from your injuries, such as the costs to treat your injuries, long-term care necessitated by your injuries, lost wages for missed work, lost earning capacity if you are disabled from your job or from working, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.
Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a truck accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of truck accidents in Perth Amboy, Newark, Linden, Paterson and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St. Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, and Trenton.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
