Virginia garbage truck accident lawyers

What are causes of garbage truck accidents in Virginia?

In a recent year, 107 garbage/refuse trucks were involved in fatal crashes in the United States, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Garbage trucks accounted for 2.3 percent of all large trucks involved in fatal crashes. Several factors contribute to garbage truck accidents and the severity of the injuries they cause:

• Garbage trucks are large, bulky vehicles with large blind spots.
• They make frequent stops and turns to pick up refuse.
• Garbage trucks travel into narrow streets and neighborhoods where it is difficult to maneuver.
• Drivers of refuse trucks need to look out for other workers operating garbage pick-up mechanisms and may be distracted from watching the road ahead.
• The sheer size and weight of garbage trucks can lead to serious injuries in a collision with a passenger vehicle, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian.

Who can be held liable for garbage truck collisions?

Liability for garbage truck accident injuries will depend on who owns the garbage truck. Not all are owned or operated by the County. Some are owned and operated by private companies. If the garbage truck that hit you was owned by a private company, the driver and company may be liable for your injuries if the driver was negligent in some way. On the other hand, if the truck was owned by a government entity, you may not have a claim.

Filing a claim against a garbage truck driver or other government employee

State government employees who commit ordinary negligence while performing their job duties have immunity under the Virginia Tort Claims Act. Ordinary negligence includes driver errors such as failing to signal or failing to yield while making a turn. Your claim may be limited to the amount of governmental insurance, currently set at $100,000 in Virginia. You are only allowed to file a personal injury claim against a garbage truck driver employed by a government entity for more than $100,000 if the driver caused the accident through gross negligence – a complete lack of care.

How do you recover compensation for your losses?

After a serious collision with a garbage truck, it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced Virginia truck crash lawyer. Your best chance of recovering full compensation is to have an effective legal advocate in your corner. We can investigate your accident, collect and preserve evidence to support your case, help you file a claim, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for your rights in court if necessary.