While car accidents between passenger vehicles can cause serious injuries to victims, accidents involving dump trucks can be more catastrophic. The size and weight of the trucks alone make them more dangerous to operate than other vehicles. For this reason, drivers are expected to adhere to safety guidelines to ensure the safety of other road users.
If you were injured in an accident involving a dump truck, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the fault party. A New York dump truck accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to manage this task on your behalf.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for a free case evaluation from a member of our team. We take many cases on a contingency-fee-basis with no up-front payments required.
Causes of Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks have unique features that may increase the risk of a crash. These features may include:
Height
Dump trucks may rest at a higher level off the ground than most trucks and other vehicles. The height level may put the truck at a higher risk of rolling over. Additionally, dump truck height may increase the risk of truck underride collisions, which can be fatal.
Weight
Dump trucks, particularly those used to haul construction materials and debris, carry heavy loads. Like any oversized vehicles, dump trucks may struggle to come to a sudden stop, and for this reason, they may find themselves in serious accidents.
Driver Visibility
Dump trucks have blind spots that make it hard for drivers to see what is behind the vehicle. This may put them at a greater risk of causing blind spot accidents than smaller vehicles.
Loose Materials
Dump trucks often carry loose, rocky, and unsecured contents that can become major hazards in case of a road crash. These materials may aggravate the severity of accidents, or they may spill due to a mechanical failure, causing an accident on their own.
Dump Truck Drivers Owe You a Duty of Care
Truck drivers, just like every other driver, are expected to exercise reasonable care while on the road to protect their safety as well as that of other road users. The duty is important because if you happen to be a victim of an accident caused by a driver’s failure to meet this obligation, the driver or their employer may be held liable for any resulting damage.
Additionally, a dump truck driver must adhere to the rules designed to prevent excessive fatigue while behind the wheel. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes hours-of-service limits on commercial motor vehicle drivers so that they do not drive longer than is reasonably safe to do so.
By failing to oblige to these rules and causing an accident, drivers may be held accountable for injuries and damages they cause.
Establishing liability in a dump truck accident can be difficult as multiple parties can be at fault. Responsibility may not only fall on the negligent driver, but it may also be on the driver’s employer, the owner, and or manufacturer of vehicle parts. Trucking companies may be held liable if they fail to:
- Maintain the dump truck and its parts
- Provide adequate training to drivers
- Hire competent and safe drivers
- Conduct thorough background checks on the drivers
- Check logbooks, monitor, and enforce limited working hours for the dump truck drivers
If you believe another party’s negligence caused your accident, call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation on your case with a member of our team.
New York Dump Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Damages in a Dump Truck Accident
After establishing liability, you may need to show the full impact of the accident on you. Depending on the nature of your case, the recoverable damage may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- And more
A New York dump truck accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can collect evidence of your damages when we represent you.
Wrongful Death Cases
Dump truck accidents can also be fatal. According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), there were 74 deaths caused by large truck accidents in New York State in 2018.
If your loved one lost their life in such an accident, please accept our condolences. Morelli Law Firm also handles wrongful death lawsuits, and we may be able to help you fight for damages in this type of case. Wrongful death damages may include funeral costs, pre-death medical care, and more.
Steps to Take After a Dump Truck Accident
If you have been injured in a dump truck accident, the first thing to do is seek prompt medical attention. Even if you think you are okay, it is important to seek medical evaluation and care as some of the injuries may not be detectable immediately.
While at the scene of the accident, if it is safe to do so, you may also want to:
- Contact the police and file a report with them
- Gather contact information and other details of the other party, including the company name and the insurer
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene
- Avoid discussing liability with the at-fault driver or the insurance company as your words may be used against you later on
- Write down a recollection of the accident, taking note of how events unfolded
Reach Out to Morelli Law Firm Today
At Morelli Law Firm, we are committed to pursuing justice for our clients. A New York dump truck accident lawyer from our firm may be able to manage all legal work on your behalf when we work together on your case.
Contact Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation on your case with a member of our team. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning that we do not get paid attorney fees unless and until we obtain a settlement offer or court award for your damages.