Seeking Recovery & Justice When Negligence Causes Garbage Truck Wrecks in Houston
Garbage trucks are ubiquitous on Houston’s roads. From Downtown, The Heights, and Montrose to Sugarland, Katy, and beyond, garbage trucks are practically unavoidable if you live or work in Houston, TX. As crucial as they are to waste collection and management, however, garbage trucks can also introduce some distinct hazards that bring the potential for serious accidents.
After any garbage truck crash in Houston, victims can discover more about their rights and recovery options below. To get claim-specific advice from an experienced legal professional, just contact a Houston garbage truck accident lawyer.
What Makes Garage Trucks Dangerous on Houston’s Roads?
Garbage trucks can be risky for many reasons related to their design, function, and role in collecting waste. Some of those risks, which may contribute to serious crashes, include:
- Garbage trucks’ large, boxy design and big blind spots
- Several moving parts, like lift arms, hoppers, and packer blades
- Routine stop-and-go movement in traffic, including sudden, unexpected stops
- High centers of balance, which may increase the chances of rollovers
These and the other risks of garbage trucks are far more likely to cause crashes in Houston when:
- The motorists who share the roads with garbage trucks are negligent, careless, or reckless behind the wheel.
- Garbage truck drivers are not properly trained, rested, or careful on the job.
- Garbage trucks are not properly maintained, or mechanical failures make garbage trucks difficult to control.
- The roads are unsafe due to maintenance failures, overly narrow lanes, debris in the roads, or other factors.
- Adverse weather impairs visibility and worsens road conditions.
With all that, it can be easier to see just why garbage trucks are involved in so many accidents in Houston, TX.
What Should I Do After a Garbage Truck Accident in Houston?
Call 911 and get emergency medical care ASAP if you have been hurt in the collision (for non-injury fender benders, call the non-emergency line for the Houston Police Department at (713) 884-3131).
It’s also important to get out of the way of traffic if you’re able to move, waiting in shoulder area, on a sidewalk, or another safe spot. From there, you can take the steps below to protect your rights — even if you’re not sure whether you have a claim or you don’t know who’s to blame for the garbage truck accident:
- Document the names, contact info, and driving/insurance info for others who were in the accident.
- Take pictures and record videos of the damage, vehicles, and accident scene.
- If there are any witnesses, record their names, contact info, and basic statements, writing down notes or recording videos with a cellphone.
- Be extremely careful about the statements you make, taking special caution to never admit fault, say “sorry,” or say anything about not being hurt.
- If you were the garbage truck operator, report the accident to your employer ASAP and comply with any other employer safety protocols to the best of your ability.
- See a doctor after you leave the scene to get treatment and official records for any injuries you suffered in the crash. Also, continue getting the medical care you need, following all doctors’ orders.
- Talk to a Houston garbage truck accident lawyer ASAP. You may not have very much time to file a legal claim, and an attorney can immediately start helping you do what’s necessary to protect your rights and position your claim for full, fair compensation.
When Should I Contact a Houston Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer?
Contact an attorney ASAP if you’re asking this question and you or a loved one has been hurt in a garbage truck wreck. You don’t have to pay anything — and you’re under no obligation to retain a lawyer — simply by reaching out to learn about a potential claim and get answers.
And the longer you wait, the more you may be at risk of:
- Running down or running out the statute of limitations on a potential claim
- Losing potential evidence or ground in a case
- Facing greater challenges when you do proceed
You can avoid that and start getting case-specific advice by contacting an experienced garbage truck accident attorney in Houston, TX.