Kent Garbage Truck Accidents Lawyer
- Garbage Trucks Play an Important Role in Kent, WA
- Do Garbage Truck Accidents Happen Often in King County?
- What Are the Most Common Injuries in Garbage Truck Accidents?
- What Are the Common Causes of Kent Garbage Truck Accidents?
- Considerations After a Garbage Truck Accident in King County, WA?
- Get Herschensohn Law to Help with Your Kent Garbage Truck Accident
Every year, there are dozens of accidents involving garbage trucks. As garbage trucks are massive, built to be tough, and cause a lot of damage when they crash, an accident can really set you back financially. If you’ve been injured in a garbage truck accident, call a Kent trucking accident lawyer from our firm today to see whether you have grounds for a case.
Garbage trucks, also known as refuse trucks, are large vehicles used to collect and transport trash. They come in a variety of sizes, and some can hold up to 20 tons of waste.
Garbage trucks are also outfitted with a number of features that help them do their job effectively. This includes a hydraulic lift that helps to load and unload the waste and a compactor that helps to compress the waste so that it takes up less space.
While garbage trucks are essential for keeping our communities clean, they can also be dangerous. When a garbage truck accident occurs, it can cause serious injuries or even death.
Garbage truck accidents aren’t as common as other types of accidents, but they do happen. In fact, according to the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), there were 17 garbage truck accident deaths that took place over 22 days in 2019 alone.
This clearly shows that these accidents can be quite serious. Further, according to the United States Department of labor, in most garbage truck accidents, most of the casualties are the truck drivers themselves.
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Herschensohn Law worked by my side for almost four years when I was in an auto accident and were outstanding in everything they did! They went above and beyond to make my lawsuit as easy and stress free as possible for me while consistently showing genuine care for my wellbeing. They even recommended amazing health care professionals for my injuries! Anything/everything I may have been confused/concerned about was addressed/explained so I felt comfortable with each move made in my lawsuit. Professional, courteous and attentive are just a few words I would use to describe this law firm and although I hope to never be in a similar situation again - if I do, Herschensohn Law will be my first call!”
“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn't have had a better firm in my corner!”
“This was such a great experience.”
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
Garbage truck accidents often include injuries. Some common injuries include:
- Head injuries: These injuries may include concussions, skull fractures, and brain damage.
- Neck and back injuries: These injuries may include whiplash, herniated discs, and nerve damage.
- Chest injuries: Chest injuries may include broken ribs, internal bleeding, and punctured lungs.
- Abdominal injuries: These injuries may include organ damage, internal bleeding, and lacerations.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a garbage truck accident, it is vital to seek medical attention right away.
A personal injury lawyer can go over your legal options with you when you’re involved in an accident. Garbage truck accidents can be complex to understand, and it can be overwhelming to file for compensation alone. A personal injury attorney can help you to understand your rights and help you choose the appropriate legal path to take when moving forward.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to garbage truck accidents. Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver error: Garbage truck drivers may be distracted while driving. This can make it easy for them to make mistakes that lead to accidents.
- Poorly maintained trucks: Some garbage trucks aren’t well-maintained, and this can make them more likely to break down or have other problems that can cause accidents.
- Inexperienced drivers: Garbage truck drivers may be inexperienced, making it more likely that they will make accident-prone mistakes.
- Weather conditions: Garbage trucks may have difficulty operating in bad weather, and succumbing to poor road conditions can also make accidents more likely.
- Objects in the road: Garbage trucks may hit objects in the road, causing them to swerve, lose control, and crash.
- Driver fatigue: As garbage truck drivers work for long hours (estimated to be between 10-14 hours per shift), they may be fatigued, leading to accidents.
- Truck size: Garbage trucks are difficult to maneuver due to their size and the amount of waste they carry. Therefore, this makes it easy for garbage trucks to topple over.
- Blind spots: Due to a garbage truck’s large size, they can have a massive blind spot. This can make it hard for drivers to see other cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Garbage truck accidents can cause a number of serious injuries, as well as property damage. Getting a personal injury attorney after an accident is a prudent choice for anyone involved in a garbage truck accident.
If you are involved in a garbage truck accident, the first thing you should do is stay calm and assess the situation. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 immediately. Once emergency services and local authorities have been notified, you can start gathering information about the accident.
Take photos of the scene, get the contact information of any witnesses, and exchange insurance information with the other driver. As a precaution, you should only engage in these activities if you haven’t been injured. Your lawyer can help gather evidence if you are unable.
If the accident was caused by the other driver, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance company. If the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to file a claim against the driver personally.
An attorney can help you with your claim and explain your legal rights and options They can also remove you from the situation and let you recuperate while they work on your behalf. A personal injury attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, file a suit in court, and seek compensation to help with your medical expenses and other damages.
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
No one ever expects to be in an accident, and unfortunately, they happen every day. If you’ve been involved in a garbage truck accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain of what to do next. You don’t have to go through this alone.
At Herschensohn Law, we have extensive experience in helping people who’ve been injured in all types of accidents, including those involving garbage trucks. When you contact us, we can work with you to fight for suitable compensation. Call us today at (206) 588-4344 to schedule your free case evaluation with our team in Kent.
Our results speak for themselves
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.