In a city the size of Philadelphia, dump trucks are quite common on roadways. Private and governmental entities use them to haul materials like sand, gravel or asphalt for purposes of maintenance, construction, and even snow plowing. They have a hydraulically operated bed, and they’re open on the top. When the bed is lifted by the hydraulic system, the contents on the bed fall to the ground. If you’ve been hurt in a car or other type of accident with a dump truck – an experienced truck accident lawyer can help ensure you’re not fighting these big insurers alone.
In This Article:
Dump Truck Dangers, Dump Truck Accident Fatalities, Dump Truck Pedestrian Accidents, Common Causes, Common Injuries, Insurance Investigations, Contact Us For Help
Dump Truck Dangers
Depending on what it might be carrying, a fully loaded dump truck might weigh up to 65,000 pounds. They don’t exactly stop on a dime, and when roads are wet, they can need 50 percent more pavement than a passenger car to come to a complete stop. They have large blind spots, especially on the right side. They also have a high center of gravity. If cargo shifts, a dump truck can easily tip over and cause hazards on the road or even crash into other vehicles. You might notice that many dump trucks have either very high bumpers or no bumpers at all. That’s all for purposes of ground clearance. When a dump truck impacts with a passenger car, it can crush the car. There are even times when a passenger car will end up under the dump truck.
Three Recent Fatalities Involving Dump Trucks Near Philadelphia
Dump truck accidents aren’t limited to crashes involving other motor vehicles. In June of 2018, a dump truck making a right turn struck and killed a 40-year-old bicyclist. The driver of the truck never saw the victim. Police remarked that the bicyclist was in the large blind spot on the right side of the truck. In August of 2018, a 50-year-old man was struck and killed by a dump truck when he was exiting a SEPTA bus. Both accidents occurred in North Philadelphia. Garbage trucks are dump trucks too. In November of 2017, a 27-year-old bicyclist was killed when she was hit by a garbage truck while riding on the Spruce Street bicycle lane, in Center City, Philadelphia.
Dump Truck Accidents and Pedestrians
Because there are so many blind spots that surround dump trucks, and the fact that they often operate in high-traffic areas, accidents involving pedestrians are not uncommon. A dump truck struck and killed a pedestrian in Bucks County around 9 am Tuesday, November 13, 2018. The truck was driving in a parking lot trying to get out on State Road around the 2900 block when he allegedly hit a male walking in the lot. Police said that the driver remained at the scene and called for help and that he is being cooperative. Police also said that they do not suspect impaired or distracted driving. This pedestrian may have thought the driver saw him, the driver likely didn’t see the pedestrian at all. While it is an accident, the family of the pedestrian that was killed is entitled to compensation to aid in maintaining their lives after losing a loved one.
Commercial big rigs and dump trucks pose special risks to pedestrians because of their many blind spots and their sheer size. According to research by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the closer an object (person) is to the ground and the larger the vehicle, the less likely the object is to be seen by the driver. This means that in large vehicles where the driver sits high off the ground, it is that much more difficult to see a pedestrian walking at ground level.
Also, large vehicles are often five times heavier than the average vehicle which puts the driver of a care at substantially greater risk for serious injury. For a pedestrian, it’s even worse and there is no protection against the weight and impact of a vehicle like a dump truck. This creates the perfect storm of risk and danger when large trucks operate in high-pedestrian areas such as parking lots and crosswalks.
Common Causes of Dump Truck Accidents
Dump truck drivers are situated high above the pavement or dirt that they drive on. They might not see pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Of course, violations of traffic laws like running red lights or following another vehicle too closely can cause dump truck drivers to be involved in accidents, but there are other causes too. Inexperienced and unqualified drivers are certainly at higher risk of being in an accident. Some drivers consume alcohol, drugs, or both, and they’re a danger to everybody around them. Then, there are other state laws and federal safety regulations, especially in the context of tires and brakes. Violations of those laws and regulations can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
Common Injuries
The fact that dump truck drivers ride so high off of the ground means that they might walk away from a crash without a scratch, but the occupants of a passenger car might suffer devastating injuries. Here are some common dump truck injuries that victims suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries that may be mild, moderate or severe, and permanent.
- Traumatic spinal cord injuries that may result in partial or total paralysis and the need for lifelong care.
- Amputation as a result of the impact or out of medical necessity.
- Severe burns from fuel lines or tanks being torn or ruptured.
- Multiple fractures that could require surgery.
- Organ damage requiring surgery.
- Wrongful death as a result of fatal injuries.
The Insurer’s Investigation Into Your Dump Truck Accident
It’s not unusual for the insurer of a trucking company to have investigators at the scene of a serious accident before the damage is even cleaned up. They look for evidence that might be favorable to their insured people or entities rather than evidence that’s favorable to you. Then, in an effort to reduce its financial exposure, that insurer will start pointing its finger at you as being the partial cause of the accident. That’s why you need our experienced and aggressive truck accident team on your side of the crash as soon as possible.
Contact a Philadelphia Dump Truck Injury Lawyer
Don’t give any kind of a statement to the insurer of the dump truck driver who caused your accident. It will only try to use your own words against you in the future. Contact us first to arrange for a free consultation and case review. If your injuries prevent you from coming to our offices, we can meet with you at your home or hospital.
We’re thorough and meticulous in our investigations, and we’re experienced, aggressive and successful litigators. Contact us as soon as possible after being injured or losing a loved one in a dump truck or any other kind of truck accident. You’ll want us on your side right away.
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