Hit by a Trash Truck in Philadelphia or The Suburbs?
If you were driving, riding as a passenger, riding a bike, walking, or running and were injured by a garbage truck in Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs, or South Jersey, The Pearce Law Firm, a local law firm with specialized practice in truck accidents, can help. This could be from a garbage truck crashing into you, falling debris, or something else. Like 18-wheelers, trash trucks have large blind spots where they can’t see. Couple that with tired and distracted drivers, vehicles that can be poorly maintained, inexperienced sanitation workers, and the fact that they’re heavy (making stopping take longer), and you’ve created a recipe for trash trucks to be dangerous commercial vehicles on the road.
Garbage trucks vary in size and design. When empty, they typically weigh around 33,000 pounds, but when fully loaded, they can weigh as much as 51,000 pounds. Depending on the model, these trucks range in length from 23 feet to just over 28 feet. Despite their differences, one common characteristic of garbage trucks is their poor visibility and extensive blind spots around the vehicle. Their size and design make them capable of crushing passenger cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. Given the manner in which they operate (frequently maneuvering through tight streets, alleys, driveways, and sidewalks), other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists are often in danger when near garbage trucks, especially in residential areas. In Philadelphia, the Sanitation Division handles trash collection for residential buildings with six units or fewer, covering approximately 530,000 residential units. They use rear-load compactors, while commercial trash collectors also operate throughout the city.
Some Philadelphia Garbage Truck Accident Examples
Like any major city, Philadelphia has its share of severe and sometimes fatal garbage truck accidents. In April 2018, a garbage truck lost control in the Grays Ferry section of the city, colliding with 10 cars. The collision was so forceful that a station wagon ended up pushed onto the hood of another car. In Whitemarsh Township, just north of Philadelphia, a garbage truck flipped on its side, tragically crushing and killing a worker. In late 2017, a bicyclist was struck and killed by a garbage truck in the Center City District. Both the truck and the cyclist were traveling in the same direction when the driver made a right turn into the cyclist.
Common Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents Near Philadelphia
Although garbage trucks typically travel at slow speeds, they still pose significant risks. Some common factors contributing to accidents involving garbage trucks include:
- Massive blind spots around the truck.
- Drowsy or fatigued drivers.
- Distracted or inattentive drivers.
- Worn brakes and tires that affect stopping distance.
- Faulty or malfunctioning reverse gear alarms.
- Increased stopping distances due to the truck’s size.
- Objects falling from the truck during operation.
- Inexperienced drivers or a lack of proper training.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you were involved in an accident due to any of these factors or something else, it is in your best interest to consult with a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options and determine if you have a case.
It’s worth noting that all garbage trucks purchased by the City of Philadelphia after 2018 are required to have side guards to reduce pedestrian injuries and improve pedestrian safety.
Did you know that every year, the Philadelphia Department of Sanitation collects more than 610,000 tons of trash and 80,000 tons of recycling?
There Might Be More Than One Defendant
Identifying who is responsible for a garbage truck accident can be complicated. Liability could fall on the driver, the driver’s employer, the truck’s owner, or even a municipality. If you’ve been injured in a garbage truck accident, as an accident victim, you don’t want these parties pointing fingers at one another while you face mounting medical bills and lost wages, especially when no fault lies with you. Our experienced team of garbage truck accident attorneys can intervene and ensure that responsibility is properly assigned, often through the legal system if necessary. Our dedicated garbage truck accident lawyers will investigate the accident, prove negligence, and represent injured clients throughout the entire legal process.
Municipal Liability Limits in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, municipalities are subject to damage caps in motor vehicle accidents. According to Chapter 85, Title 42, Section 8553 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, damages arising from the same cause of action or event are capped at $500,000 in total. While this may not be sufficient to fully compensate for permanent or catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, it is the law. That’s why it’s critical to conduct a thorough investigation to identify other potential parties who may be held responsible in garbage truck accidents involving severe injuries or fatalities. Understanding how much compensation you may receive and what your case is worth requires careful evaluation of all liable parties and available insurance coverage.
The Statute of Limitations and Notice of Claim
If you or a family member was injured in a garbage truck accident involving the City of Philadelphia or another Pennsylvania municipality, the general rule is that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. However, if the vehicle involved is owned by the city or a municipality, you must also file a notice of personal injury claim within 180 days of the accident. This notice must be timely, specific, and properly filed to proceed with your case. Our qualified garbage truck accident attorneys will meet deadlines, protect your legal rights, and ensure you understand how long the case will take.
Street Sweeper Accidents in Philadelphia
Much like garbage trucks, street sweepers are massive, heavy vehicles equipped with complex machinery. As Philadelphia has expanded its mechanical street sweeping program across various neighborhoods, these large trucks have become a much more common sight. While they typically travel at very low speeds, street sweepers pose unique hazards on the road. Because their job requires them to constantly hug the curbs and bike lanes, they operate in extremely close proximity to pedestrians, cyclists, and parked cars. Their bulky design creates extensive blind spots for the street cleaner’s operator, and the loud noise and kicked-up dust from their rotating brushes can easily obscure the driver’s vision or mask the sound of an approaching vehicle.
If you are injured by a street sweeper, identifying the responsible party and recovering damages can be just as complicated as a trash truck crash. The sweeper may be operated by the Philadelphia Department of Sanitation, a neighboring municipality, or a private commercial contractor hired to clean a large parking lot or development. If a city-owned sweeper caused your injuries in Pennsylvania, the same strict 180-day notice of claim requirement and municipal damage caps apply. At The Pearce Law Firm, we know how to navigate these complex claims. Whether a street sweeper merged blindly into your car, struck you in a crosswalk, or caused a crash due to flying debris, our team will step in to conduct a thorough investigation and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our compassionate legal representation includes negotiating with insurance companies to maximize your recovery and pursue fair compensation for pain and suffering, future damages, and all medical expenses.
Contact us for a 100% free consultation. Call 24/7: (215) 557-8686
Contact Our Nearby Garbage Truck Accident Attorneys
Given the strict notice requirement and statute of limitations, it’s important to contact us as soon as possible after being injured in any garbage truck accident. Many accident victims wonder what they should do after an accident and who pays their medical bills while the case is pending. We offer free consultations and case reviews, and if we take on your case, you won’t owe any legal fees unless we secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
