Dump trucks are used in a wide variety of purposes and in a number of different industries, including construction. These heavy vehicles come in a number of sizes, but all share a common factor of an open back to the truck that can be tipped upward to dump out the contents being carried.
Dump trucks are heavy and are often carrying anything from construction materials to dirt, gravel, sand, coal, wood chips, and even garbage. Regardless of what they are carrying, dump trucks have a legal weight requirement and dump truck drivers are required to follow all traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely. When they do not, accidents and injuries can occur.
If you have been injured in a dump truck accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
Causes of Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks are designed to carry loose materials. When these materials shift, they can cause the dump truck, which can weigh upwards of 65,000 pounds, to become unbalanced, resulting in the truck “fish-tailing” or tipping over, especially when it is driven at high speeds or around bends in the road.
Driver fatigue is another common cause of dump truck accidents. Drivers that work hours longer than is legally allowed are often sleep-deprived, and drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.
Driver inexperience can be linked to dump truck accidents as well. Companies that hire less experienced drivers are often trying to save on costs and unfortunately, a driver that is inexperienced or not fully trained is typically unaware of how to handle dangerous situations, putting themselves and others at-risk for serious and deadly injuries.
Finally, if a dump truck or any of its parts are designed and/or manufactured poorly, the designer, manufacturer, and anyone else involved in the chain of distribution of the defective equipment could be found liable for the damages that were caused by their product(s).
Who is Responsible for Dump Truck Accidents?
With the number of possible causes of dump truck accidents, it can be difficult to determine who might be responsible for the damages caused. In a dump truck accident, one or more parties may be liable, including:
- The dump truck driver
- The dump truck owner
- The trucking/construction company
- The truck/parts designer, manufacturer, and/or distributor
To determine who may be liable for your damages, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to review your case.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
