Fort Myers Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer
Garbage trucks are a constant presence on Florida’s roads. We all depend on these waste management vehicles to haul away our trash. And while we may not give the actual garbage trucks a second thought, if you have been involved in an accident with one, you will likely come to have a new appreciation for just how dangerous these vehicles can be.
Like any commercial vehicle, a garbage truck is much bigger and heavier than a normal passenger car. So when a garbage truck hits another vehicle, or a pedestrian or bicyclist, those victims are at substantially greater risk of suffering serious–and potentially fatal–injuries. A qualified Fort Myers garbage truck accident lawyer assists these victims in holding waste management companies accountable when their negligence causes such injuries. At Cardinal Law, P.A., we represent victims of garbage truck accidents in seeking compensation for their physical injuries and other losses.
What Makes Garbage Trucks Uniquely Dangerous?
As with any vehicle, a garbage truck must be operated in accordance with local traffic laws. A truck operator who is speeding, ignores stop signals, or otherwise fails to obey the rules of the road can cause an accident just the same as any other driver. But garbage truck pose a number of additional and unique hazards as well:
- Garbage trucks make frequent stops, obviously to pick up trash. This means the truck driver needs to be mindful of any vehicles or persons behind the truck to avoid a potential collision.
- Garbage trucks have large blind spots. The driver therefore needs to be especially careful when turning or changing lanes.
- Sanitation workers work that start early in the morning and involve a substantial amount of manual labor. This can lead to fatigue, which makes a garbage truck driver far less alert than they need to be while on the road.
- Given their heavy usage and wear-and-tear, garbage trucks are more susceptible to mechanical problems that may lead to an accident.
From a legal standpoint, personal injury claims involving garbage trucks can also raise a host of unique issues. For example, if a garbage truck is owned or operated by a local government, there are special rules that an accident victim must follow to seek compensation. If these rules are not strictly obeyed, a claim will be barred from court regardless of the merits.
Contact Cardinal Law Today
Florida allows garbage truck accident victims to seek compensation for their damages. This includes personal injury, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases where a victim has been killed as the result of an accident, the family may also pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.
So if you, or someone that you love, has been injured due to the negligence of a garbage truck driver or waste management company, contact Cardinal Law, P.A., today to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our Florida personal injury law team.
