badge
badge
badge

Dump Truck Accidents

Knowledgeable Personal Injury Lawyer Based in the Decatur Area

Dump trucks are a type of heavy equipment that may be utilized in waste management, mining, construction, and other jobs that involve carrying loose materials from one point to another. The loose materials may be trash, soil, sand, or gravel. Dump trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded. That means that accidents may be devastating to people in cars or other smaller vehicles. Not all personal injury attorneys have the skill and knowledge to aggressively pursue damages following a truck accident. If you were injured in a dump truck accident in Alabama, you can consult Decatur truck accident attorney Greg Reeves at the Reeves Law Firm.

Claims Based on Dump Truck Accidents

There are many different types of dump trucks, including standard dump trucks, transfer dump trucks, haul trucks, semi trailer end dump trucks, and off road dump trucks. Generally, they include a hydraulic mechanism that contains cylinders to lift the container or bed of the dump truck, which allows it to dump loose materials or cargo. All commercial trucks, such as 18-wheelers and big rigs, present an increased danger, but dump trucks include additional components that can cause injuries. The hydraulic mechanism that lifts the truck bed or container can injure a person who is in the path of the dumped cargo.

The increased danger is not limited to when a dump truck is dumping cargo. When a dump truck has an open container, debris may fall out of the dump and onto the highway, colliding with passenger car windshields, as well as with pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists. At high speeds on the highway, this can blind a driver, who can lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident, or it may directly injure someone.

Dump truck accidents may be results of negligence. To prove negligence, your injury lawyer will need to show that the defendant acted carelessly in causing the accident. Careless conduct can occur in many different ways and in various places, including on the road, at construction sites, or at loading docks. For example, if a driver does not secure the cargo appropriately at the loading dock, and then the loose cargo causes an accident, it is likely that a jury will find that there was negligence. Other breaches of duty by a dump truck driver may include overloading a truck, ignoring traffic signs and signals, speeding, failing to check blind spots, taking a turn too fast, fatigued driving, and backing up improperly.

Dump trucks can be owned by a trucking company, or they can be privately owned and operated by a driver. Sometimes they are owned by a government entity. Your attorney will need to identify all of the parties that contributed to an accident.

Sometimes only the dump truck driver is liable, but a dump truck driver's employer may be held vicariously liable if the driver was negligent in the scope of employment. Additionally, a trucking company can be held directly liable for its own negligence. There are numerous regulations that a trucking company should follow, such as conducting background checks of job applicants and drug and alcohol testing employees. Garbage and construction companies should make sure that their drivers are trained in handling the dump truck and can operate this type of vehicle safely. A company could be held liable for negligent hiring, negligent training, or negligent supervision.

In some cases, a defect in the dump truck causes an accident. It may be possible to hold the dump truck manufacturer accountable for any injuries caused by a defective dump truck in a product liability lawsuit. If the dump truck accident occurs on a construction site and is a workplace injury, we may look at other potential sources of recovery, such as subcontractors or contractors that may be at fault but are not your employer.

Discuss Your Potential Trucking Injury Case With a Decatur Attorney

If you are injured or a loved one is killed in a dump truck accident, it is crucial to consult a skillful personal injury attorney who understands these types of accidents. Mr. Reeves has 30 years of legal experience. He represents people in Decatur, Athens, Huntsville, Madison, Hartselle, and Birmingham, as well as other communities in Jackson, Limestone, Lawrence, Morgan, Madison, Lauderdale, and Cullman Counties. Call us at 256-355-3311 or use our online form to set up a free consultation.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
“Mr. Reeves came highly recommended from a family member. He worked tirelessly on my personal injury case with the end results being greater than I ever expected. Mr. Reeves and his staff did an outstanding job keeping me up to date on everything going on with my case. I highly recommend Greg Reeves if you want results beyond your expectations.” Paula G.
★★★★★
“I was injured by an uninsured motorist - out of state. Mr. Reeves went above and beyond to ensure my case was handled accordingly. I had no idea how to begin due to the extenuating circumstances. He handled everything and kept me informed throughout the process.” Stacy
★★★★★
“My daughter and I were in a serious car wreck. Without hesitation we chose Greg to represent us. He worked tirelessly and we ended up gaining more than we ever imagined. Greg is a caring, dependable, and assertive lawyer and we were blessed to have him on our side.” S. Rice
★★★★★
"Mr. Reeves did a great job for me on my accident claim. He is top notch in my book. Always responsive ( and that is most important to me ) and gave me good advice. I would definitely recommend him in an accident or personal injury case. If I ever have to deal with something like this again you can bet I will consult with him." D. Harville
★★★★★
"I am grateful I had Greg Reeves as a personal injury attorney and I highly recommend him. He was meticulous during the discovery phase and "left no stone unturned". I appreciate his patience and professionalism during the process. Greg's support staff was a pleasure to work with as well." M. J.
★★★★★
"Greg helped my father with a personal injury case. He did an exceptional job! He kept my Dad informed throughout the entire process and got very fair results. Greg was very supportive during a difficult time in our life which is very appreciative when you don't know what to expect. His integrity, honesty, and knowledge exceeded anything we could have expected. He went above and beyond! My family highly recommends Greg." A. Bowen