Dump Truck Accident Lawyer

Dump trucks are an essential part of construction, mining, and other industries in California and throughout the country. They take necessary supplies to and from job sites, haul waste, and transport commodities. According to Ibis World, there are more than 28,000 dump truck businesses currently operating in the United States. Texas, California, and Illinois have the most dump truck businesses in the country.

With so many dump trucks operating on American roads, it should come as no surprise that accidents happen regularly. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), on average, a fatal dump truck accident happens at least once per day in the United States. Data shows that an average of 16 dump truck injury crashes happen each day.

The California law firm of Wisner Baum has decades of experience representing victims of dump truck accidents in our home state and nationwide. As dedicated truck safety advocates, our legal team wants you to understand your full legal rights if you or a member of your family sustains injuries in a dump truck accident.

If you would like to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer about pursuing a case, please contact us or call toll-free (855) 948-5098 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Dump Truck Accidents Are Capable of Causing Catastrophic Injury or Death

Like other semi-trailers on the road, dump trucks are large and heavy vehicles, capable of causing severe damage. According to government data, the average weight of a loaded dump truck is about 28,000 pounds.

Typically, dump truck drivers are paid by the amount of weight hauled or the number of dumps completed, which can incentivize drivers to haul more than they should or take risks on the road to complete more hauls. This is dangerous for a variety of reasons:

• Overloaded dump trucks are more difficult to stop.

• Overloaded dump trucks are more likely to roll over.

• Overloaded dump trucks are more likely to spill gravel, sand, or other debris onto the roadway or other vehicles.

• Drivers paid by the haul may speed or drive recklessly to complete as many trips as possible.

Even when dump trucks are loaded properly, the sheer size and weight make them difficult to operate, which is why dump truck drivers must receive proper training before they can be trusted on the road. As experienced accident attorneys, we have seen time and time again, trucking companies cut corners on driver training to move more freight and make more money. This recklessness and lack of care for the safety of their drivers and other motorists is, unfortunately, a common theme in truck accident lawsuits.

Of course, even the most seasoned and experienced dump truck drivers can have trouble overcoming poorly loaded cargo or mechanical failure.

Whatever the cause, when a dump truck is involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle, the damage is almost always far more severe for the occupants of the passenger vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in fatal accidents between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, 97% of the reported deaths were occupants of the passenger vehicles.

Dump Truck Industry Statistics

According to Ibis World, the dump truck industry generates roughly $19 billion in revenue and employs nearly 100,000 workers in the U.S. alone.

The states with the most dump truck driver jobs are:

• California - 25,051
• Illinois – 16,843
• Ohio – 15,690
• Texas – 12,818
• Pennsylvania – 11,604

Below are dump truck accident statistics from the FMCSA:

Causes of Dump Truck Crashes

Driving a dump truck can be a dangerous job. Like others in the trucking industry, dump truck operators often face stressful working conditions and must adhere to tight deadlines. If a driver is running behind, they may act more recklessly to make up time, which puts other motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists in danger.

The margin for error driving a truck weighing 28,000 pounds is razor thin. Dump trucks have large blind spots, which can lead to improper lane changes. They also sit higher off the ground, making them susceptible to underride accidents and rollovers.

The chance of a dump truck accident increases if an operator speeds, is distracted by their mobile phone, or drives drowsy. Safety data shows that at least one driver-related factor was cited in roughly one-third of all fatal truck crashes in 2018.

Truck driver negligence is not the only common cause of accidents, however. Design or manufacturing defects can also cause dump truck wrecks. For example, if a component part of the truck, such as a brake. was not designed or manufactured correctly, and that brake failure led to an accident, the company responsible may be held liable in a lawsuit.

Another common factor in dump truck crashes is improper vehicle maintenance. Dump truck companies are responsible for maintaining trucks in their fleet so they are safe and roadworthy. If a company fails to properly maintain a truck and an accident occurs, the company is liable for any harm or damage it causes. In addition, any maintenance company that the company contracts with may be liable if maintenance is performed negligently.

Do I Need a Dump Truck Accident Lawyer?

An accident lawyer that has a track record of success litigating dump truck accident cases will give you and your family the best chance of obtaining justice and maximizing compensation. An experienced attorney working with leading transportation accident experts will help uncover all at-fault parties and strengthen your court claims.

At Wisner Baum, we have litigated numerous cases where our internal investigation found negligence and/or wrongdoing that law enforcement missed. Thorough investigative work helps ensure that all at-fault parties are held responsible. It can also increase the value of your case.

Dump truck companies and their insurance providers will work hard to avoid liability for causing an accident or incident that injures or kills victims. Some of these dump truck companies have extensive resources at their disposal, which can make any case all the more challenging. Having an experienced, board-certified truck accident lawyer on your side will level the playing field. We prepare all of our truck accident cases as if they are going to trial, which gives us an edge if and when it comes time to settle.

Millions Recovered for Victims of Trucking Accidents

Wisner Baum is based in California. Since the 1970s, we have effectively and successfully litigated truck accident cases in Los Angeles and across the U.S. We know what it takes to win big cases against dump truck companies. Our trucking litigation case results speak for themselves:

• $15 million truck accident settlement in tractor-trailer vs. pedestrian lawsuit
• $8.5 million truck crash combined verdict and post-judgment settlement
• $6.9 million truck crash settlement against a major trucking company
• $6 million truck crash settlement
• 75 truck accident lawsuits resolved for over $1 million

Our legal team includes Best Lawyers® 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” Timothy Loranger and veteran transportation attorney Clay Robbins III. Both of them have extensive experience handling and successfully resolving semi-truck accident cases for satisfied clients throughout the country. We know all too well how difficult it is to put your life back together after a truck crash. Retaining an award-winning legal team that is client-focused and trial-ready allows you to focus on what is most important after a truck wreck: your health and well-being.