Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer
It is easy to assume that garbage truck accidents don’t happen often since city refuse and recycling trucks (also known as waste collection vehicles) usually come to collect trash just once (or twice) a week. But according to United States government statistics, more than 1,400 garbage truck accidents cause injuries each year, and more than 120 result in at least one death.
Garbage truck accidents are on the rise in the U.S. Between 2016 and 2018, the country saw a 25% increase in fatal garbage truck accidents, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). As experienced garbage truck accident attorneys representing victims in these potentially deadly incidents, we want you to understand your full legal rights if the worst should happen to you or a member of your family.
If you would like to speak with a truck accident lawyer about pursuing a legal claim, please contact us or call toll-free (855) 948-5098 for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Garbage Trucks Are Capable of Causing Severe Injuries
Like any tractor-trailer or semi-truck on the road, garbage trucks are large and heavy vehicles capable of causing severe damage. The average weight of a garbage truck is 64,000 pounds, according to Southern California-based Titan Recycle and Trash. Smaller trash trucks are still quite heavy, often weighing about 40,000 pounds.
The sheer size and weight of trash trucks make them dangerous. In any accident involving a garbage truck, car occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians usually bear the brunt of the damage. According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in fatal crashes between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, 97% of the reported deaths were occupants of passenger vehicles.
Garbage Truck Statistics
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are currently more than 120,000 garbage and sanitation workers collecting and dumping refuse and recyclables. The top five states with the most sanitation collectors (and the most garbage collection vehicles on the road) include:
- California (13,950 garbage and waste workers)
- New York (10,290 garbage and waste workers)
- Texas (10,060 garbage and waste workers)
- Florida (9,190 garbage and waste workers)
- North Carolina (5,980 garbage and waste workers)
Below you will find fatal garbage truck crash statistics from the FMCSA for the most recent years (2016 – 2018):
| 2016 Garbage Truck Accidents | 2017 Garbage Truck Accidents | 2018 Garbage Truck Accidents |
| 93 Fatal | 108 Fatal | 124 Fatal |
| 1,485 Injury | 1,427 Injury | 1,471 Injury |
| 2,356 Total | 2,430 Total | 2,569 Total |
Driving a garbage truck is difficult and dangerous. In fact, a garbage truck driver is one of the most dangerous jobs one can have in America. The fatal injury rate for waste collectors is 34 per 100,000, which is ahead of police officers, firefighters, construction workers, and many others.
The margin for error is very small when you are dealing with heavy and dangerous equipment, and often facing time-sensitive and demanding schedules each workday. If a garbage truck driver speeds, drives while fatigued, or is distracted by a cell phone, the result can be deadly. Government data shows that at least one driver-related factor was cited in roughly a third of all fatal truck crashes in 2018.
But truck driver negligence is not the only factor in truck crashes. Manufacturing defects and maintenance failures are also causes of garbage truck accidents. For example, if a component part of a garbage truck had a design deficiency or was not manufactured correctly, and that failure led to an accident, the company responsible may be held liable in a lawsuit.
Los Angeles Garbage Truck Attorneys
The Los Angeles law firm of Wisner Baum has litigated truck accident cases in California and across the U.S. for more than 30 years. We know what it takes to win against garbage and waste management companies. Our truck accident lawsuit case results speak for themselves:
- $15 million truck accident settlement in tractor trailer vs. pedestrian lawsuit
- $8.5 million truck crash verdict plus pre and post-judgment interest
- $6.9 million truck crash settlement against major trucking company
- $6 million truck crash settlement
- 75 truck accident lawsuits resolved for over $1 million
Having a team that is client focused and trial ready means you can focus on what is most important after a garbage truck accident: regaining your health and putting your life back in order.
But don’t take our word for it, hear what our clients have to say:
Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman is an incredible firm. They are so knowledgeable and efficient and yet still have great soft skills. They were there every single step of the way to assist us with any questions we had; you are being led by some of the leading experts in the law field with this firm. I cannot say enough about how much they helped through a very difficult time. If you are not talking to this firm, you are doing yourself a huge disservice.
- Lance Daul
We could not have asked for a better firm to represent us. Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman was the peak of professionalism. They were always quick to respond and always proved they were in the corner with us; we were a part of the team. It was obvious from the responses of the defendant’s attorneys and the judges we dealt with that our firm was held in high esteem and was well respected. At all times, the firm was quick to ensure the comfort of my family, whether that was in making sure that depositions were done geographically close to my family or that we got to the airport safely after our meetings. They went above and beyond the lawsuit. They helped navigate through things like car storage and medical bills. They were present at court dates that were not directly involved with the case they were hired to handle. Our firm ensured that we navigated the overwhelming court system with a strong advocate in our corner – during what could have felt insurmountable, they were there! During what was a dark time for our family – they were the light at the end of the tunnel helping us heal and find our way.
- Peggy Delano
Why You Need a Garbage Truck Lawyer
Determining the cause of an accident and uncovering all of the responsible parties takes experience and skill. An accident lawyer that has a track record of success litigating trucking cases will understand how to identify all negligent parties and maximize compensation for the victims. We have litigated numerous cases in which our law firm’s investigation found negligence outside the purview of a law enforcement investigation. This investigative work effectively increased the case value to our clients.
Garbage and waste management companies (and their insurers) will often go to great lengths to avoid liability for causing personal injuries or deaths when one of their trucks is involved in an accident or incident. These companies have extensive resources. They will dispatch their own investigators, attorneys, and other personnel to strengthen their case and limit any payout to victims. It is their job to cast the case in a light most favorable to their clients.
Hiring an experienced, board-certified truck accident lawyer is your way to level the playing field.
-
$6 Million Settlement Fatal Truck Accident
Wisner Baum obtained a $6 million wrongful death settlement on behalf of an individual who died following a truck crash.
-
$15 Million Settlement Truck Accident
Our firm successfully negotiated a $15 million catastrophic injury settlement for our clients. The case stemmed from a Southern California accident involving a commercial truck and a pedestrian.
-
$8.5 Million Verdict Commercial Truck Accident
Wisner Baum secured a $8.5 million wrongful death verdict against the food industry company, Tyson Foods, for the wrongful death of a young man.
-
$6.9 Million Settlement Truck Accident Settlement
After a semi-truck drove over a stopped car, killing two of its occupants and injuring a third, one of our attorneys took the case all the way to trial. Our firm continued in pursuit of justice for the three victims over a four-day trial until the case finally settled for $6.9 million.
Client-Focused Representation
REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
We believe our track record speaks for itself. But you don’t have to take our word for it. See what our clients have to say about working with us.
-
"I Can’t Imagine a Better Law Firm"
Multiple lawyers recommended Wisner Baum to me and I have been consistently impressed with the quality of their work.
- Best Law Firms Survey -
"They Are About Changing the Systems..."
Wisner Baum are not only amazing attorneys but more importantly, they are activists. They are about changing the systems which got us into trouble in the first place. They understand their role in the process of making change.
- Kim Witczak -
"Top Legal Minds in the Country"
The Wisner Baum firm has some of the top legal minds in the country; they are driven, determined, trustworthy, ethical and passionate.
- From Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms -
"Diligent & Professional Representation"
Thanks to your efforts I was able to recover from a tragic experience and turn my life around for the best.
- W.T. -
"Our Best Interest Was Always Number One on Your List"
A special thank you to your Spanish-speaking staff for the extra effort put into this case. The language barrier was never a problem, and we are so very thankful to them. Your name holds much respect in our family.
- G.C. & C.C -
"We Have Never Met a More Wonderful Group of People"
It is obvious that the people at Wisner Baum believe in what they do. And that you all really care about your clients.
- The B. Family -
"They Worked Very Hard and Kept in Contact, Which Is Very Important to Me"
I appreciate that you care about how I feel and that you take time to use your talents to ensure your every contact with me is warmly professional.
- A.D.B. -
"Your Expertise in This Field Gave Me the Utmost Trust and Confidence"
I wanted a fair settlement within an appropriate time frame, and without any public scrutiny. With your hard work and dedication, we were able to achieve those goals.
- T.O.
