West Palm Beach Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers
Were you hurt, or was your loved one killed in a collision with a garbage truck? If so, the West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers of Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. can help you get justice. We have been representing accident victims throughout Florida since 1978, and we are ready to stand up and fight for you. Our legal team has the resources and skills to hold the truck driver accountable for their actions and get you the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Everyone knows the purpose that garbage trucks serve. They provide an essential service that we cannot live without. However, they can also cause severe, catastrophic, or fatal injuries if they collide with a car, truck, motorcycle, cyclist, or pedestrian.
If you were hurt in a collision caused by a negligent garbage truck driver, commercial carrier, or government entity, don’t despair. Our team of skilled truck accident lawyers will seek full and fair compensation from the negligent party or parties. Our goal will be to get you the money you need to pay your medical bills, repair your vehicle, recoup lost wages and other expenses, and move on with your life. Call us now at (561) 689-8180 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation.
Common Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents In West Palm Beach
Because of their size and weight, truck drivers and the entities that own these vehicles must properly maintain and operate these vehicles responsibly. Failure to do so could result in a serious or fatal injury accident. Two particular issues make garbage trucks difficult to handle, which include:
Poor visibility – The design of a garbage truck creates an issue for the driver to see any other vehicles around them. The blind spots are larger than those of passenger cars due to the container on the back used to store and transport waste. This type of vehicle is also much higher off the ground. If the driver doesn’t adequately check all blind spots before turning, merging, or changing lanes, they could collide with someone’s car.
High center of gravity – Garbage trucks have a high center of gravity, making them top-heavy and easy to roll. If the driver takes a turn too fast or makes a maneuver that throws the vehicle off-balance, it could tip over onto another vehicle, crushing it in the process.
Driver error could also be responsible for a garbage truck crash. Some of the most causes of garbage truck accidents include:
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Becoming inattentive due to a cell phone or another distraction
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to check blind spots
- Driving while tired
- Running a red light or stop sign
Garbage truck drivers and the entities that own these vehicles also have to follow federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If they violate any of these regulations and cause an injury accident, they could be held accountable for the harm they cause.
Filing An Insurance Claim After A Garbage Truck Accident
There is a no-fault car insurance system in Florida. That means if you get hurt in an accident, you must file an insurance claim with your auto insurance company before seeking additional compensation. Even if the garbage truck driver caused the crash, you’d need to file a claim through your personal injury protection policy first.
Personal injury protection (PIP) covers all reasonable and necessary medical expenses and other financial losses up to a $10,000 limit regardless of who was at fault for the accident. After filing a claim, the insurance company will pay upfront for all of your medical bills until you reach the limit. If you reach the limit and still have expenses to pay for, you could then file a claim with the garbage truck driver’s insurance company as long as you meet certain requirements.
Accident victims can only pursue liability claims if their injury meets the serious injury threshold. That means the injury you sustained in the accident must be at least one of the following:
- Significant and permanent loss of use of an essential bodily function.
- Permanent injury.
- Significant and permanent disfigurement or scarring.
- Death.
You could potentially seek compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- A rental car
- Out of pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., our West Palm Beach garbage truck accident lawyers will aggressively pursue compensation we believe is fair to cover your past and future expenses. We will aggressively fight for the maximum settlement you need and deserve.
Contact Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A.
Our firm has been handling truck accident claims, including garbage truck accident cases, for over four decades. We have a dedicated legal team that will fight by your side until the very end. The impact of a truck accident can extend far beyond just the financial strain. It can also affect your job, family, and daily routine. Our West Palm Beach garbage truck accident lawyers have the resources to get you the full and fair compensation you’re owed.
Call Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. at (561) 689-8180 today for a free consultation to discuss your case with one of our knowledgeable attorneys right away.
