Dump trucks carry heavy loads, or even loose materials like gravel, concrete, and sand all across South Carolina. Both due to the size and weight of these trucks and the materials inside, the potential for serious injuries in an accident is high. Being injured in a dump truck accident may lead to costly medical treatments, or in worst cases, fatal consequences.
If you or someone you know has recently been involved in a collision involving a dump truck, you need a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Greenville to assist you.
Accident Risks With Dump Trucks
While any vehicle may wind up in a serious accident, dump trucks carry additional risks. The size of a dump truck is the biggest factor that influences accident risk.
This includes factors such as:
- Big blind spots for dump trucks make it hard for the driver to see other vehicles on the road, particularly when merging or changing lanes.
- Tall dump trucks can block things like lights, road signs, or other signs.
- Dump trucks are inherent tipover risks due to their center of gravity.
- There are unloading risks such as leaving debris on the roadway.
- There’s a possibility of underride accidents with high dump truck carriages in which a vehicle could get stuck.
While you may not realize what caused the accident when it first happens, a further investigation carried out by a lawyer may reveal what ultimately caused the wreck. Getting a hold of this evidence as soon as you can is critical for building a strong case.
Serious Injuries in Dump Truck Accidents
Injuries in a dump truck accident may be severe and last for many years. This raises questions for a victim about how best to pursue compensation. Injuries can include typical accident conditions like:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Crush injuries
Forms of Negligence in a Dump Truck Crash
Identifying who is responsible for the accident is important for building a personal injury lawsuit. If another driver or party owed you a duty of care on the road and caused you to suffer, you may name them as a negligent party in your claim.
A thorough investigation of the accident scene is often necessary to determine who may be responsible. The driver may be the primary cause of the accident, but other parties may also be named in your personal injury lawsuit.
The right dump truck accident lawyer should be engaged as soon as possible after your wreck to look at the factors of the crash and to gather additional evidence, such as video evidence or statements from eyewitnesses.
In addition to the driver of the vehicle, the employer of that driver or third-party manufacturers of dangerous or defective parts that contributed to the accident may also be named in a lawsuit.
Common examples of negligence in dump truck crashes include driver errors such as driver fatigue, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or aggressive driving.
What Settlement Can You Get for a Dump Truck Accident?
After being injured by a dump truck, you may need compensation from a personal injury lawsuit to pay your medical bills and other expenses.
The average settlement for a dump truck accident involves many different factors, including the severity of your injuries, the type of accident, and whether or not the driver was speeding at the time of the wreck.
There are numerous economic and non-economic damages you may fight for in court, including:
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
One of the biggest challenges for most dump truck accident victims involves communicating with the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement offer.
You need a law firm experienced in negotiating with these insurance companies in court to put you in the best possible situation to recover fair compensation.
What Can a Lawyer Do After a Dump Truck Accident?
Having legal counsel to advise you about what to do and not do immediately after a dump truck accident is important. Avoid talking to anyone you do not have to, making statements, or signing paperwork, until you’ve had the opportunity to engage your lawyer.
A knowledgeable dump truck accident lawyer will immediately begin to gather evidence before it disappears or changes, communicate with any witnesses who saw the accident, and protect you from any problems with the insurance companies. Your lawyer will also take over communication with the insurance carriers where applicable.
How do I know if the company is responsible?
If the driver is a contracted employee, the company employing them may still be held responsible if the truck does not meet proper safety standards, if the driver is not well-trained, or if there is an unsafe environment created by the company.
If the driver is a full-time employee, the company could be held responsible for cutting corners with safety inspections or failing to provide adequate training, or putting deadlines on drivers that cause unsafe operations.
What should you do after a dump truck accident?
You may be limited as far as what evidence you can collect at the scene of the accident based on the severity. If you’re able to, attempt to capture photos of your personal injuries, the accident scene, any debris or skid mark on the road, and any vehicles involved in the accident.
You also want to gather the contact information of any eyewitnesses that are present. It is always recommended that you call the police to the scene of the accident to create a police report, and to help you gather this important evidence.
Hire a Dump Truck Accident Lawyer in Greenville Now
A lawyer in your corner positions you for the best chance to recover the compensation you need. If you were recently involved in an accident with a dump truck on South Carolina’s roads, speak to a lawyer at our firm now. With nearly 30 years of experience helping victims in injury cases, the Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm can assist you with your claim.