Dump Truck Accidents
A dump truck is a commercial vehicle that is designed to haul materials such as sand, dirt, rocks, and dry concrete. These trucks typically weigh around 13,000 to 15,000 pounds, making them far heavier than the average vehicle. A dump truck’s size and weight make it a huge threat in the event of an accident.
In dump truck accidents, other involved vehicles will likely absorb the majority of the accident damage. Catastrophic or deadly injuries are also a risk of dump truck accidents. The car accident lawyers at Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP can assist accident victims in the White Plains, NY, area in collecting compensation for the significant losses that are likely to stem from a dump truck accident.
Types of Dump Truck Accidents
Just like any passenger vehicle, dump trucks can be involved in many different types of accidents, including rear-end accidents, T-bone (or side angle) crashes, and head-on collisions. However, the size, weight, and configuration of dump trucks make them more susceptible to certain types of accidents.
- Underride accidents: Dump trucks sit higher up than most other vehicles, even other commercial trucks. This creates space that increases the risk of an underride accident, that in which another vehicle gets trapped beneath the dump truck.
- Rollover accidents: The height and weight of a dump truck both put it at risk of a rollover accident. These trucks are more prone to flipping or rolling over in a collision, or even when making a sharp turn.
- Merging accidents: Dump trucks provide drivers with limited visibility, so they may not see oncoming traffic when merging.
- Pile-up accidents: Dump trucks often travel together in a single-line driving formation. This makes it more likely that a dump truck accident will turn into a pile-up.
- Spilled load accidents: Materials in a dump truck can fall out, causing accidents even if a vehicle never actually strikes the dump truck. If a malfunction occurs, an entire load can spill onto the road.
What Causes Dump Truck Accidents?
The causes of dump truck accidents are just as varied as the types of crashes that can occur. Some of the factors that most commonly contribute to dump truck accidents involving our White Plains clients include:
- Driver error
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Vehicle malfunction or mechanical failure
- Improperly loaded cargo
Steps to Take Following a Dump Truck Accident
Individuals involved in a dump truck accident are likely to suffer significant damages, which may include injuries, physical pain, emotional trauma, medical expenses, and lost wages. To ensure that the liable party is held accountable for accident damages, it is important that our White Plains clients take certain steps following the accident:
- Report the accident to the police
- Exchange information with all involved parties
- Make note of the dump truck company
- Collect contact information from any witnesses
- If possible, take photos of involved vehicles and the accident scene
- Seek medical attention
- As soon as possible, make notes regarding accident details, including the events that lead to the collision
- Contact a truck accident attorney
Schedule a Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dump truck accident, the attorneys at Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP can help you hold liable parties accountable for damages. To discuss the details of your case with our legal team, call (914) 686-3700 and schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.