Unfortunately, crashes on Interstate 75 are all too common, but very few accidents are caused by dump trucks. Approximately 2,400 dump truck collisions occur each year, 100 of which are fatal. Drivers who collide with dump trucks often suffer life-threatening injuries.
Story: 2 injured after dump truck hits bridge
On November 7, 2022 at 10:20 a.m., the Ohio Highway Patrol responded to 2 crashes on Interstate 63 in Monroe. Two people were taken to the hospital after a garbage truck crashed into the SR 63 bridge, sending debris onto I-75.
The man at fault was driving a 2021 Kenworth garbage truck eastbound on Interstate 63 when he collided with a 2013 Hyundai hatchback. Immediately after hitting the Hyundai, the truck lost control and hit the bridge. This force caused the debris to hit other cars.
The Hyundai driver suffered minor injuries while the Kenworth driver suffered life-threatening injuries. Both were immediately taken to Atrium Hospital in Middletown for tests.
If you get hit by a truck, can you get paid?
If a truck driver is found to be responsible for an accident, the driver can receive compensation for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. However, if you are hit while driving out of state, you should consult a local attorney as they know the laws in their jurisdiction.
For example, if you were hit near Allentown, Pennsylvania, you should consult with an Allentown truck accident attorney, such as those at Munley Law. They have offices across the state, including Scranton, Hazleton, Pittsburgh, Carbondale, Stroudsburg and Philadelphia.
Having said that, you must act quickly after an accident. If you wait too long, temporary evidence may be lost or destroyed, such as driver logs, which will be required in your case.
How dump trucks endanger public and employee safety
Driver inattention is a big reason people die behind the wheel. Distracted and drunk drivers account for the majority of vehicle fatalities, but are the statistics consistent for garbage truck drivers?
Why Garbage Truck Operators Have Accidents
Private waste collection companies often treat their employees poorly. Private research shows that operators work 10 to 14 hours a day, 6 days a week. They are often exhausted and drive without rest, which causes them to lose concentration or fall asleep behind the wheel.
While sudden stops and starts are part of the job, some operators will brake too quickly. This could cause the driver to collide with a parked truck, resulting in injury or death.
However, even responsible drivers can be involved in accidents because they have to operate in poor light conditions. The operator was unable to control the general maintenance of the truck, resulting in accidents such as sudden brake failure, icy roads, stalled engines and slick tires.
Who is injured in a garbage truck collision?
Tragically, waste managers are more likely than any other group of people to be injured in collisions with garbage trucks. According to OSHA data, truck drivers were outside their trucks or hit by arms picking up trash cans, resulting in broken bones and lacerated limbs.
Operators are often thrown off the top of moving trucks due to all these sudden starts and stops. Children can also be hit crossing the road if they think the truck won’t move.
Other drivers and cyclists are also common victims of garbage truck accidents, but there have been several accidents involving the public. Sometimes a truck’s arm hits or bounces a person into the air, or the truck hits a pedestrian, usually because of negligent operators.
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