Garbage trucks provide a vital service to communities across North Carolina. They also pose a risk to anyone sharing roads and streets with them.
Truck operators are often behind the wheel in the early morning hours when visibility is low. They may be fatigued and under pressure to move quickly to finish their routes. That can be a deadly combination. The sheer size of most garbage trucks increases the risk of serious injury when they collide with other vehicles, not to mention pedestrians or cyclists.
At Martin & Jones, we help people and families who have been injured in accidents with garbage trucks and other vehicles. Every Raleigh truck accident lawyer in our office has years of experience fighting for clients to help them get back on their feet after accidents with the fullest compensation available under the law.
Common Causes of Trash Truck Collisions
Garbage truck drivers face many of the same hazards as other motorists when they hit the road. That includes bad weather, shoddy road conditions, and reckless drivers.
But there are also unique factors that raise the risk of crashes involving trash trucks. Unfortunately, in our experience as Raleigh garbage truck accident lawyers, we find that garbage and recycling truck drivers are often not properly trained in how to safely operate their vehicles. Their employers may skimp on vital, routine maintenance and safety inspections to ensure that trucks are in safe working order.
Garbage and recycling trucks stop and start frequently, requiring heightened awareness from trash collectors, pedestrians, bicycle riders, and vehicle drivers. Some garbage truck operators often stop their trucks in the middle of the street instead of on one side while collecting waste. Stopped vehicles in the middle of the roadway can increase the risk of a crash.
Another common cause of trash truck accidents is falling objects. Items spilling out from overstuffed trucks create an immediate hazard for unsuspecting motorists.
Garbage Truck Accident Injuries
Like other crashes, garbage truck collisions can cause a wide range of injuries. These accidents tend to be more severe, however, because of the size of the vehicles.
Two collisions in North Carolina involving garbage trucks underscore the threat.
A 13-year-old girl was killed in Cary in late 2024 after being struck by a garbage truck. The teenager was in a crosswalk when she was fatally struck by the truck, according to a local news report.
Months earlier, people involved in a massive crash on I-40 in Raleigh were fortunate to walk away with only minor injuries. The collision, involving a garbage truck and a tractor-trailer, resulted in fires and shut down traffic on the busy highway.
Our lawyers commonly see cases involving the following injuries:
- Burns
- Fractured, broken or crushed bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Damage to internal organs
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
Anyone injured in a garbage truck accident in North Carolina has the right to seek compensation from those responsible, including the driver and his or her employer, as well as insurers. A garbage truck accident lawyer at our firm can help you take action.
The monetary damages available in these cases include compensation for medical bills, missed wages lost while recovering, and pain and suffering. Additionally, punitive damages may also be awarded in situations involving particularly reckless behavior.
To get compensation, you have to be able to prove legal liability. North Carolina law requires trash truck drivers and other motorists to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner and to refrain from dangerous activity, like aggressive driving or getting behind the wheel while drowsy or impaired. A driver who fails to live up to this responsibility is likely to be found negligent and liable for any accidents that happen as a result.
Trash truck companies typically are responsible for accidents caused by their employees. Some trash operations are government-owned, which can make pursuing claims more complicated.
Investigating a Garbage Truck Accident
The aftermath of a crash is often a painful, stressful, and confusing time. People injured in collisions (and their family members) may feel worried and unsure about what is next, in addition to suffering from the physical pain of injuries.
It is important to understand that this is a critical juncture. What happens after a crash can have a significant impact on your ability to get compensation for your injuries, as well as the extent of the compensation. An experienced lawyer can help gather the available evidence to determine who is to blame for the collision and start building the strongest possible case.
Local police typically handle the initial investigation after a truck or other traffic accident. State and federal authorities may also be involved in crashes involving a large number of vehicles and those that result in catastrophic injury or death.
The officer or officers who arrive at the scene will talk with the drivers involved in the accident. They also will speak with anyone who witnessed the crash. Police will take note of physical evidence, like vehicle damage and skid marks. An officer may also ask any of the drivers involved in an accident to submit to a blood alcohol test if there is reason to believe they have been drinking.
The police report of the accident is often a crucial part of determining liability for the crash. This is true even in situations where the officer does not reach a specific conclusion on who caused the collision. That is because witnesses’ memories may fade, and physical evidence could erode over time.
Our Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you have been injured in a garbage truck accident or other type of crash, the Raleigh personal injury trial lawyers at Martin & Jones offer compassionate, results-driven representation. There are time limits for filing a traffic accident lawsuit in North Carolina, so please contact our offices right away for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our lawyers can be reached online or by phone at 1-800-662-1234. We have offices in Raleigh, Durham, and Wilmington and serve clients throughout the state.
FOR FREE No Win, No Fee
Review Us
“Thank you for your concern of my well-being every time I spoke with you. It always meant so much. I hear nothing but awful stories of dealing with attorneys and their offices, but I have had nothing but positive experience. You have many special ways of working with people in need of help. Words can never express the way your support has been so helpful. I pray you will continue to help others. I wish you all the best.”
