Atlanta Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers

Legal Representation for Victims of Atlanta Trash Truck Accidents

Garbage trucks are heavy, powerful vehicles and should be handle with great care. All it takes is one mistake or act of negligence for a driver to cause a serious collision, potentially injuring or killing pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers. Negligent garbage truck drivers and companies should be held accountable, but the process of getting compensation is not simple. Pursuing an injury claim against a garbage truck company requires a thorough investigation of your accident to determine whether your injuries were caused by a government or private agency. These complicated cases should only be handled by experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers who will uncover every detail of your case.

If you or someone you love was injured by a negligent garbage truck driver, you need to speak Grant Law Offices immediately to discuss your case. Our legal team has decades of experience investigating personal injury claims and advocating for full compensation on behave of injured clients throughout Atlanta. We only take on a handful of cases at a time to ensure our clients get the care and attention they need after an accident. To speak to an Atlanta garbage truck accident attorney in a free consultation, call Grant Law Office at (404) 995-3955.

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How Garbage Truck Accidents Occur

Hauling trash and cargo across a city as massive at Atlanta requires an extensive fleet of heavy-duty vehicles. Hundreds of vehicles operate on our roads every week as part of our cities Waste and Sanitation Department, but there are also private companies that help remove waste for some private property owners. In any case, garbage and dump trucks can weigh thousands of pounds even when empty and require skilled hands at the wheel to operate them safely.

Like other heavy trucks, their sheer weight and size make them difficult to stop at high-speeds, and drivers should always keep them at the speed limit or below in certain areas like freeways. If a driver speeds, is distracted, or fatigued, they can cause catastrophic rear-end collisions at intersections. There is also the risk of running red lights or stop signs, which can serious injury other drivers in T-bone collisions or kill pedestrians in crosswalks.

Garbage trucks have large blind spots that make it difficult for drivers to see anyone near their rear tires. Properly signaling during lane changes and turns, checking all mirrors, and maintaining a steady speed can all prevent sideswipe accidents. However, if a driver is rushing to clear a street or distracted, they can injure motorcyclists and bicyclists caught in their blind spots. The front of the vehicle is also harder to see, which is why drivers should pay extra attention for pedestrians and joggers who may have entered their path when the truck stopped to a clear a bin.

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Recovering Compensation After a Collision

Atlanta garbage trucks are operated by two different groups, both of which have separate procedures for recovering compensation.

As overseen by the Atlanta Public Works Department and the Office of Solid Waste Services, public garbage truck handle most waste disposal for homeowners and property owners. As government vehicles, these trucks are held to the highest standard and should only be operated by well-trained drivers. If a government driver causes your injuries, you may be able to pursue compensation under the Georgia Torts Claim Act. This allows accident victims to recover up to $1,000,000 in compensation through a government tort claim.

However, in order to recover compensation, you must submit a notice with the Atlanta Public Works Department within one year of your accident. Failure to submit this notice can result in your claim being denied. Once you submit a notice, you then have two years from the date of your accident to file a government tort claim. These claims can be contentious, which is why you should only trust them to an experienced attorney.

With private garbage truck companies, you can file an auto accident claim against the driver or waste disposal company’s insurance policy. As commercial vehicles, these policies can include significantly higher policy limits than a standard auto insurance policy, allowing you to get proper compensation for a serious injury. Like a government tort claim, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, you will need to go through the driver’s insurance company, which will try to fight your claim.

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Get a Free Case Evaluation

Whether you were injured by a publicly owned garbage truck or private company, you deserve proper and full compensation for your injuries. Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Grant Law Office have decades of experience investigating personal injury cases and advocate for accident victims throughout our city. We provide our clients with personalized and attentive legal representation to ensure not a single detail is left out of their case. Call us today at (404) 995-3955 to get a free case evaluation and learn how we can fight for you.

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