Dump trucks can be involved in severe vehicle collisions. Due to their size and the way they’re built, if a dump truck gets into a collision with a passenger car, the smaller car will usually absorb most of the damage. Dump trucks are specially designed commercial trucks used for hauling loose materials like sand, gravel, chunks of concrete, waste, and other items. A standard dump truck has an open box back that carries the load. The box tilts using hydraulic lifts to dump the materials, usually at a construction site.
Dump trucks pose a unique risk to other drivers on the road. They can cause injury either through collisions or when the loaded materials spill onto the road. A dump truck’s load typically weighs several tons, typically between 6.5 to 7.5 tons, or around 13,000 to 15,000 pounds. Some larger trucks can carry up to 25 tons or more. This gives you an idea of how massive dump trucks are, how heavy they can get, and how difficult they can be to stop.
Dump trucks have several features that increase the risk of a crash, even when compared to other commercial trucks like 18-wheelers. Their height and their weight are the two most obvious features that makes them dangerous, but the lack of driver visibility is a close third.
Dump trucks perform many tasks that are crucial for building and construction. However, an accident with one of them can be catastrophic, and wrecks can frequently involve many cars. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a dump truck, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
If you have been involved in a dump truck crash, the first thing you should do is assess your health and seek medical attention, even if you think you feel fine. You may have sustained injuries that are not immediately detectable. Those injuries can get worse if left untreated.
Your next step will be to reach out to an experienced dump truck crash attorney to assess your individual situation. Maginnis Law’s lead personal injury/motor vehicle collision attorney, T. Shawn Howard has over ten years of experience handling motor vehicle collision cases. He is a million dollar and multi-million-dollar advocate, meaning that he has obtain settlements for his client in excess of $1,000,000 and $2,000,000. He has also been designated a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2016.
To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (919) 526-0450. You can also email our intake team through the contact page.
Every client of our law firm gets personal contact from our attorneys. Other firms have clients deal primarily with paralegals or other staff members. With us, you will have direct contact with one of our attorneys.
