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Accidents involving garbage trucks can be dangerous and can cause significant damage. Garbage truck accidents most often occur when a garbage truck is backing up. This most commonly occurs on city streets, meaning streets in neighborhoods, streets where there are office buildings, but not necessarily on the highway. Most garbage trucks have a distinctive beeping sound that alerts other drivers and pedestrians that a truck may be backing up. If the trucker fails to alert others on the road or fails to pay attention, then they may cause a collision.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident due to a reckless garbage truck driver, a dedicated truck crash attorney could help you seek compensation. A knowledgeable DC garbage truck accident lawyer could investigate your accident and help you recover compensation for all of your damages.
The personal injury claim would be filed against the trash company if it is a private company. If it is a public works vehicle owned and operated by D.C., the claim is made against the District of Columbia, which means that there are certain imperative notice requirements that have to be filed and sent.
The statute requires that the notice be given to the District of Columbia within 100, or a written notice within 180-days of the accident, or the claimant will be forever barred from recovering. The statute dictates exactly what needs to be in the letter. It includes certain indexing or background information of the claimant, we put in there the dates of birth, client’s social security number. If the vehicle or the trash truck that caused the accident is a private vehicle, then the claim is against the private company that operates and owns the trash truck. Additionally, if a lawsuit is filed, a lawsuit would name both the trash company and the driver of the trash truck.
If an accident was caused by the negligence of the driver or the negligence of somebody who did not repair the vehicle correctly or had the vehicle in a state of disrepair, the repair company could be held liable.
Sovereign immunity means that a claimant cannot make a claim against the government. There are many exceptions to that rule. If a trash truck was a government vehicle, there are all sorts of requirements regarding notice.
Often, when there is negligence on the part of a government vehicle, it may be necessary to show a different type of negligence in order to make a recovery. If it was a police vehicle or fire vehicle, or an ambulance of D.C., they must show gross negligence on the part of the government vehicle in order to make a recovery against the government.
Accidents involving garbage trucks are known to be complicated and difficult to handle. Fortunately, an experienced DC garbage truck accident attorney has the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to take on the case. Get in touch with a dedicated attorney to learn more about how they could help you get the compensation you need today.
Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.