Crashes on Interstate 75 are an unfortunately common occurrence, but it’s rare that an incident is caused by a dump truck. Approximately 2,400 dump truck collisions happen every year, 100 of which are fatal. Drivers who collide with dump trucks often suffer from life-threatening injuries.
The Story: 2 Injured After Dump Truck Crashes into Bridge
On November 7th, 2022, at 10:20 a.m., The Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a 2 vehicle crash on State Route 63 in Monroe. Two people were transferred to a hospital after a garbage truck struck the S.R. 63 bridge, which caused debris to fall onto Interstate 75 (I-75).
The man responsible was driving a 2021 Kenworth garbage truck eastbound on State Route 63 when he collided with a 2013 Hyundai hatchback. Immediately after hitting the Hyundai, the truck lost control and rammed into the bridge. This force caused debris to strike other cars.
While the Hyundai driver suffered minor injuries, the Kenworth driver had life-threatening injuries. Both were immediately transported to Atrium Hospital in Middletown to be examined.
Can You Receive Compensation if You’re Hit by a Truck?
Drivers can receive compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more if the truck driver is found at fault for the accident. However, you should speak to a local attorney if you were hit while driving out of state, as they know the laws of their jurisdiction.
For example, if you were hit near Allentown, Pennsylvania, you should consult an Allentown truck accident lawyer, such as the ones at Munley Law. They have offices all throughout the state, including in Scranton, Hazelton, Pittsburg, Carbondale, Stroudsburg, and Philadelphia.
With that said, you have to act quickly after an accident. Temporary pieces of evidence could be lost or destroyed, like driver’s logs, if you wait too long, and those will be needed for your case.
How Dump Trucks Jeopardize Public and Employee Safety
Driver negligence is a big reason why people die behind the wheel. Distracted and drunk drivers make up the bulk of vehicle fatalities, but are the statistics consistent for garbage truck drivers?
Why Garbage Truck Operators Get in Accidents
Private waste collection companies routinely treat their employees poorly. Private investigations have revealed that operators work 10 to 14-hour days, 6 days a week. They often suffer from burnout and drive without rest, which results in them losing focus or sleeping behind the wheel.
While sudden stops and starts are a part of the job, some operators will brake too quickly. This can cause drivers to collide with parked trucks, which could lead to injury or death.
However, even responsible drivers can still get into crashes because they have to operate in low-light conditions. Operators have no control over the general maintenance of their trucks, which leads to accidents caused by sudden brake failure, icy roads, engine stalls, and bald tires.
Who Gets Hurt in a Garbage Truck Collision?
Tragically, waste management employees are more likely to get hurt by garbage truck collisions than any other demographic. Based on OSHA data, truck drivers get hit by the truck while outside of it or by the arm that picks up waste bins, causing broken bones and lacerated limbs.
Due to all those sudden starts and stops, operators are often flung off the top of a moving truck. A child may also get hit while crossing the street if they assume the truck isn’t going to move.
Other drivers and bicyclists are also common victims of garbage truck accidents, but there are also several accidents involving the public. Sometimes, the truck’s arm will hit or launch people into the air, or the truck will hit a pedestrian, usually because the operator was being negligent.
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