Dump Truck Accidents
Dump Truck Accidents
One of the most common large vehicles on the road, a dump truck is often used to transport loose materials such as sand, gravel, or dirt. It features a hydraulically operated open bed that lifts, allowing its contents to slide to the ground behind the truck at the delivery site.
When driven properly, a dump truck is an indispensable tool for the construction industry and others. However, these valuable vehicles are frequently operated without adequate driver training or vehicle maintenance, making them a common cause of large vehicle accidents. Depending on the circumstances, both the dump truck driver and the trucking company may be held responsible for a dump truck accident.
Heavy Loads Lead to Hazards on the Road
The dump truck accident lawyers at Truck Wreck Justice have found that dump truck drivers are often paid based on the weight of their loads. This payment structure creates incentives to overload trucks, making them more difficult to stop, more likely to roll over, and prone to releasing dangerous debris that can strike vehicles and cause serious injuries. Our investigations of past cases also reveal that some dump truck drivers try to increase their earnings by making as many trips as possible each day, frequently resulting in speeding and reckless driving.
Dump trucks and their substantial loads are subject to the same federal and state regulations as 18-wheelers, namely the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations. Many attorneys may not be familiar with the nuances of these complex regulations or the specific challenges involved in dump truck accident cases. Therefore, an attorney with prior experience handling dump truck accidents is often the best choice for these types of cases.