A Florida garbage truck accident can turn an ordinary day into a life-altering event in a matter of seconds. These massive vehicles travel through residential neighborhoods on a daily basis, making frequent stops and operating in tight spaces where pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are always nearby. Unfortunately, these collisions have the potential to result in significant injuries and damages relative to the average car accident.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Florida accident involving a garbage truck in Florida, you may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the responsible party, depending on the facts of your case. Learn more about how these truck accident cases work below so that you can protect your legal rights and interests.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Florida Garbage Truck Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, several different parties could potentially bear financial responsibility. These may include:
- The driver of the garbage truck
- The private waste collection company that employed the driver
- A local government agency that owned and operated the truck
- The manufacturer of a defective truck part or component
In any of these scenarios, you would generally need to show that the responsible party failed to act with reasonable care in a way that caused your injuries. Keep in mind, however, that if your claim involves a government-operated truck, additional procedural requirements may apply under Florida Statutes § 768.28, which makes it all the more important to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer early on.
What Should I Do After a Garbage Truck Accident in Florida?
The actions you take right after a garbage truck collision can have a real impact on the strength of your legal claim. To protect yourself, keep the following steps in mind:
- Contact law enforcement so that an official report of the accident is created.
- Avoid making any statements that could be interpreted as accepting fault.
- Document the scene by taking photographs and videos of anything that might be relevant, including your injuries and the surrounding area.
- Get medical attention as quickly as possible, even if your injuries do not seem serious at first.
- Reach out to a personal injury lawyer before engaging with any insurance companies.
This last point is particularly important in garbage truck cases, where the opposing party’s legal teams may already be working to limit their exposure before you even realize the full scope of your injuries.
Contact a Florida Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
Were you injured in a garbage truck accident in Florida? Substantial compensation may be available to you from the at-fault party, but you may need to hire an attorney to help you actually recover the full value of your claim.
Get in touch with Elliott Law Firm today at (800) 300-0303 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what you should do next. We have a longstanding track record of success in this area of the law that you can count on.