Waste Management, now officially branded as WM, is the largest waste disposal company in the United States. The company operates an enormous fleet of vehicles across the State of Florida that make hundreds of stops on tight schedules on any given day.
What sets WM apart from smaller haulers is the scale of its operations and the legal infrastructure behind it. This makes it more difficult, though certainly not impossible, to pursue and win a personal injury case after a wreck involving one of its vehicles. Continue reading for more information about these claims and how a Florida truck accident lawyer can help you take action.
What Makes a Florida Waste Management Accident Case Relatively Complex?
Truck accident cases involving WM tend to be more layered than a typical Florida car accident for several reasons. Learning about these complexities upfront can help you appreciate why professional legal guidance is so important:
- WM often operates under contracts with local municipalities, which can raise questions about whether the city or the company bears responsibility
- Multiple insurance policies may apply, depending on the type of truck involved and the nature of the route it was running
- The company’s internal investigation team will begin building its defense immediately, sometimes arriving at the scene before you have even left the hospital
- Automated collection equipment adds another dimension of potential liability if a mechanical malfunction caused or contributed to the crash
- Driver fatigue is a persistent concern, given the early start times and physically demanding nature of the work
Each of these factors can affect everything from whom you file your claim against to what strategy your personal injury lawyer needs to take.
How Can an Attorney Help With My Waste Management Truck Accident Case?
Going up against a company of this size on your own puts you at a serious disadvantage, making it wise to at least consider hiring a lawyer to represent you throughout the claims process and potentially beyond. Specific ways an attorney can assist include:
- Identifying every party that may share liability for the crash
- Sending a preservation letter to prevent WM from destroying evidence
- Reviewing the truck’s maintenance logs and the driver’s employment records
- Calculating the full scope of your economic and non-economic damages
- Managing all of the communications and settlement negotiations with the company’s insurance adjusters
- Filing a lawsuit within the applicable deadline if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Having legal representation in your corner also sends a message to the defendant. Companies like WM are far more likely to take a claim seriously when the victim has a lawyer who is prepared to take the case to court and all the way to trial if necessary.
Contact Elliott Law Firm for a Free Consultation After a WM Truck Accident in Florida
The sooner you involve a Florida attorney after a collision with a WM truck in Florida, the better your chances of preserving key evidence and building a successful case. Call Elliott Law Firm today at (800) 300-0303 for a free consultation to learn more about your best course of action. There is no cost to sit down with us and review the details of your accident, and we can help you determine what your claim may be worth from there.