Dump trucks are among the most common pieces of heavy machinery on construction sites in New York City. They haul materials – including sand, gravel, dirt, rocks, and debris – to and from the tens of thousands of construction sites across the five boroughs. Unfortunately, dump trucks can be difficult to navigate safely, especially when operators aren’t properly trained or licensed.
This can result in serious dump truck accidents in which construction workers and bystanders can suffer serious, if not fatal, injuries. In fact, dozens of construction workers in the United States are injured in dump truck-related accidents every year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, dump trucks were involved in 5,829 injury crashes and 383 fatal collisions in 2018. If you’ve been hurt in a dump truck accident in New York City, it’ll be important to contact an experienced New York truck accident attorney as soon as you can.
What Causes Most Dump Truck Accidents?
Generally speaking, dump trucks weighing more than 26,001 pounds are subject to FMCSA trucking regulations. This means they can only be operated by a construction worker with at least a Class B CDL, if not a Class A CDL. In theory, this means that dump trucks are operated by construction workers who understand how the vehicles operate, know how to inspect the dump truck regularly, and appreciate the importance of complying with federal safety regulations and local New York traffic laws.
This should reduce the number of accidents involving dump trucks and minimize potential injuries and wrongful deaths. However, most dump truck accidents are caused by human error, indicating that FMCSA trucking regulations and New York construction laws are either disregarded, ignored, or forgotten. This is clear when some of the leading causes of dump truck accidents include:
- Improper backing
- Distracted driving
- Tire blowouts
- Overloaded box beds
- Unevenly loaded dump beds
- Dump bed hydraulic system failures
- Speeding, especially on uneven terrain or in bad weather conditions
- Improper braking
- Blind spot errors
- Aggressive driving
- Mechanical failures
- Poor maintenance
- Improper flow during dumping
- Improper operation on soft surfaces, uneven ground, or slopes
Dump trucks are particularly prone to tipping over or overturning. Dump truck rollovers can occur when the dump beds are overloaded or when materials are being unloaded. As the vehicle’s weight changes, it can cause the dump truck’s center of gravity to shift and the vehicle itself to tip over. Many of these dump truck accidents can be avoided by ensuring that only those construction workers who understand the unique attributes and functions of these vehicles are permitted to operate them.
Are There Different Types of Dump Trucks?
Yes. There are several different types of dump trucks that are used on New York City construction sites and drive on the state’s roads and highways. These include:
- Standard dump trucks
- Transfer dump trucks
- Off-highway dump trucks
- Articulated dump trucks (ADT)
- Side dump trucks
- Bottom dump trucks
These trucks aren’t just used in construction – they’re also used in landscaping, waste management, infrastructure maintenance, and agriculture. Every dump truck has unique qualities and functions.
When you get into an accident with a dump truck, it’s going to be important to work with a personal injury attorney who understands how these differences can potentially affect your case.
At The Platta Law Firm, we have extensive experience litigating construction accident cases and truck accident cases.
Our NYC truck accident attorneys have developed detail-oriented investigative strategies that hone in on the details that matter, identify which evidence is most instructive and beneficial when building a personal injury claim, and understand the highly specialized rules and regulations most likely to affect a dump truck accident case.
What Should I Do After a Dump Truck Accident in New York City?
Protect your rights and increase the odds of recovering full compensation for your dump truck accident injuries by:
- Reporting the dump truck accident to the construction site supervisor, your employer, and/or the New York Police Department immediately.
- Documenting property damage and physical injuries.
- Getting the names and contact information for eyewitnesses.
- Seeking prompt medical attention to ensure that all of your truck accident injuries are diagnosed and documented.
- Refusing to take responsibility for the dump truck accident, even if others are adamant that it’s your fault.
- Refusing to accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer, especially if you haven’t consulted an attorney.
- Contacting an experienced truck accident lawyer near you in New York City as soon as you can.
Whether you’re a construction worker or an occupant of a passenger vehicle, you’ll have limited time to seek compensation after a dump truck accident in New York. The sooner you call The Platta Law Firm for help, the sooner we can get to work to help you recover the money you’ll need to cover medical bills and lost wages, and, in some cases, the pain and suffering you’ve experienced because of the crash.
We’ve helped injury victims in New York win hundreds of millions in damages by taking on powerful trucking services, insurance companies, auto manufacturers, and government agencies. Contact our personal injury law firm at (212) 514-5100 today to find out how we might be able to help you win big after your dump truck accident, too.