If you are involved in a commercial vehicle wreck with a dump truck, schedule an appointment with a commercial vehicle wreck attorney who has experience with dump truck accidents. These types of vehicles are designed differently, and you will have a different experience than if you had an accident with an 18-wheeler.
Understanding Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks are designed to transport materials and loose gravel. It has an open box that can be raised or lowered. The weight of the materials the dump truck is transporting can make them very heavy, and this can make it more difficult for the dump truck to stop suddenly. When the truck hits your passenger vehicle, the results can be devastating and are likely to lead to severe injuries.
Dump trucks are very difficult to maneuver and are unstable compared with other commercial vehicles. Therefore, a dump truck driver must be trained on how to properly drive this type of vehicle. Even for drivers who are trained properly, some are required to work long hours and may make a mistake due to exhaustion.
In other cases, the dump truck driver should have never been hired in the first place. He or she might be distracted or might have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Regardless of the cause, you should speak with a commercial vehicle wreck attorney to determine if the accident was the result of negligence.
Where Dump Truck Accidents Occur
You're the most likely to be in a dump truck accident when you are nearby a construction site and the dump truck operator is heading to and from the site. When driving through a construction site, the construction crew is responsible for guiding motorists through. Speak with a commercial vehicle wreck attorney if you're curious about whether the construction manager is responsible for a negligent construction site.
Some Dump Trucks Are Defective
Dump trucks use hydraulics to raise and lower the box. Sometimes, the hydraulics might be defective and the box might unload the debris onto your car. Also, given how difficult it is to stop a dump truck, the brakes need to be in great condition. The construction company, or the company that they rent their dump trucks from, is responsible for making sure that the dump truck is in good condition and safe to operate. However, with the help of a commercial vehicle wreck attorney, you'll know how to proceed with your case.