Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks are widely used in mining operations, agriculture, landscaping, and construction. Because they haul dirt, gravel, rocks, debris, and other loose materials, their operation requires an elevated level of knowledge and skill. Most dump trucks are considered to be commercial vehicles and, in turn, are subject to both state and federal trucking regulations.
While these regulations offer guidance that can reduce the chances that a dump truck causes or is involved in a traffic accident, dump truck accidents are a fairly common problem on American roads.
According to the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration (FMCSA), thousands of dump truck accidents are recorded across the nation every year.
In 2021, dump trucks were involved in 9,027 towaway crashes, 5,651 injury crashes, and 476 fatal collisions. In fact, nearly 10 percent of all injury-causing truck accidents that year involved dump trucks.
What Causes Dump Truck Accidents?
While the concept behind a dump truck is fairly simple, the motor vehicle itself is actually quite complex. A lot of care and planning has to go into driving such a large vehicle, operating its various mechanisms, and ensuring that any materials in the dump body or tailgate are properly secured before, during, and after transport.
Unfortunately, dump truck operations aren’t always well thought out or placed in the best hands.
Some of the leading causes of dump truck accidents include:
- Negligent hiring: Unqualified drivers may not be able to anticipate ground conditions, appreciate how to properly secure materials in the tailgate, or have the practical driving skills necessary to maneuver the dump truck safely. However, companies might hire unqualified or less qualified drivers to cut down on the costs of doing business.
- Operator errors: Dump truck operators who are distracted, speed, operate a dump truck while drunk or impaired by drugs, fail to check blind spots appropriately, or make errors when braking can cause serious traffic accidents.
- Unsecured loads: Materials in a dump body must be secured properly and distributed evenly to reduce the risk of tip-overs and/or escaping from the confines of the truck. Unsecured loads can spill into the roadway and/or cause the dump truck driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Negligent maintenance: While the law mandates that dump trucks are inspected regularly, negligent maintenance can prevent dump truck operators from discovering defects or mechanical issues that can cause traffic accidents.
Often, violations of FMCSA trucking regulations play a significant role in dump truck accidents.
Who’s Liable For a Dump Truck Accident?
In Illinois, anyone who bears even the slightest responsibility for an accident involving a dump truck can be liable.
Since dump trucks are typically classified as commercial vehicles, there can be a long list of potentially liable parties, including the:
- Dump truck driver
- Company that’s leased the dump truck for use
- Company that owns and operates the dump truck
- Supervisors on sites where dump trucks are operated
- Transportation service
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Driver of a passenger vehicle
- Government agency if and when road conditions contribute to a dump truck accident
As the victim of a dump truck accident in Chicago, you shouldn’t have to stress about how to recover compensation or from whom. Focus on recovering from your critical truck accident injuries and count on Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC to help you demand compensation for your medical care, lost wages, property damage, and distress.
Our Chicago truck accident lawyers are respected, successful litigators with a multi-million-dollar track record of success. There’s a limited time to take action and assert your legal rights, so contact our Chicago law office for a free consultation today.