Baton Rouge Garbage Truck Driver Injury Lawyer

Baton Rouge Garbage Truck Driver Injury Attorney

Garbage truck drivers and garbage collectors provide an essential service to maintain sanitation in communities. This work also has many risks, and it is one of the more hazardous forms of employment. If you are injured on the job because of a vehicle crash or hazardous waste products, a Baton Rouge garbage truck driver injury lawyer can help you review your options for financial recovery and help you get the most out of a potential claim.

It’s important to work with a Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer who understands the unique regulatory requirements for the garbage collection industry and the complexities of the workers’ compensation insurance system. At The Lucky Law Firm, PLC, we can help you. Injuries in a truck accident or other work injury can cause you a lot of personal and financial loss. Securing financial recovery through workers’ compensation or other claims can help you significantly.

For nearly 15 years, our firm has fought for the rights of those injured. We believe in providing accessible legal representation, and so we answer calls all day and ensure effective communication with those we represent. When you are injured on the job, you cannot assume your employer and their insurance will operate in good faith. By working with our team, we can protect your interests and rights to fight for the maximum financial recovery possible.

Hazards Faced by Garbage Collectors in Baton Rouge

Garbage collectors often work with dangerous materials, operate potentially dangerous machinery, and drive vehicles in many road conditions. In 2023, there were about 148,400 jobs collecting trash and recyclable materials in the U.S. Garbage collectors and truck drivers can face many hazards, including:

• Transportation accidents. Like any vehicle on the road, garbage trucks can be involved in vehicle collisions. There were approximately 1,200 injury crashes in the U.S. involving garbage and refuse trucks in 2020, and 80 fatal crashes. These crashes may be the fault of any involved driver or another party.Garbage collectors can also be involved in vehicle accidents when they are not in their vehicles, putting them at an increasingly high risk of catastrophic injury or death. Vehicle collisions or accidents that are another party’s fault may allow a garbage truck driver to also file a personal injury claim in addition to benefits from workers’ compensation.
• Loading injuries. Garbage collectors can also suffer injuries from loading and unloading garbage loads. These may be sudden sprains, strains, tears, or long-term repetitive motion injuries developed over time. If your injury developed over time due to your work, it is crucial to file a claim for compensation as soon as you are aware of the injury.
• Slips and falls. Garbage trucks often operate in low-visibility and dangerous weather, which can lead to slips and falls. Slip and fall accidents can happen even in clear weather due to uneven ground, repeated disembarking from the truck, or spills around garbage. These injuries can be minor or severe, depending on the height of the fall and other factors.
• Equipment accidents. Garbage trucks use heavy machinery to empty garbage bins and containers to make things easier for employees. However, employees can also be put at risk by this machinery, such as being struck by or caught in the equipment. Malfunctions of the machinery can also pose serious risks.
• Harmful exposure. Garbage collection includes the collection of hazardous materials, especially when dangerous materials are not properly disposed of. Garbage collectors can be exposed to toxic chemicals, broken glass, sharp metal, needles, and other dangerous objects. Persons in the United States generate approximately 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste each year.

What Should You Do After a Garbage Truck Accident?

It’s always important to get medical attention when you are injured, and if you are in a vehicle collision, you should get treatment even if you believe you are uninjured. Hospitals near Baton Rouge include Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge, located at 17000 Medical Center Drive, and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center on 5000 Hennessy Boulevard. Medical treatment protects your health and is important documentation for a claim.

Report your accident and injuries to your employer as soon as you can. Get in contact with an experienced attorney to better protect your rights during this process.

FAQs About Garbage Truck Driver Injury Law in Baton Rouge,LA

What Happens if You Are in an Accident Driving a Garbage Truck?

If you are in an accident while driving a garbage truck for work, you can likely recover compensation through a workers’ compensation claim. If you need emergency medical care, you should get that immediately.

If you can, report the accident to your employer. They may inform you which medical providers are preferred by their workers’ compensation insurance. You should be able to recover medical bills and a portion of the wages you couldn’t earn during recovery.

Can a Garbage Truck Driver Be Sued?

Depending on the circumstances of an accident, a garbage truck driver could be sued for causing an accident. However, if the truck driver works for a governmental waste disposal agency, they likely have unique legal protections. When a truck driver works for a private company, their employer may be vicariously liable for the accident, and the driver may not be held directly liable. An attorney can help you determine what applies to your situation.

What Is the Most Common Injury for Garbage Collectors?

There are several common injuries that garbage collectors deal with, including:

• Sprains, strains, and tears from heavy lifting
• Cut and lacerations from sharp objects in the trash
• Infections, diseases, respiratory diseases, and chemical burns from exposure to substances
• Broken bones and crushing injuries from caught-by accidents
• Collision injuries from vehicle crashes, including whiplash or internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries from slips and falls

Do Garbage Trucks Have Insurance?

Yes, garbage trucks generally have insurance coverage. This commercial insurance coverage applies to personal injury and property damage from vehicle collisions. If another vehicle is in a collision with a garbage truck, this insurance can be used to cover damage to the vehicles and, potentially, the costs of injuries, depending on who was at fault. Employees who are injured in these accidents and in other ways during their job duties can recover damages through workers’ compensation claims.

Navigating an Injury as a Garbage Truck Driver

Workers’ compensation can recover medical bills and partial wages, while a civil claim can recover additional damages if you can prove negligence. The Lucky Law Firm, PLC, can help you navigate a claim and determine what damages you can recover. Contact our firm today.