Dump Truck Accident Lawyers KY
Dump trucks are large, heavy trucks that aren’t always loaded or driven safely. They can cause injuries and deaths due to accidents involving other vehicles, pedestrians, and people at worksites, where they pick up and dump off loads. If you or a loved one are injured or killed due to a dump truck, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC may help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Why are Dump Trucks Dangerous?
- They Make Frequent Stops
They go to worksites, dump off loads, pull over for breaks, and stop for fuel. Owner-operators are paid by the load, not for their time. They have an incentive to haul as many loads as possible, which encourages speeding and unsafe driving. The more any driver comes and goes, stops and starts, it increases the chance a mistake and an accident will happen.
Dump trucks may stop on roads or interstates where they’re being repaired or constructed. If they don’t use signal lights, other drivers may not be ready for the truck’s next move. Pulling onto a road and cutting off another driver could cause an accident.
- Trucks are Improperly Loaded
The cargo may be dirt, rocks, sand, trash, or construction materials. It may be loaded without much thought:
- The load may be heavier than what the truck can safely handle
- If the load’s imbalanced, it can affect how the dump truck handles and stops, especially at highway speeds or if traction is bad
If the back isn’t covered, parts of a loose load may come off the truck and onto the road or nearby pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or vehicles, causing an accident.
- They May Be Difficult to Maneuver and Stop
These are heavy trucks with wide turning circles. Even without a load, stopping may take them a long distance. If they’re fully loaded, traction is poor, and the driver’s speeding, that distance may be so long the driver will be unable to stop in time to prevent an accident with an object, vehicle, or pedestrian in front of it.
Dump Truck Dangers by the Numbers
Dump trucks are considered “large trucks” by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For 2020, their statistics show:
- 4,998 buses and large trucks were involved in fatal crashes
- There were about 108,000 large truck accidents causing injuries
- Single-vehicle crashes involving bicyclists or pedestrians made up 22% of all fatal crashes and 16% of all injury crashes
- About 54% of fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in rural areas, 27% happened on interstate highways
- At least one large truck was involved in 26% of fatal crashes and 15% of injury crashes in work zones
- Only one person died in 90% of fatal crashes involving large trucks. About 83% of the time, the people killed were outside the truck. There were pedestrians, in other vehicles, on bicycles or motorcycles
The Kentucky State Police reports that for 2021, trucks were involved in 106 fatal collisions and 1,315 accidents causing injuries. Most of them happened on interstates and state routes.
The most common contributing truck factors were loads not appropriately secured, tire failure, and defective brakes. The top contributing factors for drivers were not paying attention, misjudging clearance, and not keeping the truck under control.
Speak To a Dump Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a family member is injured in a dump truck accident in Kentucky, our law firm can and will help you handle legal matters with confidence. Put boots on the ground with help from Satterley & Kelley PLLC.
To schedule a free initial consultation at our Louisville office, call 502-589-5600 (toll-free at 855-385-9532) or complete our contact form today.
Visit our truck accident page for more related information.