If you were injured or your property was damaged by a garbage or recycling truck in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, an Illinois garbage-truck accident attorney can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, repairs, and scarring. Act quickly to document the crash and preserve video, route logs, and insurance evidence.
What To Do Now
- Get medical care and keep records.
- Call police and obtain the report number.
- Photograph vehicles, scene, and any leaking materials.
- Collect the truck’s company name, unit number, and witness contacts.
- Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything.
- Call Blumenshine Law Group at (312) 766-1000 or start your free case review.
Garbage collection is among the most dangerous jobs. Chicago crashes can stem from slippery roads, falling loads, hazardous materials, equipment failures, or sharp debris. Victims include motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and sanitation workers. The sooner evidence is preserved, the stronger your case.
Risks for Illinois Motorists in Trash Collection Accidents
Trash and garbage truck workers aren’t the only ones at risk — many Illinois motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists also face dangers every year due to accidents related to trash collection. It’s important to remember how these activities can impact everyone around them.
Recently in Chicago, during the early morning hours, a tragic accident occurred when a garbage truck collided with a vehicle, resulting in the death of the passenger and serious injuries to the driver. In another unfortunate incident, a trash truck fell and crushed a nearby car, which was described as being “pancaked.” Thankfully, the driver of that car was taken to the hospital and only sustained minor injuries. Our thoughts are with those affected by these accidents.
Most Common Causes of Trash, Waste, and Garbage Truck Accidents
For many reasons, trash, waste, and garbage trucks are susceptible to injury-causing accidents. Some of the most common incidents are:
- Garbage trucks weigh about 33,000 pounds when empty and up to 51,000 pounds when fully loaded. They are cumbersome and not easy for drivers to turn, which can cause them to tip over unexpectedly if the load gets unbalanced or the driver turns sharply. Not long ago, a waste truck driver in Crest Hill, Illinois, was trapped when his garbage truck turned over.
- Drivers cannot look directly behind the vehicle using the rearview mirror. They only have side mirrors to use, which means they have blind spots. However, most trucks should have cameras.
- Garbage trucks frequently start and stop in unpredictable ways, which creates a danger to other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists who may be caught by surprise by the actions of the truck.
- Trucks often back up without warning and sometimes go the wrong way down a street.
- Garbage trucks have a lot of mechanical equipment that can malfunction and cause an accident.
- Objects or debris can fall off of a truck and hit people nearby or create a road hazard, causing vehicles or cyclists to hit the debris before there is time to remove it.
- Waste removal companies have a tight schedule. Due to the trucks’ noise, general local ordinances prohibit drivers from picking up trash during certain hours. This means they must have all the trash collected in their assigned geographical collection area on a strict schedule. When there are holidays or bad weather, the workload can double, but the time to complete it is the same. Working faster means less attention to detail, which results in more accidents.
- Truck operators may not take time to use the safety features that may be available. For example, a backup camera that shows the area directly behind the truck only prevents accidents if the garbage truck driver uses it.
Steps to Take After an Accident
If involved in a garbage truck accident, follow these critical steps to protect your rights and strengthen your case:
1. Prioritize Safety and Medical Care
- Move to a safe location if possible.
- Call 911 immediately for medical assistance and police documentation.
- Seek medical evaluation even for non-visible injuries (e.g., internal bleeding).
2. Document Evidence Thoroughly
- Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, injuries, skid marks, and debris.
- Collect witness contact information and note the garbage truck’s operating company/municipality.
- Preserve the vehicle and any defective parts—do not repair or discard.
3. Report the Incident
- Ensure law enforcement files an official accident report.
- Avoid discussing fault or apologizing to drivers, insurers, or on social media.
4. Notify Insurers and Preserve Records
- Inform your insurance provider, but defer detailed statements until consulting an attorney.
- Keep records of medical bills, lost wages, and accident-related expenses.
5. Consult a Garbage Truck Accident Attorney
- Contact a lawyer immediately to navigate liability complexities (e.g., municipal vs. private entities).
- Legal counsel ensures deadline compliance.
Proactive steps ensure evidence preservation and compliance with legal protocols, maximizing your ability to recover compensation for injuries, property damage, and emotional distress.
Why You Need a Illinois Garbage Truck Attorney
If you are injured due to a garbage truck accident, we understand how difficult this time can be. It’s important to carefully investigate and gather all necessary evidence, like witness statements and photographs, to help support your case. Ensuring that the involved companies preserve the vehicle and other evidence promptly can be very helpful. Acting quickly is key, as timely action can often be the difference between a successful outcome and an uphill battle.
Potential Liability and Complexities Beyond the Driver
There may be others responsible for the accident and your injuries. The waste management company owner who owns the trucks and contracts with the city for services may not have adequately maintained or equipped the trash truck. Multiple parties may result in several different insurance companies becoming involved.
Each company may have different liability policy limits. They may argue about who or what is to blame for the accident. Expert testimony is often needed concerning the driver’s actions and the truck’s condition. Additionally, you may need guidance and input on your recovery from your injuries.
Our Illinois Garbage Truck Attorneys have many years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for injuries resulting from trucking accidents. We thoroughly investigate the case, advise you throughout the process, and know when expert testimony is necessary to support your case.
Although there are no guarantees in the legal system, we can guarantee that we will fight hard and relentlessly to ensure you are compensated for your losses by those responsible. This includes gathering and securing evidence, collecting for your current and future medical expenses, current and future lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other loss you may have suffered.
Contact us for a free consultation or call or text us at (312)766-1000.