Orange County Garbage Truck Accident Attorneys
Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers in Orange County, CA
You might not think of the truck that comes and collects your garbage every week as particularly dangerous. They are slow and cumbersome to navigate around, but do they really pose a threat?
Many people underestimate the risks of garbage trucks. In 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 107 fatalities connected to garbage trucks, with an additional 1,400 injuries.
Factors Contributing to Garbage Truck Accidents
Garbage trucks are dangerous for several reasons – they are heavy, they don’t turn easily, they have large blind spots, and they have to back up frequently. They pose a particular danger to pedestrians and children because of these elements. Though these vehicles and their operators perform an essential service, their poor visibility and handling pose a real threat to residents of Orange County, California.
A garbage truck can weigh as much as 50 tons fully loaded. They often weave in and out of traffic, which makes their movement more unpredictable. These erratic movements pose a danger to those who use the shoulder (i.e. bike lanes, pedestrians) as well as those who are small enough to fit completely into a garbage truck’s blind spot (motorcyclists, drivers of smaller motor vehicles).
Garbage trucks recently made headlines when an investigative journalist followed a private trash collection company based in New York. The company had installed cameras in their trucks, which showed drivers falling asleep while operating vehicles. Despite this, the crews were on the road up to 14 hours a day, six days per week.
When a person sustains injuries as the result of a garbage truck accident, they may be able to file a personal injury claim or wrongful death suit as compensation. A personal injury claim helps a victim of negligence pay for incurred medical costs, compensate for lost wages, and helps alleviate the financial stresses of recovering from an accident.
Elements of a Garbage Truck Accident Claim
The first step in filing a garbage truck accident claim is determining the responsible party. Like semi-truck and heavy tractor trailers, operators and managers of garbage trucks must adhere to federal regulations set forth by the FMCSA. These comprehensive rules establish standards that all companies, drivers, and employees must adhere to. Violation of these rules often determine who is responsible for a garbage truck accident.
In garbage truck accidents, one or more parties may be responsible for the injuries a person incurs. A few of the possible responsible parties include:
- The operator of the garbage truck. While the operator may cause the accident, liability often falls with the company who employs them. Examples include negligent hiring or failure to properly monitor employees.
- Municipal governments. Trash pick up services may be through private entities or through the local government. In the latter case, swift action is essential. Claims against the government feature shorter statutes of limitation and very specific filing processes. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a municipally operated garbage truck, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your options as soon as possible.
- The manufacturer of the truck or its component parts. In some cases, a truck may malfunction because a hydraulic arm gets stuck or a tire blows out, leading to another person’s injury. In this case, it is possible that the manufacturer of these parts is liable for any damages that result.
Why Consult with an Orange County California Personal Injury Attorney?
Personal injury claims in Orange County serve as an important avenue for recourse for injured people and their families. Victims of garbage truck accidents suffer both monetary and intangible losses as a result of another person’s negligence. By law, that person is eligible to collect damages to compensate for those losses. A victim of negligence may collect several different types of damages in a personal injury claim. Some possibilities include:
- Special damages cover tangible losses and expenses related to the injury or accident. Examples include, but are not limited to, lost wages, loss of earning potential (in the case of permanent or grievous injury), compensation for medical bills, the projected cost of future medical care, and any household expenses.
- General damages intend to compensate the victim for the immaterial losses resulting from the accident. For example, general damages may include payment for pain and suffering or mental anguish.
- Wrongful death damages intend to help a family pay for the costs associated with the loss of a loved one. They include payment for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial contribution, loss of partnership or consortium, and costs associated with pre-death medical care.
- Punitive damages, awarded in select circumstances, seek to punish the plaintiff for wrongdoing or wanton misconduct.
What To Do After a Garbage Truck Accident in Orange County, California
Claims involving garbage, recycling, and waste disposal trucks are often complex because they may require expert testimony, such as safety experts for the trucking industry. It’s also likely there are several insurance companies or policies involved. Claims involving local or municipal governments may also complicate matters. As such, it’s essential to seek help from an Orange County personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A personal injury attorney can help you better understand your options and decide on the next appropriate course of action. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help identify the party responsible for your injuries and hold them accountable for the damages their negligence caused.
The attorneys at Easton Law Firm understand the complexities that govern garbage accident cases. We have over 100 years of combined experience and are dedicated to those who have been seriously injured or endured the wrongful death of someone they love. If you require help understanding your legal options following a garbage truck accident, contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.
Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.
Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
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