Miami Dump Truck Accident Lawyer
Dump trucks are vehicles commonly used to haul construction materials to and from job sites. As with all commercial vehicles, dump trucks pose additional safety risks that make them especially prone to causing accidents. For example, dump trucks typically have an open-box bed, which means cargo can fall out of the bed and strike another vehicle on the road.
The Miami dump truck accident lawyers at Pike & Lustig, LLP, represent individuals who have suffered serious injuries as the result of a collision involving a dump truck. We understand the unique legal challenges arising from dump truck litigation, and our team will make every effort to ensure that victims and their families receive full and fair compensation for their losses.
How Dump Truck Accidents Occur in Miami
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 809 deaths of construction and extraction workers between 2011 and 2020 in dump truck accidents. This only represents reported deaths within the construction industry itself. Many more people are killed or seriously injured each year in dump truck accidents that occur on public highways.
So why do these accidents occur? There can be a number of reasons, but some of the more common causes of dump truck accidents in Miami include:
- Inexperienced Drivers — A dump truck is a specialized piece of construction equipment that requires careful supervision. Many construction companies hire inexperienced dump truck drivers and fail to properly train them in the safe handling of their new vehicles. This often leads to accidents when these drivers make critical mistakes.
- Tipped Skip — The “skip” is the term used to describe the open-box container of a dump truck. The skip must always be completely lowered when the dump truck is operating on the road. If the skip is tipped even slightly, it can destabilize the dump truck leading to a tipover accident.
- Overloading — Like all commercial vehicles used to transport cargo, dump trucks have a load capacity that must not be exceeded. The exact limit will depend on the dump truck’s configuration, but for a 2-axle vehicle used to haul light cargo, the maximum capacity is generally between 10 and 20 tons. Overloading a dump truck beyond capacity creates a significant risk of tipover.
- Maintenance — Companies that own and operate dump trucks need to conduct regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the vehicle–and all of its parts–are in proper working order. Improper maintenance can lead to a catastrophic mechanical failure while the dump truck is on the road, such as a blown tire or brake failure.
Our Miami Dump Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Under Florida law, anyone who suffers a serious injury in a dump truck accident has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent parties whose actions–or inactions–led to the crash. This can include the dump truck driver, the truck owner, the construction company that hired the vehicle, and even the mechanic who worked on the vehicle.
Our Miami dump truck accident lawyers can carefully review the facts of your case and advise you on the best course of action. Contact Pike & Lustig, LLP, today at 561-291-8298 to schedule a consultation.
