Nashville Garbage Truck Lawyers

Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers in Nashville

Strong advocacy when dump trucks cause accidents in Tennessee

Garbage trucks perform an important service in Nashville, but they can also lead to tragic or traumatic results because cars and SUVs are no match for the size and weight of these vehicles. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers have more than 25 years of experience fighting for personal injury victims, including truck accident victims. We have obtained more than $250 million for our clients. Our Nashville garbage truck accident lawyers understand why garbage truck accidents happen, who is responsible, and how to maximize your damage claim. Call us now to assert your right to compensation if a garbage truck injured you or took the life of a loved one.

Cases We Handle

Nashville personal injury lawyer

How can we help?

"When I was a teenager, Dad got hurt. Insurance company wouldn't pay. We lost our house. But, Dad got a lawyer and we got justice. That's the moment I decided to become an attorney. As a lawyer, I have dedicated my life to helping injury victims."

~ Rocky

What are the different types of garbage trucks?

Garbage trucks (also called dump trucks) pick up garbage at residences, apartment complexes, businesses, and many other locations throughout Nashville. These trucks then take the garbage and haul it to a nearby landfill or recycling center. The whole process of picking up and transporting garbage is called waste collection. Garbage collection is usually a public service, although there are public garbage collection companies, too.

Nashville does have some restrictions on what items can be placed in your trash can. Certain items must be placed in recycling bins, set aside for brush collection, taken to local convenience centers, or taken by private waste collectors.

Why are garbage truck accidents dangerous?

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we represent drivers and passengers in any vehicles who are injured by a garbage truck. We also represent pedestrians and bicycle riders if they are struck by a garbage truck or garbage or debris falls on them. Our lawyers also represent families if a loved one dies due to a garbage truck accident in Nashville.

It is not just the size and weight of garbage trucks that are dangerous. Garbage trucks make numerous stops during their routes, which can make it hard for drivers to know when to stop, which lane to move to, and how to maneuver their vehicle around the garbage truck.

Why do garbage truck accidents happen in Nashville?

Our Nashville garbage truck accident lawyers work with investigators, the police, witnesses, and others to show the cause of your accident and why the accident was preventable.

Some of the common reasons garbage trucks happen in Tennessee include:

  • Driver distraction. Many garbage truck drivers may not understand which roads to take, so they look at their GPS instead of the traffic. Drivers who text, use a cell phone, eat, or drink while driving can cause accidents.
  • Driver negligence. Garbage truck drivers can cause accidents if they fail to use their turn signals, drive through stop signs, speed, fail to look for pedestrians, and if they are careless in other ways.
  • Improper loading procedures. Accidents may occur if a garbage truck driver fails to see other cars while maneuvering to position their truck to pick up the garbage carts or bins. Improper loading procedures can also cause the truck to move or shift during the pickup.
  • Narrow streets and roadways. Garbage trucks are generally wider than most cars and often take up most of a lane of travel. Garbage truck drivers may cause accidents while they are driving down neighborhood streets, especially if there are parked cars. They may also cause accidents when turning at intersections and because they make visibility harder for drivers on neighborhood streets and main roads.
  • Defective truck parts and truck maintenance. Defective brakes, tires, and other defective garbage truck parts can cause accidents in Nashville. The owners of the trucks should regularly inspect their trucks and make quality repairs.
  • Blind spots. Garbage trucks have dangerous blind spots, which makes it hard for drivers to see behind and to the sides of their trucks. Drivers and garbage truck owners should understand how to handle blind spots.

What types of injuries do garbage truck accidents cause?

When garbage truck accidents happen, the consequences are likely to be catastrophic or severe. Garbage truck accidents can be deadly.

Our Nashville garbage truck accident lawyers handle the following types of personal injuries:

Who is liable when garbage truck accidents happen in Nashville?

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we hold everyone responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one due to a garbage truck accident. We file personal injury claims and wrongful death claims against the following responsible parties:

  • The driver of the garbage truck
  • A coworker who assisted the driver in the routes and picking up the loads
  • The driver’s employer is generally vicariously (directly) liable for the negligence of their employee
  • The owner of the truck
  • A manufacturer of defective garbage truck parts, including the mechanisms to pick up the garbage or operate the truck
  • The Tennessee Department of Transportation or other state or local government agencies/entities for failing to properly design or maintain the garbage truck routes

The employer may be the city of Nashville or other government agencies – or the employer may be a private business. There are generally special rules and time limits for filing claims against any governmental agency or entity.

How much is a garbage truck accident claim worth in Tennessee?

If you were injured in a garbage truck-related accident, you have bills to pay, injuries that hurt every day, and you need compensation. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we work with your doctors to understand the scope and severity of your injuries, including all the medical attention you will need. We work with your employer, life planners if your injuries are catastrophic, and others.

Our truck accident lawyers demand compensation for all your current and future:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income and lost benefits
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Property damage
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
  • Loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations)
  • Punitive damages if the negligence is unconscionable

If a close relative (such as a spouse, parent, or child) dies, we seek wrongful death damages, which include the funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, and the loss of personal love and guidance.

Our Nashville garbage truck accident lawyers handle dump truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means we only receive compensation if you do.

Do you have a Nashville garbage truck accident lawyer near me?

Rocky McElhaney Law Firm has two offices in Nashville: one at 545 Mainstream Dr., Suite 105 and one at 615 Main Street, B21. If you are too injured to come to our offices, we can make alternate arrangements to see you. Our lawyers also offer phone or video consultations.

We are here to help you through this difficult time.

Call our experienced Nashville garbage truck accident lawyers today

If you were injured or a loved one died in a waste collection accident, call Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today or fill out our contact form. Our truck accident lawyers are respected throughout Nashville for our dedication to our clients and our record of impressive recoveries. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we fight for clients in Nashville, East Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, and throughout Tennessee.