Dump Truck Accident Lawyer

Dump trucks are an essential part of construction, mining, and other industries in California and throughout the country. They take necessary supplies to and from job sites, haul waste, and transport commodities. According to Ibis World, there are more than 28,000 dump truck businesses currently operating in the United States. Texas, California, and Illinois have the most dump truck businesses in the country.

With so many dump trucks operating on American roads, it should come as no surprise that accidents happen regularly. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), on average, a fatal dump truck accident happens at least once per day in the United States. Data shows that an average of 16 dump truck injury crashes happen each day.

The California law firm of Wisner Baum has decades of experience representing victims of dump truck accidents in our home state and nationwide. As dedicated truck safety advocates, our legal team wants you to understand your full legal rights if you or a member of your family sustains injuries in a dump truck accident.

If you would like to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer about pursuing a case, please contact us or call toll-free (855) 948-5098 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Dump Truck Accidents Are Capable of Causing Catastrophic Injury or Death

Like other semi-trailers on the road, dump trucks are large and heavy vehicles, capable of causing severe damage. According to government data, the average weight of a loaded dump truck is about 28,000 pounds.

Typically, dump truck drivers are paid by the amount of weight hauled or the number of dumps completed, which can incentivize drivers to haul more than they should or take risks on the road to complete more hauls. This is dangerous for a variety of reasons:

• Overloaded dump trucks are more difficult to stop.
• Overloaded dump trucks are more likely to roll over.
• Overloaded dump trucks are more likely to spill gravel, sand, or other debris onto the roadway or other vehicles.
• Drivers paid by the haul may speed or drive recklessly to complete as many trips as possible.

Even when dump trucks are loaded properly, the sheer size and weight make them difficult to operate, which is why dump truck drivers must receive proper training before they can be trusted on the road. As experienced accident attorneys, we have seen time and time again, trucking companies cut corners on driver training to move more freight and make more money. This recklessness and lack of care for the safety of their drivers and other motorists is, unfortunately, a common theme in truck accident lawsuits.

Of course, even the most seasoned and experienced dump truck drivers can have trouble overcoming poorly loaded cargo or mechanical failure.

Whatever the cause, when a dump truck is involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle, the damage is almost always far more severe for the occupants of the passenger vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in fatal accidents between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, 97% of the reported deaths were occupants of the passenger vehicles.

Dump Truck Industry Statistics

According to Ibis World, the dump truck industry generates roughly $19 billion in revenue and employs nearly 100,000 workers in the U.S. alone.

The states with the most dump truck driver jobs are:

• California - 25,051
• Illinois – 16,843
• Ohio – 15,690
• Texas – 12,818
• Pennsylvania – 11,604

Below are dump truck accident statistics from the FMCSA:

Causes of Dump Truck Crashes