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There are many garbage trucks in our communities every day. Most frequently, they are on smaller, narrower streets. They make multiple stops and have workers on foot around them. When accidents happen, they usually cause serious injuries.

On April 6, 2021, the Fort Myers Fire Department responded to a vehicle crash involving a pickup truck and a garbage truck. The crash happened at Dynasty Drive and Colonial Boulevard. The pickup truck driver was pinned inside and suffered injuries, according to the fire department. Responders transported the accident victim to a trauma center.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports garbage truck accidents often involve serious burns, brain injuries, crush injuries, and wrongful death.  They are caused by driver negligence, defective equipment, falling objects, and/or poor maintenance.

• Driver Negligence: A garbage truck driver may be negligent if he/she is distracted or operates the vehicle in an unsafe manner. It is the garbage truck driver’s responsibility to control the truck. The driver should not speed or operate the truck while fatigued, ill, or on medication which hinders a driver’s ability to concentrate. Often garbage trucks encounter children, other pedestrians, and bicyclists when performing their rounds. Distractions can lead to accidents. 

• Defective Equipment: Garbage trucks have complex equipment which may be defective. Compactors can malfunction causing debris to fall onto roads or other vehicles. Other equipment may also be defective. 

• Falling Objects: Garbage truck employees may not exercise due care when they throw refuse into the garbage truck. Not all debris tossed into a garbage truck is captured by the compactor. Some loose debris can fall off. If it has significant weight or is sharp, it can cause accidents with vehicles around them as they swerve to avoid hitting the objects. Falling debris can also strike windshields of passing vehicles, hampering a driver's visibility. 

• Poor Maintenance: Garbage truck owners are required by law to maintain their vehicles. Poor maintenance increases the risk of accidents.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Florida law regulate the trucking industry, including garbage truck companies. Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. references Florida and FMCSA laws to determine whether garbage trucks are properly maintained, drivers and other employees are properly trained and comply with sleep and other requirements. Fort Myers truck accident attorneys consult with Florida trucking experts to determine how an accident occurred and how it could have been avoided.

“Should you or a loved one be injured in a garbage truck accident, please contact our experienced Fort Myers truck accident legal team after seeking medical attention. We represent people involved in numerous types of personal injury and wrongful death accidents throughout the state of Florida. All of our clients have unique personal injury cases. Our firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation. There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you. We are available to assist you 24/7,” said Fort Myers Truck Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Truck Accident Attorney Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County at 239.793.7748.