Lafayette Garbage Truck Driver Injury Lawyer

Lafayette Garbage Truck Driver Injury Attorney

The work that garbage truck drivers do in Louisiana is essential, but also very dangerous. In addition to the potential for vehicle collisions, garbage truck drivers deal with heavy equipment, dangerous materials, and aggressive drivers every day. When you sustain an injury on the job as a sanitation worker, getting compensation to make up for missed work and medical bills is crucial. A Lafayette garbage truck driver injury lawyer from our firm can help you seek justice.

Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC: Protecting Residents of Lafayette

As a sanitation worker in Lafayette, you perform some of the most tedious tasks across the state, many of which come with dangers that can be costly. Injuries such as lacerations, broken bones, infections, and crushing injuries can all lead to medical debt and long-term pain. Whether you were hurt while on the job due to negligent third parties or your employer failed to clean up hazardous materials that caused you to slip, don’t wait to file a claim and secure compensation.

The team at Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, understands the importance of recovering both physically and financially after an injury. Our firm is devoted to helping Louisiana residents secure the maximum amount of compensation available in their situations and has experience navigating countless complex personal injury claims successfully.

Our lawyers also have experience handling workers’ compensation claims, which are commonly filed by garbage truck drivers here in Lafayette. We have secured a $1 million settlement for a workers’ compensation and personal injury claim involving an 18-wheeler. Let us help you identify who can be held liable for your accident and fight for maximum benefits.

New Orleans Louisiana

We take care of Your family while you can’t work

schedule a consultation

Call for A Consultation 504-525-4361

What Causes Garbage Truck Driver Injuries in Louisiana?

Accidents are one way that garbage truck drivers can suffer injuries. In 2021, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 4,079 accidents involving garbage trucks in the U.S. 2,520 of these garbage truck accidents were collisions that required a vehicle to be towed, while 1,460 accidents resulted in injuries.

However, garbage truck driver injuries can occur from more than just car accidents. The following are just a handful of common issues that lead to injuries sustained by sanitation workers: 

• Repetitive motion strains from lifting and loading
• Slip and fall accidents due to dangerous weather conditions and hazardous environments
• Falling objects
• Hazardous exposure to chemicals in garbage
• Injuries from dangerous objects in garbage, like needles, glass, and sharp metal
• Equipment and machinery accidents

What Should You Do After a Garbage Truck Accident in Lafayette as a Driver?

It’s important to take the right actions after your garbage truck is involved in an accident in Lafayette to ensure you protect yourself, your future, and anyone else involved in the incident. These steps include:

1. Report the Accident. Accidents that cause injury, death, or a set level of property damage must be reported in Lafayette. Additionally, reporting an accident ensures that an accident report is created. This gives you a legal document that details your accident. This report can be an essential piece of evidence in your future legal claim.
2. Get Medical Care. If you’ve been injured, it is crucial that you get medical treatment, whether it feels severe or not. Not all injuries are immediately apparent, so medical treatment could help diagnose hidden injuries like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries. Medical care also creates another legal record of your injuries that can be used as evidence later on.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene. Take photos and videos of your injuries and of the accident. Gather any contact information from witnesses.
4. Report the Accident to Your Employer. An essential part of filing a workers’ compensation claim in Lafayette includes reporting your accident to your employer. Reporting the accident helps you begin the claims process. Additionally, the way your employer responds may impact the legal action you have to take.
5. Avoid Talking to Insurance Companies. Until you hire a garbage truck injury lawyer, you should avoid speaking with an insurance company, especially those representing other people in the accident. Your statements could be used against you to limit the compensation you recover.
6. Hire a Garbage Truck Driver Injury Lawyer. An attorney from our firm can help protect your rights during negotiations and hearings, ensuring you receive what you’re owed after an accident.

FAQs

How Much Are Most Garbage Truck Accident Settlements in Louisiana?

There is no set amount for garbage truck accident settlements in Louisiana, because every accident is different. The severity of your injuries significantly affects the value of your settlement, as does the type of claim you file. A workers’ compensation claim recovers more limited benefits, but you don’t have to prove liability. A civil claim recovers more damages, but your recovery may be more difficult if fault is contested or you were partially at fault.

Can You File a Claim Against a Garbage Truck Company as a Driver in Louisiana?

If you are employed as a garbage truck driver in Louisiana, you likely cannot file a claim against a garbage truck company when you are injured. This is because you likely have workers’ compensation insurance that protects your employer from civil claims when accidents like these occur. Workers’ compensation benefits are generally limited to basic forms of economic compensation and do not cover matters like pain and suffering.

What Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Charge in Louisiana?

The amount that a Louisiana personal injury lawyer charges depends on numerous factors, such as their experience and the firm’s location. Most injury lawyers in Louisiana charge a contingency fee, or a portion of the final settlement or verdict. This means you don’t owe them upfront costs. If your case goes to trial, you can expect the percentage to increase. The more complicated your case is, the higher an attorney’s fee is likely to be.

What Happens When a Garbage Truck Gets in an Accident in Louisiana?

When a garbage truck gets into an accident in Louisiana, injured parties may be able to recover compensation from the garbage truck company’s insurance. An injured driver can file a workers’ compensation claim. If a non-garbage truck driver was responsible for the accident, their insurer may be held liable for injuries. Parties involved should report the crash to emergency responders. Drivers should report the incident to their employer.

Compassionate Legal Aid for Lafayette Sanitation Workers

If you were hurt while working as a garbage truck driver in Lafayette, contact Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC today to pursue justice.