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Injured by a Garbage Truck? You Have Rights Under Texas Law.

At Davis Law Group, we hold careless drivers, waste companies, and municipalities accountable when their negligence changes lives. Led by board-certified trial attorney Sean Davis, Davis Law Group brings decades of personal injury experience to your corner. We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t let powerful waste contractors, insurers, or government entities avoid responsibility. From your first call to the courtroom, we provide aggressive representation, responsive communication, and real results.

Verdicts & Settlements

  • Walker-Sanneh v. Lewis: $114,912.59 Judgment following 2-day Jury Trial.
  • Holt v. Jones: $1,016,151 Judgment following 4-day Jury Trial.
  • Luna v. Steele: $164,139 Verdict.
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Garbage Truck Accident Statistics

Refuse collection is among the most dangerous sectors in the transportation industry:

  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, sanitation workers face a fatality rate 10 times higher than the average occupation, mainly due to traffic collisions and struck-by incidents (BLS.gov)
  • In Texas, garbage trucks are often involved in serious or fatal crashes, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Houston
  • TxDOT recorded over 12,000 commercial vehicle crashes in Texas in 2023 alone, including many involving refuse haulers (2023 crash statistics)

Your legal team for life’s most challenging moments.

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Common Injuries in Garbage Truck Accidents

Garbage trucks can weigh more than 50,000 pounds when fully loaded, and their limited visibility, frequent stops, and tight turning radii make them especially dangerous. Common injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Crushed limbs or amputations
  • Pelvic or rib fractures
  • Severe lacerations or burns
  • Internal bleeding or organ trauma
  • PTSD or anxiety following the crash

These injuries often require extensive hospitalization, rehab, or lifelong medical support.

Common Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents

Our investigations have found the following as frequent causes of garbage truck collisions in Houston:

  • Distracted or fatigued driving
  • Inadequate driver training or supervision
  • Failure to check blind spots when reversing
  • Poor vehicle maintenance or brake failure
  • Improperly secured cargo leading to road debris
  • Speeding or reckless operation in residential zones

Where These Accidents Commonly Occur

Garbage truck crashes are more likely in areas with limited maneuvering space, high foot traffic, or early-morning congestion, such as:

  • Residential neighborhoods during curbside pickups
  • Apartment complexes and gated communities
  • School zones or near bus stops
  • Urban alleyways and narrow commercial streets
  • Downtown Houston intersections during rush hour
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Who Can Be Held Liable?

Garbage truck accidents often involve multiple layers of liability, especially when the vehicle is operated by a government entity or contracted waste company. At Davis Law Group, we thoroughly investigate every detail to identify all responsible parties—because holding just one wrongdoer accountable is rarely enough in these high-stakes cases.

The Garbage Truck Driver

  • Drivers can be held personally liable if their negligent or reckless actions caused the crash
  • This includes speeding, texting while driving, failing to yield, making improper turns, or operating the truck while fatigued or under the influence
  • If the driver violated traffic laws or was distracted at the time of the crash, they can be directly named in your claim

The Driver’s Employer or Waste Management Company

Waste collection companies—including both private contractors and municipal subcontractors—may be liable for:

  • Negligent hiring of unqualified or dangerous drivers
  • Inadequate training, especially for vehicles with complex hydraulic and reversing systems
  • Failure to maintain safety protocols, scheduling that encourages speeding or overwork, or disregarding poor driving records

Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are also generally liable for the on-the-job actions of their drivers.

The City or Municipal Agency

  • If the garbage truck was owned or operated by a city department, such as Houston Solid Waste Management, your claim may fall under the Texas Tort Claims Act
  • While governmental entities usually have immunity, exceptions apply in cases involving motor vehicle operation by public employees
  • Special notice deadlines and damage caps may apply, so early legal action is critical

A Maintenance Contractor or Repair Provider

  • Garbage trucks require frequent maintenance due to their heavy loads and complex machinery
  • If the crash stemmed from brake failure, steering problems, tire blowouts, or hydraulic malfunction, a third-party service provider may be liable for negligent inspection or repairs
  • In some cases, internal records reveal patterns of ignoring known maintenance issues

The Truck or Parts Manufacturer

  • Sometimes, the accident is traced back to a design or manufacturing defect in the truck itself, such as faulty brakes, blind spot monitors, or mechanical components
  • In those cases, we may pursue a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer, parts supplier, or distributor for putting unsafe equipment on the road

What Damages Can You Recover?

If you’ve been injured in a garbage truck accident, you may be entitled to recover:

  • Emergency medical bills and ongoing care
  • Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability or disfigurement
  • Property damage
  • Funeral expenses and wrongful death damages (if applicable)
  • Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
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What to Do If You’ve Been Hit by a Garbage Truck

  1. Call 911 and get medical attention immediately
  2. File a police report and request the incident number
  3. Document the scene with photos or videos
  4. Collect witness contact information, if possible
  5. Do not speak to the waste company’s insurer without legal representation
  6. Contact Davis Law Group right away to preserve evidence and protect your rights

Why You Need a Lawyer After a Garbage Truck Crash

Garbage truck cases are highly complex, involving:

  • Multiple potentially liable parties (driver, employer, government, maintenance company)
  • Aggressive defense tactics by municipal or corporate insurers
  • Evidence preservation (GPS data, camera footage, driver logs, maintenance records)
  • Strict deadlines for filing claims, especially against city or county entities

Without experienced legal representation, getting pressured into a lowball settlement or having your case dismissed on a technicality is easy.

Davis Law Group ensures your voice is heard—and your injuries are taken seriously.

FAQs

How are garbage truck accidents different from regular car accidents?

Can I sue the City of Houston if I was hit by a municipal garbage truck?

What happens if the garbage truck driver left the scene of the accident?

How long does a garbage truck injury case typically take to resolve?

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?

What if my child was hit by a garbage truck near a school zone?

Can a pedestrian or cyclist sue after a garbage truck crash?

Are sanitation companies required to carry commercial insurance?

How are garbage truck accidents different from regular car accidents?

Garbage truck accidents involve heavier vehicles, commercial regulations, and more complex liability chains. Unlike typical car crashes, these cases often include corporate defendants, municipal entities, and federal motor carrier safety standards. The injuries are also usually more severe due to the truck’s size and limited visibility.

Can I sue the City of Houston if I was hit by a municipal garbage truck?

Yes—but it’s more complicated. Claims against a city fall under the Texas Tort Claims Act, which limits how and when you can sue a government entity. You must file a formal notice within six months of the incident (sometimes sooner, depending on local ordinances), or your claim could be barred altogether.

What happens if the garbage truck driver left the scene of the accident?

If a garbage truck driver commits a hit-and-run, you may still pursue compensation through:

  • Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
  • A civil suit against the driver and their employer, if identified
  • A claim against the employer for negligent supervision or failure to report the incident
We can subpoena truck GPS, route logs, and street camera footage to help identify the vehicle.

How long does a garbage truck injury case typically take to resolve?

It depends on the severity of your injuries, the number of defendants, and whether the case goes to trial. On average, settlement negotiations may take 6 to 12 months, while litigation could take 1 to 2 years. At Davis Law Group, we push for full compensation without unnecessary delays.

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Texas follows modified comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault. Your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your damages award would be reduced by 20%.

What if my child was hit by a garbage truck near a school zone?

If your child was injured, you may pursue a personal injury claim on their behalf, and the statute of limitations for minors is typically extended. Special considerations apply in school zones—drivers are held to a higher standard of care, and video footage from nearby schools may be key evidence.

Can a pedestrian or cyclist sue after a garbage truck crash?

Absolutely. In fact, pedestrians and cyclists are often the most vulnerable in these crashes. If you were struck while crossing a street, on a sidewalk, or riding near the truck’s blind spot, you may have a strong negligence claim—especially if the driver was turning, reversing, or speeding.

Are sanitation companies required to carry commercial insurance?

Yes. Both public and private waste haulers must carry commercial liability insurance, often in large amounts due to the risks their operations pose. These policies typically cover bodily injury, property damage, and legal defense costs, but insurers usually work aggressively to minimize payouts.

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Talk to a Houston Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer Today

You shouldn’t have to battle corporations or city lawyers while you’re injured. At Davis Law Group, we do the fighting for you. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a garbage truck accident, call us now for a free, confidential consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.

Tell us what happened.
Let’s see how we can help you.

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