Garbage trucks are commonly seen in our neighborhoods picking up waste to keep our cities clean. However, it's important to know that these trucks are big and heavy, which means the damages in a garbage truck accident can be very severe.
Even though they don't go fast, their size alone can lead to serious problems. You might not have realized how often garbage truck accidents happen, but they occur more frequently than you might think, and for specific reasons. Below are some of these reasons.
Garbage truck drivers work long and tiring hours, often starting their shifts before dawn and driving through neighborhoods while most people are still asleep.
The long hours and early mornings can make drivers tired, leading to potential mistakes such as drifting into another lane or failing to see vehicles in their blind spots.
Feeling tired can slow down reaction times, affect judgment, and reduce attention to detail – which are especially bad when driving a heavy vehicle. In addition to long hours, garbage truck drivers drive in repetitive patterns, which can make them mentally exhausted and more likely to have accidents.
Garbage trucks have larger blind spots than most other vehicles. Their height and size make it hard for drivers to see all around them.
Even with mirrors and cameras, drivers might not notice vehicles, bikes, or people in these blind spots. This can lead to accidents, especially on narrow roads with high curbs and parked cars.
Limited visibility can result in collisions and, in serious cases, accidents involving pedestrians.
Garbage trucks often stop, start, and reverse erratically, unlike regular cars that follow predictable paths. This irregular movement can surprise other drivers, resulting in collisions.
Drivers behind these trucks might misinterpret the truck’s next actions, leading to minor accidents, scrapes, or more serious crashes. Even though the truck may not always be to blame, its unpredictable behavior on the road significantly contributes to many accidents.
Garbage trucks are very heavy, especially when filled with compacted trash, weighing over twenty tons. This significant weight affects their operation, making it hard for them to stop quickly or maneuver easily.
When unexpected events occur, like a car suddenly appearing in front of them, the truck may not be able to stop in time.
Because of their large size, garbage trucks need more space to make turns, which can result in accidental collisions or sharp turns.
Even the most reliable vehicles can experience mechanical failures. Problems with brakes, engines, or the hydraulic system that lifts garbage bins can lead to serious accidents, especially for heavy trucks like garbage trucks.
While regular maintenance should catch most issues, sometimes things slip through. When that happens, it can lead to catastrophic outcomes. A garbage truck with faulty brakes or malfunctioning parts presents a significant risk.
Distractions cause many road accidents. Garbage truck drivers might get distracted while collecting trash or working with the truck's hydraulic system. They could also be using a GPS or communicating with colleagues on the radio.
But no matter the reason, driving while distracted, especially in a large vehicle like a garbage truck, is very dangerous. When a driver takes their eyes off the road or loses focus, the risk of an accident goes up a lot.
Garbage trucks often travel on different kinds of roads, such as narrow streets, rough surfaces, and uneven terrain, instead of just highways and main roads.
Drivers might find it hard to drive their vehicles when dealing with bad road conditions like potholes, debris, or icy patches, which can make them more likely to lose control.
Bad weather like rain, snow, or oil spills can also lead to garbage trucks skidding or sliding, which could cause accidents.
Even drivers with experience may be at risk during their normal trash collection runs when they come across dangerous road conditions.
