---
description: Washington, DC garbage truck accident lawyers at CSCS help victims injured in garbage truck accidents. For a free case review, contact the firm today.
title: Washington DC Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer | Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata &amp; Siegel
---
Washington DC Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer | Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	

			
			

		
		

		
				
			
					
		
		
		
				
				
					
# Garbage Truck Accidents
				
				
				
				
							

								
													
										Last Updated: September 5, 2024					
								
				
													
										Reading Time:  4 minutes					
								
				

						
				
				
		
				
				
									
					
						
									Trusted Content
					
					
				
								
				
				
				
					
### Legally Reviewed by
Allan Siegel

Updated 2 years ago
				
				
				
				
				
					
				
		
					
				
				
					
[Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/) » Garbage Truck Accidents
				
				
					
				
		
					
		
		
				
				
							
			
										
							
					
				
				
																														
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
				
				
					

				
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
				
				
																														
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
				
				
																														
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
				
				
																														
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
				
				
																														
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
				
				
																														
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
				
				
																														
				
					
				
								
								
		
						
				
				
				
									
						
				What's On This Page			
								
				
			
							
		
						
				
		
				
				
					
## [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/)
				
				
				
				
							
				
				
			
					
				
				
					$3 Million				
				
				
				
							
			
						
		
						
				
				
				
							

								
													
										
				Truck Crash				
					
								
				

						
				
				
				
					

		
			
							
		

		
			
							
		
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
				
				
					$1.8 Million				
				
				
				
							
			
						
		
						
				
				
				
							

								
													
										
				Truck Crash				
					
								
				

						
				
				
				
					

		
			
							
		

		
			
							
		
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
				
				
					$1.4 Million				
				
				
				
							
			
						
		
						
				
				
				
							

								
													
										
				Truck Crash				
					
								
				

						
				
				
				
					

		
			
							
		

		
			
							
		
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
				
				
					$1.25 Million				
				
				
				
							
			
						
		
						
				
				
				
							

								
													
										
				Truck Crash				
					
								
				

						
				
				
				
					

		
			
							
		

		
			
							
		
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
				
				
					$900,000				
				
				
				
							
			
						
		
						
				
				
				
							

								
													
										
				Truck Crash				
					
								
				

						
				
				
				
					

		
			
							
		

		
			
							
		
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
				
				
					$750,000				
				
				
				
							
			
						
		
						
				
				
				
							

								
													
										
				Truck Crash				
					
								
				

						
				
				
				
					

		
			
							
		

		
			
							
		
				
				
					
				
				
				
		
					
							
			
							
					
						
				
				
		
				
				
					
## [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/)
				
				
				
				
								
					
					
					
						
				
				
		
				
				
					
## [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/)
				
				
				
				
							
				
				
			
					
		
				
				
					I would never worry again if they are on the case.				
				
				
				
							

								
										
															
									
										Tilwanda Dofat					
								
				
										
															
									
										
				Personal Injury				
					
								
				

						
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
		
				
				
					They held my hand through the entire process.				
				
				
				
							

								
										
															
									
										Meraf Mitchell					
								
				

						
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
		
				
				
					They paved the way for a brighter future.				
				
				
				
							

								
										
															
									
										Sheree Whitby					
								
				

						
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
		
				
				
					I’m greeted with a hug every time I come.				
				
				
				
							

								
										
															
									
										Sheba Halliburton					
								
				
										
															
									
										
				Personal Injury				
					
								
				

						
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
		
				
				
					They are always was available for any of my concerns.				
				
				
				
							

								
										
															
									
										Teresa Morring					
								
				

						
				
				
					
				
				
				
			
					
		
				
				
					Your office has taken care of us every step.				
				
				
				
							

								
										
															
									
										Shyama					
								
				
										
															
									
										
				Personal Injury				
					
								
				

						
				
				
					
				
				
				
		
					
							
			
							
					
						
				
				
				
		
				
				
					
## Contact Us Today!
				
				
				
				
								
		        
                
                        
							
"*" indicates required fields

                        
                        Name*
                            
                            
                                                    
                                                    First
                                                
                            
                            
                            
                        Last Name*
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                                    
                                                    Last
                                                
                            
                        Email**
                            
                        Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I&#039;m a potential new client.No, I&#039;m a current existing client.I&#039;m neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident*
          
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
        
                        
                        
			

            
            				
				
				
				
		
				
				
							
							
																											
													
									
					
						
				
				
				
							
						
				
					 Video Transcript 
							
			
			
		

						
				
				
				
									
Ira Sherman:

The operator of a tractor trailer has a special responsibility because that, as a weapon, is way more powerful than an automobile could be if it struck you in the rear or anywhere. It is a comparison between a bullet of an automobile and a bomb of a tractor trailer.

Allan Siegel:

There&#8217;s a lot more involved in a truck crash case than there is in a car crash case. And not every law firm knows and understands trucking cases. There are federal rules and federal regulations that govern the trucking industry that they must follow, and a lawyer who&#8217;s handling those types of cases needs to know all of those laws, needs to know hours of service, needs to know how they&#8217;re supposed to keep their logs. I am on the executive board of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group. I will eventually be the chair of that group. I&#8217;ve worked with that group and been on the board for many years and have been working and have a deep understanding of trucking cases.

Joseph Cammarata:

If it&#8217;s a heavy use vehicle, dump truck, a garbage truck, U-Haul, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler, those are trucks. So we&#8217;re not just talking about 18 wheelers. Those big rigs that you see on the road.

Stephen Ollar:

It&#8217;s not always just the truck that&#8217;s at fault. Maybe the truck trucking company itself was negligent in not providing enough supervision for the truck driver. So there&#8217;s a lot that goes into it, and it&#8217;s something that we pride ourselves in.

 
								
				
				
					
					
						
				
				
				
					

# Garbage Truck Accidents in Washington, DC

Unlike other large commercial trucks, which mainly travel on highways and open roads, garbage trucks operate in residential areas. The smaller streets and high population density of these areas make garbage truck accidents especially dangerous. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and children at play can be easily injured or even killed by a garbage truck that makes an unsafe maneuver.

A study performed by the pedestrian advocacy group Right of Way revealed that more bicyclists and pedestrians are killed by garbage trucks than any other vehicle on the road.

At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our [truck accident attorneys](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/) have years of experience representing Washington DC garbage truck accident victims. We know what to do to get you the compensation you deserve. [Contact us today](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) for a free consultation.

## Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents

Garbage trucks may move slowly, but their size, limited maneuverability, and lack of visibility can create problems for drivers.

Several different factors can [cause](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/) garbage truck accidents, including:

- Falling objects

- Driving in the wrong lane for ease of trash pick-up

- Faulty back-up alarms

- Backing up before looking

- [Fatigued drivers](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/truck-driver-fatigue/)

- Frequent starts and stops

- [Inadequate maintenance](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/truck-maintenance/)

The employees that work in the back of the garbage truck can also be injured by the factors listed above. Brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord injury, and even [wrongful death](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wrongful-death/) are consequences of garbage truck accidents.

## Victims of Garbage Truck Accidents

While anyone can be the victim of a garbage truck accident, certain groups of people are more vulnerable. These include:

- Waste Management Employees*** &#8211; ***Waste management and garbage collecting is one of the deadliest jobs in the United States. Waste management employees are surrounded by trucks and hazardous materials every day, making trash collectors the most vulnerable victims of garbage truck accidents.

- Vulnerable Transportation Users &#8211; Pedestrians, bicyclists, scooters, and other [vulnerable users](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-vulnerable-user-recovery-act-of-2020/) are smaller and lower to the ground than motor vehicles. Garbage truck drivers might hit them if they are in their blind spots.

- Other Drivers &#8211; Garbage trucks come across various vehicles on their routes. Cars, SUVs, buses, and [commercial trucks](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2020/03/how-commercial-vehicle-accidents-are-different/) may crash with garbage trucks due to driver error, tailgating, or poor road conditions.

## What to Do After a Garbage Truck Accident

If you or a loved one has been hit by a garbage truck, there are a few important things you should do:

- Seek medical attention for any injuries sustained in the accident. This is important for both your health and for building a strong personal injury claim.

- Do not give any statements to the police or insurance companies until you have spoken with an experienced personal injury attorney.

- Collect as much evidence as possible from the accident scene, including photos, videos, and eyewitness testimony.

- Contact a knowledgeable garbage truck accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.

## Damages You Can Recover in a Garbage Truck Accident Case

If you or a loved one has been involved in a garbage truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. The amount of compensation you can recover will depend on the severity of your injuries, the accident&#8217;s impact on your life, and other factors.

## Who is Liable For a Garbage Truck Accident?

If you have been injured by a garbage truck, you may be able to [sue for damages](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/filing-claim-against-a-trucking-company/) related to your injuries caused by the accident. The at-fault party may include the truck driver, the driver&#8217;s employer, the truck company, or an insurance company.

Every case is different, so it is important to consult with an attorney about your case to decide what is the best course of action for you. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., we understand this is a difficult time for you and will do everything we can to guide you through the legal process and get the compensation you deserve.

## Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a garbage truck crash that happened due to a negligent driver or maintenance company, you may be entitled to compensation. If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your truck accident claim, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.

Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they&#8217;ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or[ contact us online](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) to get the proven legal representation you deserve.

				
				
		
				
				
							
							
																											
													
									
					
						
				
		
				
				
					
## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve.
				
				
				
				
									
At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf.
								
				
				
				
									
					
						
									Speak to a Specialist
					
					
				
								
				
				
				
				
					
				
		
					
		
		
				
				
									
				
		
				
				
					
## Visit Us in Person
				
				
				
				
					1232 17th St NW

Washington, DC 20036				
				
				
				
				
							
			
						
		
						
				
				
				
									
The truck accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent injured motorists across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Northern Virginia truck accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/northern-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/) ([Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/arlington-va/), [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/alexandria/), and [Fairfax County trucking claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/fairfax/)), and Maryland ([Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/rockville/), [Montgomery County truck collisions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/montgomery-county/), [Silver Spring](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/silver-spring/), [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/hyattsville/), and [Waldorf](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/waldorf/)).
								
				
				
		
				
				
																														
				
				
				
					
## Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident
				
				
				
				
					Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights.				
				
				
				
									
					
						
									READ OUR E-BOOK
					
					
				
								
				
				
				
					
				
		
					
		
				
				
					
### Meet Our Team
				
				
				
				
									
					
						
									Learn More About Us
					
					
				
								
				
				
				
				
							
			
										
							
					
		
					
				
				
					Ira Sherman				
				
				
				
					Partner				
				
					
				
		
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
		
				
				
					Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York				
				
				
				
									
With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line.
								
				
				
				
				
									
					
						
									Ira Sherman's Bio
					
					
				
								
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
		
					
				
				
					Joseph Cammarata				
				
				
				
					Partner				
				
					
				
		
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
		
				
				
					Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia				
				
				
				
									
A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter.
								
				
				
				
				
									
					
						
									Joe Cammarata's Bio
					
					
				
								
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
		
				
				
					Allan M. Siegel​				
				
				
				
					Partner				
				
				
		
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
		
				
				
					Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia				
				
				
				
									
**Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients.
								
				
				
				
				
									
					
						
									Allan Siegel's Bio
					
					
				
								
				
					
				
								
											
							
					
		
				
				
					Stephen Ollar				
				
				
				
					Partner				
				
				
		
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
				
																
															
															
				
				
		
				
				
					Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia				
				
				
				
									
**Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases.
								
				
				
				
				
									
					
						
									Stephen Ollar's Bio
					
					
				
								
				
					
				
								
								
		
					
							
			
							
					
						
				
					
				
		
					
		
				
				
					
### Related Articles
				
				
				
				
									
					
						
									Read More Blog Articles
					
					
				
								
				
				
		
				
				
							
				
			
				
				
			
				Dangers of Self-Driving Delivery Trucks			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				Why Are Accidents Involving Amazon Delivery Vehicles Increasing?			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				Waldorf Truck Accident Lawyer			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				What To Do When a Family Member is Killed in a Truck Accident			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				Hyattsville Truck Accident Lawyers			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				Montgomery County Truck Accident Attorney			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				Silver Spring Truck Accident Attorneys			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				Maryland Truck Accident Statistics			
		
				
					
		
				
			
				
				
			
				Washington DC Truck Accident Statistics			
		
				
					
		
				
		
						
				
				
				
							
				
			
				[](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2024/12/multi-million-dollar-settlement-trucking-tragedy/)
				Newsletter
				
				
			
				Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement: Trucking Tragedy			
		
				
			
In one of our most impactful cases, a catastrophic collision on an Interstate Highway forever

		
		
		
			Read More »		

				
				
					
			12/18/2024		
				
					
		
				
			
				[](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2020/03/how-to-reduce-your-chances-of-being-in-a-truck-accident/)
				Car Accidents
				
				
			
				How to Reduce Your Chances of Being in a Truck Accident			
		
				
			
Truck accidents often result in catastrophic or even deadly injuries. According to the U.S. Department of

		
		
		
			Read More »		

				
				
					
			03/12/2020		
				
					
		
				
			
				[](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2020/02/what-makes-truck-accidents-so-dangerous/)
				Car Accidents
				
				
			
				What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?			
		
				
			
The Dangers of Truck Accidents 18-wheelers are among the most dangerous vehicles on today’s highways.

		
		
		
			Read More »		

				
				
					
			02/04/2020		
				
					
		
				
			
				[](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2020/02/what-to-do-after-a-truck-accident-2/)
				Car Accidents
				
				
			
				What to Do After a Truck Accident			
		
				
			
If you or your loved one were injured in a truck accident, you are probably

		
		
		
			Read More »		

				
				
					
			02/04/2020