Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can guide you through the claims process if you’re hurt in a truck accident in Tulsa. One of the most familiar sights on your daily commute is a garbage truck. But no matter where you see one, it’s still much larger than your car and brings a lot of questions if there’s an accident. We can help you by answering your questions and getting you on the path to recovery. Set up a free consultation today.
Why a Lawyer Can Help After a Garbage Truck Accident
Just because you’re used to seeing a garbage truck out and about in Tulsa doesn’t make being in an accident with one any easier. In fact, dealing with a collision and what it brings can be very difficult. That’s probably the biggest way a lawyer can help you. It’s about simplifying things. And that’s exactly what our Tulsa truck accident team can do for you by:
- Looking into the accident and figuring out exactly what happened
- Figuring out whether the truck was owned by the city or a private company
- Explaining your options in plain English so you know what to expect
- Getting important evidence before it’s lost or harder to find
- Asking for internal records maintenance records, driver information, and video footage
- Handling the calls, paperwork, and back-and-forth with insurance companies or government agencies
- Figuring out everyone who may be responsible for your injuries
- Making sure your claim is filed correctly and on time
Basically, you’re already dealing with enough just by being in an accident with a garbage truck. And while they’re scrambling to protect themselves, you’re left facing mounting medical bills, questions from insurance companies, maybe even pushback from the city government. We take all that on for you so you can focus on your recovery.
What Information Can Help Me After the Accident?
There’s a lot that goes into a collision with a garbage truck in Tulsa, but the immediate aftermath is almost always the same. There’s the collision, yes, but given the difference in size and weight between you and the garbage truck, you’re likely dealing with immediate pain, damage to your car, and a lot of confusion.
That makes getting certain information important. And a lot of this is at the scene, like:
- The name of the company or city department that owns the garbage truck
- The driver’s name and contact information
- The truck’s license plate number and any identifying numbers or markings on the vehicle
- Photos of your injuries, your vehicle, the garbage truck, and the surrounding accident scene
- Names and phone numbers for anyone who saw the accident
It’s not just about the immediate aftermath, though. There’s ongoing documentation you’ll want to keep track of, and a lot of it won’t be available until the days/weeks after. Focus on:
- Copies of your medical records, bills, and treatment plans
- Notes about your symptoms, pain levels, and how your injuries affect your day-to-day life
- Documentation showing any work you’ve missed or income you’ve lost because of the accident
- Any letters, emails, claim numbers, or phone calls you’ve received from insurance companies or government agencies
Obviously, trying to get this information can be challenging if you’re hurt. That’s why you should focus first on reporting the accident and getting medical care. From there, it’s about getting what you can to move forward with a claim. That starts with figuring out responsibility.
Who’s Responsible for a Garbage Truck Accident?
One of the biggest questions people have after an accident with a garbage truck is simple: “Who’s actually responsible for this?” That’s not always easy to answer. Some garbage trucks are owned and operated by the city, but more and more, you’ll see garbage trucks operated by private companies like Waste Management or smaller, locally-owned trucks.
With all that said, the legal responsibility for your injuries is going to fall on whoever was negligent and caused the accident. Given the circumstances, that might fall on:
- The garbage truck driver
- The private waste company that employed the driver
- The City of Tulsa, if it was a city-owned truck
- A company responsible for maintaining or repairing the truck
- The manufacturer of a defective part
- Another driver who contributed to the accident
So, even answering basic questions after one of these accidents can be confusing. That doesn’t change your options for filing a claim, but it does change how it might work.
How Does the Claims Process Work After a Garbage Truck Accident?
When you’re injured in a collision with a garbage truck, you can file a claim and get damages just like you would with any other accident. But how you actually do that depends heavily on whether the truck is operated by the city or a private company/driver.
If it’s a city truck, you’ll have to file your claim through the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act (OGTCA). This has different requirements than a normal claim, and usually includes:
- Filing a written notice of claim with the government agency involved (like the City of Tulsa if it’s a city garbage truck).
- That notice has to include basic details about what happened, your injuries, and what you’re asking for in damages.
- You have to file within 90 days of the accident. Once the claim is filed, the agency reviews it and decides whether to accept, deny, or offer a settlement.
Usually, the 90 days runs out before the government responds. If that happens, you can file a lawsuit in state court. And there’s also a cap on damages if you have to go this route. Currently, a settlement is capped at $175,000.
If the garbage truck is privately-owned, the process looks much more familiar. It’s here that you can either:
- File an insurance claim out of court.
- File a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
Then things proceed like they would in any other accident. You typically start with insurance, they investigate what happened, and offer you a settlement based on the policy and your losses. Sometimes that’s enough, but other times, it’s not. That’s when you can go to court and file a lawsuit for fuller damages like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income
- Repair/replacement costs for your car
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
So, the way the claims process plays out in these kinds of accidents depends on the circumstances. And remember, there’s still deadlines even if the city isn’t involved. You only have two years from the date of the accident to file your injury claim, and if you miss it, you can’t get damages at all. That leaves you at a huge disadvantage if you’re injured and trying to make your way back to normal.
Ylla Gosney Can Help You After a Garbage Truck Accident in Tulsa
Getting hit by a garbage truck is no small thing—especially when these trucks are moving through Tulsa neighborhoods, tight residential streets, and busy intersections every single day. Accidents like these can turn your life upside down in seconds, and the aftermath can feel overwhelming fast.
That’s when you need help, and that’s exactly what our Tulsa garbage truck accident team at Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can give you. Set up a free consultation today and let us guide you through the claims process.