Trusted San Diego Trash Truck Accident Attorneys

Compared to crashes on highways, trash truck wrecks can be mere steps outside your front door. Their broad blind spots, backing habits, and mechanical swinging arms put motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in crosshairs. Safety+Health Magazine indicates their vehicles are responsible for some of the most perilous working environments in the country—and that threat often overflows into the community.

We’ve seen it ourselves how these wrecks unfold. Whether you were struck crossing your own street or injured in a crash while driving through a neighborhood, the damage can be catastrophic. The OSHA accident database tracks hundreds of serious incidents involving trash trucks, which illustrates just how common these accidents are—and how preventable they are.

At Gershen Law, we don’t wait. We act fast to save evidence, identify at-fault parties—such as waste companies and city sanitation departments—and build a case that wins. If you’ve been injured by a San Diego trash truck, you don’t have to do it alone in the court system.

Understanding the Unique Dangers of Trash Trucks in San Diego

San Diego’s trash trucks serve an essential role in keeping our city clean—but they also bring serious risk to the public. Unlike long-haul trucks that stick to highways, garbage trucks travel slowly through neighborhoods, alleyways, and crowded city streets. Their size, weight, and design create unique hazards that frequently lead to injury or death. At Gershen Law, our San Diego garbage truck accident attorneys understand these dangers, and we know how to fight back when safety is ignored.

Why Trash Trucks Are Especially Dangerous in Urban Settings

Trash trucks operate where people live, walk, and work. That proximity makes them more dangerous than other commercial vehicles.

Sanitation trucks are built to haul massive amounts of waste. To do that, they rely on mechanical arms, rear-loaders, and side-lift systems that swing wide and operate with force. These moving parts create hidden threats for pedestrians, cyclists, and nearby drivers. Worse, most garbage trucks lack modern collision avoidance systems, despite operating in areas filled with children, pets, and dense traffic.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, trash truck-related accidents are alarmingly frequent and often fatal. When safety protocols are skipped or equipment fails, people get hurt.

Residential Routes and Reversing Risks

Many garbage truck crashes happen on quiet residential streets. That’s because these vehicles stop and reverse frequently—often without warning.

Most trash trucks back into alleys, driveways, or narrow streets without the help of a spotter or backup camera. Their blind zones extend across the rear and both sides of the vehicle. Children playing outside, residents taking out trash, or drivers pulling out of driveways may go unseen until it’s too late.

Reversing incidents often result in severe crush injuries or fatalities. These tragic events are common enough that agencies like NIOSH have issued safety warnings about how easily pedestrians and workers can be struck during routine waste collection.

Early Morning Operations Compound the Danger

Trash trucks often begin their routes before sunrise. This limited visibility increases the chance of serious injury.

Dim lighting, groggy drivers, and early-morning foot traffic create a dangerous mix. Pedestrians walking dogs, kids heading to school, and early commuters may be completely overlooked by sanitation drivers focused on staying on schedule. Combine that with tight corners, uneven streets, and distractions like music or navigation apps, and the risk grows exponentially.

In areas like North Park, City Heights, and Chula Vista, where residential blocks are tightly packed, even a slow-moving garbage truck can cause enormous harm. These conditions demand extra caution—and when drivers or companies fall short, victims have every right to hold them accountable.

When Trash Truck Accidents Involve the City

Some sanitation vehicles in San Diego are operated by municipal departments, while others belong to private companies like EDCO or Republic Services.

If you’re injured by a city-owned trash truck, your legal claim may follow a very different process. Claims against public entities must follow strict timelines under California law. That’s why it’s critical to work with a legal team that understands how to handle government liability cases.

At Gershen Law, we’re deeply familiar with these procedures. We act fast to file the proper documentation, preserve video surveillance, and demand accountability from city agencies that failed to follow proper safety protocols.

Learn more about how we pursue personal injury claims against public entities in California.

Common Causes of Trash Truck Accidents in San Diego

Garbage truck crashes are rarely “accidents” in the true sense of the word. In most cases, they result from preventable choices, overlooked safety practices, or system failures. Our San Diego trash truck accident lawyers know that identifying the root cause of a crash is the first step in building a strong legal claim. That’s why we move quickly to uncover what really went wrong—and who is responsible.

Distracted or Overloaded Drivers

Operating a trash truck safely requires focus and constant awareness of surroundings. Unfortunately, not all drivers take that responsibility seriously.

Distractions Behind the Wheel Can Be Fatal

Drivers who check their phones, use navigation apps, or eat while behind the wheel place everyone around them at risk. Even a few seconds of inattention can lead to disaster when operating a vehicle that weighs over 25,000 pounds. Sanitation drivers are often under pressure to finish routes quickly, which can lead to reckless shortcuts.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving killed over 3,500 people in the U.S. in a recent year alone—and heavy trucks like garbage haulers amplify the consequences.

Overfilled Routes and Worker Fatigue

Garbage truck drivers often work long shifts with limited breaks, especially on underfunded or overburdened routes. Fatigue slows reaction time, affects judgment, and increases the chance of serious collisions. Poor scheduling and unrealistic expectations by employers or contractors only worsen the problem.

Blind Spots and Reversing Without Spotters

Most trash trucks have significant blind zones that surround the sides and rear of the vehicle. When these zones aren’t managed properly, crashes are almost inevitable.

Trash Trucks Often Back Up Into Danger

Unlike other large trucks that primarily move forward, garbage trucks reverse often—and usually in crowded or narrow spaces. When spotters are not used, and backup alarms or cameras fail or go ignored, pedestrians, cyclists, and children are placed directly in harm’s way. These backing incidents are one of the most common causes of trash truck injuries in San Diego neighborhoods.

Learn more about the risks of reversing incidents in waste collection vehicles from the CDC’s official struck-by hazard report.

Mechanical Failures and Inadequate Maintenance

Trash trucks endure rough daily use. Their hydraulics, brakes, and suspension systems must be maintained meticulously. When they’re not, people get hurt.

Faulty Equipment Can Lead to Catastrophic Results

Garbage trucks that haven’t been inspected regularly may experience brake failure, hydraulic arm malfunctions, or tire blowouts. In hilly San Diego neighborhoods like Mission Hills or South Park, brake loss on a fully loaded trash truck can result in multi-vehicle pileups or crushing injuries.

At Gershen Law, we often uncover evidence that companies skipped inspections or deferred repairs to cut costs. When that negligence leads to injury, we hold every party accountable.

Poorly Trained or Underqualified Drivers

Driving a garbage truck safely requires more than a commercial license. It takes specialized training, especially for routes with pedestrian-heavy areas, hills, and alleyways.

Inexperienced Drivers Increase the Risk of Serious Crashes

Private waste contractors sometimes hire drivers without sufficient training or field supervision. These drivers may not know how to navigate narrow streets, handle heavy loads, or respond in emergencies. In these cases, the employer may be directly liable for poor hiring and training practices.

Route Planning and Unsafe Pick-Up Zones

Not all crash causes stem from driver behavior. Sometimes, the problem lies in how routes are designed and where pickups happen.

Narrow Alleys and High-Traffic Intersections Create Danger

When trash collection points are located in blind corners, across school zones, or in busy intersections, accidents become much more likely. Poorly thought-out routes or rushed schedules force drivers to make unsafe maneuvers under time pressure.

In these cases, our legal team investigates not just the driver—but also the company or agency that created the unsafe collection plan.

Who Is Liable in a Trash Truck Accident?

Liability in a garbage truck crash isn’t always obvious. Unlike a simple car accident, these cases often involve multiple parties—from drivers and contractors to government agencies and equipment manufacturers. At Gershen Law, our San Diego trash truck accident attorneys know how to identify every responsible party, because holding the right people accountable is the key to securing full compensation.

The Trash Truck Driver May Be Directly at Fault

In many crashes, the sanitation driver is the first point of liability. Whether due to distraction, fatigue, or poor decision-making, drivers who fail to operate safely can be held fully responsible.

Examples of Driver Negligence We Commonly Investigate

• Speeding through residential zones or school areas
• Texting, eating, or using a phone behind the wheel
• Ignoring backup camera alerts or operating without a spotter
• Driving under the influence or while fatigued

When a driver’s actions violate traffic laws or workplace safety standards, they become directly liable. We use accident reports, dashcam footage, witness interviews, and black box data to establish driver fault early in the case.

The Waste Collection Company Often Shares Responsibility

Drivers rarely act alone. Their employer may also be liable for creating unsafe working conditions, providing poor training, or ignoring equipment problems.

Common Forms of Corporate Negligence

• Failing to maintain brakes, tires, and hydraulic arms
• Allowing overloaded or unsafe vehicles on the road
• Pressuring drivers to complete unrealistic routes or schedules
• Hiring unqualified or undertrained personnel

Both public and private haulers can be held accountable under California law. Whether the vehicle was operated by a city agency or a private firm like Waste Management, EDCO, or Republic Services, we investigate hiring records, inspection logs, and route assignments to expose deeper safety issues.

Government Entities May Be Liable for Municipal Trash Trucks

If the garbage truck involved was owned or operated by the City of San Diego or a local government agency, different legal rules apply.

Special Rules for Suing the Government

• Claims must be filed within six months of the incident
• Public agencies may have partial immunity from certain types of damages
• Additional documentation is required for filing under the Government Claims Act

These rules make timing critical. At Gershen Law, we move quickly to preserve your rights when a city-operated trash truck is involved. Our attorneys have handled multiple claims against public agencies throughout San Diego County and know how to navigate these complex cases.

Third Parties Could Also Be at Fault

In some cases, the crash is caused by a failure beyond the driver or employer—like defective parts or dangerous road conditions.

Additional Liable Parties May Include:

• Manufacturers of faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems
• Third-party maintenance contractors who skipped inspections
• Government agencies responsible for unsafe roads or missing signage

Our firm collaborates with forensic engineers, mechanics, and safety experts to uncover failures others may overlook. These third-party claims can add substantial value to your case and ensure that every contributor to the crash is held accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trash Truck Accidents in San Diego

When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a trash truck accident, it’s natural to have questions. Our San Diego trash truck accident attorneys answer some of the most common concerns we hear from clients who were injured by refuse trucks.

What Makes Trash Truck Accidents Different From Other Truck Crashes?

Garbage trucks operate in residential neighborhoods, alleys, and school zones—not just highways. Their size, constant stopping, reversing, and wide mechanical arms create unique dangers. Because these trucks move slowly and unpredictably through populated areas, the risk of pedestrian and cyclist injuries is much higher than in typical truck crashes.

Can I Sue the City of San Diego If a Municipal Trash Truck Hit Me?

Yes, but time is limited. Claims against city-operated vehicles must follow California’s Government Claims Act, which gives you only six months to file. You’ll also need to meet additional notice and filing requirements. If a public sanitation vehicle caused your injuries, it’s critical to contact our firm immediately so we can preserve your claim.

Who Pays for My Medical Bills After a Garbage Truck Accident?

The at-fault party’s insurance typically covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This may be a private waste management company or a government entity, depending on who owns and operates the truck. In some cases, your own insurance may provide short-term relief while the claim is pending. Our attorneys help coordinate all available coverage.

What If the Trash Truck Was Backing Up and Didn’t See Me?

Backing incidents are a common cause of garbage truck injuries. If the truck was reversing without a spotter, failed to use backup alarms, or ignored safety procedures, the driver and their employer may be liable. These cases often involve serious injuries due to crushing or impact and require detailed accident reconstruction to prove fault.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Trash Truck Accident?

For private garbage truck accidents, California’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. However, if a city or county sanitation vehicle was involved, you have just six months to file an administrative claim. Once that claim is rejected or ignored, you have a limited window to file a lawsuit.

Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident. Your final settlement or verdict will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. Our legal team works to reduce your liability and strengthen your position through evidence and expert analysis.

How Much Is a San Diego Trash Truck Accident Case Worth?

That depends on the severity of your injuries, your long-term medical needs, lost income, and emotional impact. We seek compensation for all damages, including hospital bills, therapy, loss of future earnings, and pain and suffering. If the crash involved gross negligence, we may also pursue punitive damages.

Speak with a San Diego Trash Truck Accident Attorney Today

A garbage truck accident can change your life in seconds—but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Gershen Law, we’ve seen the damage these vehicles cause up close. Whether you were injured crossing your street in North Park, hit near an alley in La Mesa, or struck while cycling through University Heights, we are here to help you rebuild.

Our legal team moves fast to gather evidence, investigate liability, and fight for the full compensation you’re owed. We take on private waste haulers, city sanitation departments, and insurance carriers with confidence and experience. From the moment you contact us, you’ll have a dedicated advocate on your side.

We offer:

• Free, no-obligation consultations
• No legal fees unless we win your case
• Same-day case evaluations in person or virtually
• Deep knowledge of San Diego’s neighborhoods, courts, and city departments

Trash truck accidents are different from other crashes—and they demand a legal team that understands those differences. Let us do the heavy lifting while you focus on healing.

Schedule your free consultation now or call us directly at (619) 492-5526.