Robert Atchison Injured In Centralia Garbage Truck Accident

Truck Accident - April 27, 2024

Robert Atchison, of Jefferson City, 5 Passengers Injured In Centralia Garbage Truck Accident By North Elm Street and McCord Street

CENTRALIA, ILLINOIS (April 27, 2023) – The driver of an SUV, identified as Robert Atchison, was one of six people injured in a Centralia garbage truck accident.

Jefferson County officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:11 a.m. on Tuesday. A Republic trash truck failed to slow down and rear-ended an SUV driven by Robert Atchison.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims. Robert Atchison was taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital by Lifestar Ambulance.

Five female passengers in the SUV under the age of 10 were also injured in the crash. The driver of the Republic garbage truck was ticketed for failing to reduce speed in order to avoid a collision.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Centralia Garbage Truck Accidents

Collisions with garbage trucks are much more common than many people may realize. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 2,430 crashes involving garbage trucks. Those accidents resulted in 107 fatalities and 1,427 injuries. There are many reasons why garbage trucks can be particularly dangerous for other drivers.

• Blind Spots: Like all large commercial trucks, garbage trucks have large blind spots. These exist all around the truck and are especially pronounced on the sides and back of the truck.
• Weight: A fully loaded garbage truck can weigh as much as 51,000 lbs, which makes it very difficult to stop.
• Ground Clearance: Garbage trucks have a high ground clearance, which can lead to pedestrians becoming trapped underneath the front of the truck.

Garbage truck drivers are required to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. All drivers are supposed to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, no person shall operate their vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a driver fails to slow down in order to avoid a collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

The company that a garbage truck driver worked for could also be liable for a collision. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a garbage truck driver may have been collecting trash when they were involved in a collision. It is important that certain steps be taken after any garbage truck accident.

• Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• Medical records should be preserved.
• The police report for the accident should be reviewed.

Garbage trucks owned by private corporations tend to have a much worse safety record than those owned by municipal entities. In far too many situations, private garbage truck companies have pushed their drivers to complete their work on unrealistic schedules. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. Any person who is injured in a garbage truck accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.

Investigating Centralia Garbage Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Robert Atchison and the other passengers as they continue to recover. This was a preventable crash that should not have taken place. It is our sincere hope that there is some accountability for what happened and that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Centralia garbage truck accident? Our team of garbage truck accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.