A collision in Ohio between a car and a garbage truck has left three men injured, and provided another harsh reminder of the need to drive cautiously and be aware of other vehicles on the road. But the accident also left a lot of questions unanswered. Reports from the Ohio State Highway Patrol say the car accident happened at around 5:35 p.m., as two workers exited their garbage truck and were beginning to transfer the contents of a trash bin into the truck.
At this time, police say a car rear-ended the garbage truck. One of the workers, who was standing behind the truck at the time of the accident, was pinned between both vehicles for about 45 minutes. Emergency response workers had to forcefully pry the cars apart before they could reach the 39-year-old victim.
Upon his rescue, the trapped worker was taken to a nearby emergency room to be treated for his injuries. He was later transferred to a larger medical facility, where he underwent surgery. Fortunately, his 58-year-old co-worker did not require medical attention. The 71-year-old driver of the car that struck the garbage truck sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment.
Police have not filed any charges, but the investigation is ongoing. A representative for the OSHP explained that neither driver appears to have been intoxicated. In addition to a local police department, four fire and EMS teams responded to calls for assistance at the accident site. The driver of the car told reporters that the garbage truck lacked lights, making it difficult for him to see, and he said he could not avoid hitting it. OSHP officials performed tests that partially confirmed the man's claims. One trooper also claimed that neither worker was wearing a reflective vest.
In a situation like this where there are many questions, all injured parties may be wise to contact a personal injury attorney, who could inform them of their options. If the truck was poorly marked, the garbage company could be held liable for the crash, and thus both men's injuries.
Source: Sandusky Register, "Troopers: Garbage truck lacked lights, had poor reflective tape," Emil Whitis, Nov. 29, 2011