New York City Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers
Trusted Legal Representation for Sanitation Truck Injuries in NYC
In the heart of New York City, garbage trucks are a constant presence—from the narrow streets of the Bronx to the congested avenues of Manhattan. But when these massive vehicles are involved in accidents, the results can be devastating. If you or a loved one was injured in a garbage truck crash, you need a New York City garbage truck accident lawyer who understands the legal, logistical, and municipal complexities of these cases.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our attorneys have decades of experience handling personal injury claims involving both DSNY trucks and private commercial sanitation vehicles throughout NYC.
We Handle All Types of NYC Garbage Truck Accidents
Our law firm represents victims in all five boroughs:
- Manhattan garbage truck accidents
- Brooklyn sanitation truck crashes
- Bronx pedestrian garbage truck collisions
- Queens commercial truck injury claims
- Staten Island waste management truck lawsuits
Whether your case involves a city-operated sanitation vehicle or a privately owned commercial truck, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Types of Garbage Trucks Operating in NYC
1. Municipal Garbage Trucks (DSNY)
- Run by the New York City Department of Sanitation
- Serve residential areas, public spaces, and nonprofits
- Legal deadlines:
- 90 days to file a Notice of Claim (GML § 50-e)
- 1 year and 90 days to file a lawsuit (GML § 50-i)
- Held to a “reckless disregard” legal standard while actively collecting garbage
2. Private Sanitation Trucks
- Operated by commercial waste removal companies
- Serve NYC businesses like restaurants, stores, and office buildings
- Governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- Standard 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits
Why Garbage Truck Accidents in NYC Are So Dangerous
Navigating a garbage truck through New York City’s crowded streets poses unique risks:
- Massive weight (up to 32 tons)
- Limited visibility and large blind spots
- Frequent, unpredictable stops in narrow streets
- Driver fatigue from long overnight shifts
- Pressure to complete routes quickly
- Poor vehicle maintenance and mechanical failures
These factors make accidents with cyclists, pedestrians, and passenger vehicles much more likely.
Common Garbage Truck Accident Injuries in NYC
Victims often suffer serious or life-altering injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Damage and Paralysis
- Multiple Fractures and Broken Bones
- Internal Bleeding and Organ Injuries
- Amputations, Crush Injuries, and Burns
- Emotional Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Our attorneys work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and losses.
What to Do After a Garbage Truck Accident in New York City
If you’ve been injured in a sanitation truck crash, take the following steps immediately:
- Call 911 and request medical assistance
- Document the scene — take photos and gather witness info
- Report the accident (call 311 for city vehicles)
- Contact a New York garbage truck accident lawyer before speaking to insurance companies
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Garbage Truck Crash in NYC?
Multiple parties may be responsible, including:
- The garbage truck driver (for negligence or recklessness)
- The sanitation company or DSNY (for poor hiring or training)
- Maintenance contractors (for mechanical failure)
- Truck manufacturers (if faulty equipment contributed to the accident)
- Other drivers or municipalities (in shared fault situations)
Our legal team conducts thorough investigations using:
- Surveillance footage
- Black box data and GPS logs
- Maintenance records
- Driver logs and personnel files
- Witness statements and accident reconstructions
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
We fight to recover maximum compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past, ongoing, and future care)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage (vehicle repairs/replacement)
- Wrongful death damages (if a loved one was killed)
- Punitive damages for gross negligence or recklessness
Under New York’s comparative negligence rule, even partially at-fault victims can recover damages (CPLR § 1411).
NYC Sanitation Worker Injury Claims
We also represent sanitation workers injured on the job, including:
- Falls from moving trucks
- Crush injuries during trash collection
- Injuries from vehicle malfunctions or falling debris
- Slip-and-fall accidents on icy roads
We help injured workers understand their rights under workers’ compensation and third-party claims.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
- Offices across Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
- Local attorneys with deep understanding of New York City traffic laws
- Bilingual services available for Spanish-speaking clients
- No fee unless we win — Our Fee Guarantee
- Top-rated NYC personal injury attorneys featured in Best Lawyers & Super Lawyers
- In-house access to accident reconstructionists, economists, and medical experts
Contact a Top-Rated New York City Garbage Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t wait. Strict deadlines apply—especially in municipal DSNY cases. The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) now for a free consultation with a New York garbage truck injury lawyer.
No upfront fees
Available 24/7
Offices in all five boroughs
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP — Don’t Be a Victim Twice.