Chicago Bucket Truck Accident Attorney

Bucket trucks—often referred to as cherry pickers or basket cranes—can put people at risk while they are on the roads or operating at a work site. Victims of accidents involving bucket trucks could face serious injuries and massive financial implications.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can guide injured victims through the claims process if they get hurt while tree trimming, working with power lines, roofs, or other precarious circumstances.

What Is a Bucket Truck Used For?

A bucket truck is a type of utility truck used to raise workers to a certain height. They are also sometimes called crane trucks, boom lifts, or boom trucks. Bucket trucks use an extended boom to raise the bucket, which can fit a person, to a certain height.

Usually, you will see bucket trucks used by electrical companies when working on power lines or construction companies to allow utility workers to reach heights without using scaffolding. Some bucket trucks and other aerial lifts are also used for cutting down trees, landscape work, cleaning windows, and putting up billboards.

Common Types of Bucket Truck Accidents

Bucket truck accidents can injure multiple parties, including workers, contractors, and even pedestrians who are nearby. Getting hurt due to a bucket truck can result in a serious injury claim if negligence is involved. Common bucket truck accidents include:

• Collisions – Collisions with bucket trucks can occur while they are driving or during operation when they are parked along the side of a street or in a driveway.
• Hydraulic power failure – Hydraulics are used to hoist the bucket upward and keep it there, so a system failure could cause the structure to fall, injuring the worker in the bucket or others nearby
• Electrocution – Although these boom trucks are typically designed with non-conductive materials, electrocutions can still happen and cause severe injuries to workers near power lines. Electrocution accounts for roughly 30% of aerial lift accidents. [1]
• Falls – Workers can fall out of the bucket and get injured due to contact with the ground. 50% of boom lift falls are caused by collisions with other motorists, cranes, falling objects, and jerky movements. [2]
• Overturns/Tip-Over Accidents – Bucket trucks have a high center of gravity, especially while the boom is extended, so they are at risk of tipping over.

Common Bucket Truck Injuries

Injuries suffered in a bucket truck accident can range from relatively minor to life-threatening. The severity of your injuries will play a role in your claim, whether it is for workers’ compensation or a personal injury lawsuit. Common injuries suffered in incidents involving bucket trucks include:

• Broken bones
• Bruising
• Lacerations
• Road rash
• Head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Burns
• Electrocutions from power lines
• Contusions
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Death

Safety Work Practices to Prevent Bucket Truck Accidents

Bucket trucks are dangerous for several reasons, primarily because of the height of the workers, the weight of the vehicle, and the possibility of electrocution. As a result of these dangers, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has many standards for how bucket trucks are to be designed and operated.

• Workers in the lift must wear a body belt and lanyard attached to the bucket or basket
• Boom and basket weight limits set by the vehicle manufacturer cannot be exceeded
• Bucket trucks cannot be moved while the boom is lifted and there is a worker inside the bucket or basket unless the vehicle is designed for that purpose
• There must be controls in both the bucket/basket and on the ground level for operating the boom
• Electrical tests must be performed and passed for the bucket truck to be used, particularly for electrical tasks

Legal Liability for a Bucket Truck Accident

Liability is crucial in cases involving bucket trucks. While fault does not play a role in workers’ compensation claims, it is necessary for personal injury lawsuits. Accidents involving bucket trucks could have numerous liable parties involved, and it is important to determine who the responsible party is before you pursue compensation for legal damages.

Your bucket truck accident attorney will help you determine which of the following parties is responsible for your accident:

• Coworkers
• Bucket operator
• The driver of the bucket truck
• Truck drivers or other vehicle drivers
• Pedestrians who disrupt the work zone
• Product manufacturers of the bucket truck
• Your employer

How Our Bucket Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help After an Accident

In the wake of a bucket truck accident, securing the assistance of specialized legal counsel can be instrumental in navigating the complex landscape of claims and compensation. Here’s how the team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help with your case:

Understanding Your Legal Rights

A specialized lawyer can help you comprehend your legal rights and responsibilities following a bucket truck accident. We provide clarity on the laws and regulations applicable to your case, ensuring you are fully informed about the avenues available for seeking compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Effective evidence collection is crucial to any personal injury claim, and a seasoned lawyer is well-equipped to manage this process. This includes obtaining accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and any other relevant documentation that can substantiate your case.

Filing Claims

Filing claims can be overwhelming without expert guidance. A lawyer can assist you in preparing and submitting workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits, ensuring all paperwork is completed accurately and within the statute of limitations.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, and negotiating with them can be challenging. An experienced lawyer can handle these negotiations on your behalf, striving to secure a fair settlement that accurately reflects the extent of your injuries and damages.

Representing You in Court

Should your case proceed to litigation, having a knowledgeable lawyer represent you in court can be pivotal. They will present your case comprehensively, utilizing their expertise to advocate for your best interests and seek maximum compensation for your injuries, making sure the responsible party is held liable.

What to Do After a Bucket Truck Accident

Bucket truck accidents are complex, and to file a successful claim, you must follow the appropriate steps in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Failing to do so could undermine your case, resulting in less compensation or even a full dismissal of the claim.

Here are the steps you should take after getting hurt in an accident involving a bucket truck:

• Seek medical attention – Your first priority is to take care of yourself, so seek out medical treatment for your injuries immediately. If you wait, insurance companies can use that delay as evidence of your injuries not being that serious
• Report the incident – It is crucial to report any workplace injury to your employer as soon as possible following a bucket truck accident. Whether the accident was caused by power lines, a coworker, or another factor, timely notification ensures that the incident is documented correctly and your rights are protected. Always refer to local regulations and guidelines or reach out to a bucket truck accident attorney to understand the specific timelines for reporting workplace injuries in your area.
• Collect evidence – Evidence is crucial, especially if you need to prove liability in your claim. Types of evidence can include medical records of treatment, the accident report, witness statements, images of the accident scene, vehicle maintenance records, and doctors’ notes
• Contact our bucket truck accident lawyers– The sooner you call us and speak with our bucket truck accident attorneys, the better for your case. Our team offers a free consultation so you can ask questions about your case, and then we will investigate the case further. We will help with collecting evidence, determine how much compensation you deserve, and level the playing field against the defendant and their insurance company.

Statute of Limitations for Accidents Involving Bucket Trucks

The type of claim you are filing will impact how long you have to file it. Statutes of limitations for personal injury claims, like a bucket truck accident, can vary widely depending on your jurisdiction, but a common window is two to three years from the date of the incident or discovery of injuries.

For workers’ compensation claims, the statute of limitations often allows for filing within a range of one to several years from the date of the incident or from the last payment of benefits, if that is later. This timeframe can differ significantly based on local laws and regulations.

In addition to the statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim, you must be aware of the specific deadline by which you are required to report the incident to your employer. Most jurisdictions mandate that this notification be made within a short period following the accident – often within 30 days, though this can vary. Failure to report the incident within the prescribed time frame can result in the denial of your workers’ compensation benefits.

Additionally, filing a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against your employer typically must be done within 30 to 180 days after the incident, depending on the specific violations you are reporting.

Compensation You Can Pursue After an Accident Involving Bucket Trucks

All bucket truck accidents are not the same, which means claimants may be after different things from case to case. For example, if nobody is at fault for the incident, or it is due to your employer, then a workers’ comp claim can provide financial compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and disability.

In injury cases where negligence is involved, you can pursue compensation for far more. Economic damages that can be obtained include lost income, medical bills, property damage, future medical expenses, and in wrongful death cases, funeral costs and loss of financial support.

Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. For wrongful death claims, surviving family members could also pursue loss of companionship as a non-economic damage.

All these damages are dependent on negligence and the status of the victim, whether they were a worker, visitor, contractor, or property owner. The best way to determine what you’re entitled to and to get a fair settlement is to schedule a free consultation with our bucket truck lawyers.

Contact an Experienced Bucket Truck Accident Lawyer Today!

Those hurt in accidents involving bucket trucks have the right to pursue compensation for their injuries, whether they are a worker, a pedestrian, or the owner of the property they are working on. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to help you build your case and overcome the financial challenges of your accident. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about any upfront legal costs, and will fight as hard as possible for your claim.

Based in Chicago, we’re dedicated to helping victims of bucket truck accidents across Illinois and take select cases nationwide. With a deep understanding of accidents involving bucket trucks and the injuries they result in, we will examine the circumstances surrounding your case to make sure you receive maximum compensation.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation with a construction injury lawyer in Chicago.

Specific Cases We Handle

• Concrete Burn Injury Lawsuit
• Construction Site Fall Lawyer
• Crane Accident Lawyer
• Defective Product Wrongful Death Lawyer
• Excavation Accident Lawyer

Resources: [1] OSHA, [2] SafetyNow

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.