Boom trucks are commercial vehicles with a hydraulic crane mounted on the chassis. They can lift materials or people to complete work from heights. They’re a valuable part of public and private construction, infrastructure maintenance, construction operations, and electrical and utilities work. However, they can also be dangerous.
If you’ve been injured in a boom truck accident or suffered property damage due to an operational error, a Houston construction accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options.
How do boom truck accidents happen?
Boom truck accidents can happen in many different ways, including the following.
Operator error
Operating a boom truck involves driving a commercial vehicle plus operating the boom itself. In addition, there may be a second worker in the truck working in the basket. Injuries and collisions are more likely if the truck operator or bucket worker:
- Isn’t properly trained in their job
- Is tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Fails to take proper precautions
- Miscalculates the reach or capacity of the boom and basket
If operator error causes a boom truck accident, the liable parties could include the workers, their employer, or the truck owner. Companies or government organizations using boom trucks are responsible for properly training their operators and providing sufficient supervision.
Load issues
Exceeding the rating capacity for the basket can easily lead to an accident. This includes any people going up, plus equipment and tools they’re using,
Even when the load is under the rating, if it’s improperly distributed or unbalanced, it can still cause an accident. An uneven load makes maneuvering the basket much more difficult and increases the chances of falling objects hurting someone below. It can also cause a crash involving the basket itself.
Failure to secure the equipment, materials, or people the boom truck lifts is another cause of these devastating accidents.
Ground conditions
Boom trucks weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds. They require considerable stabilization for safety, including outriggers if the truck is on uneven or unstable ground.
If the truck operates on an unpaved surface, like packed earth, it can be more difficult to properly secure and stabilize the truck. An unstable boom truck can tip over, causing any people and materials that were hoisted to drop.
Working in poor weather conditions can also cause boom truck accidents. However, sometimes, there is no choice. Boom trucks are often used for emergency utility and infrastructure repairs, which often happen in inclement, sometimes dangerous weather.
Equipment malfunction
The best boom truck operator in the world can have an accident if the equipment fails. Faulty hydraulics or controls and worn or damaged components can render the vehicle, boom, or basket fundamentally unsafe.
The company owner or truck owner is responsible for properly maintaining its vehicles and equipment for safety. If an entity (including a city or county) fails to properly maintain the truck and it causes injury, then the company can be held liable.
Or, perhaps the company books mechanic services in good faith, but the mechanic does a bad job with the repair or maintenance. In these cases, liability may rest with the mechanic and possibly the vehicle owner.
Safety violations
Lack of site safety procedures or failure to follow safety protocols can easily cause an accident. While the company is responsible for setting safety protocols, the boom truck operator and supervisor are responsible for ensuring they are followed.
What to do after a boom truck accident
Your safety comes first after a boom truck accident. Call 911 or get medical attention. If you remain at the accident scene, waiting for EMS and the police, document as much of the scene as possible.
If your accident is work-related, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits (although not all Texas employers are required to carry workers’ comp). Always report the accident to your manager, even if your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp.
Save everything related to the accident, from incident reports to medical records. These will form the basis of your personal injury claim.
Get help with the aftermath of your boom truck accident
Protect your rights and receive full and fair compensation for your losses. Speak to an attorney familiar with boom trucks and your options for taking legal action.
At Havens & Associates, we work with you to pursue a workers’ comp claim, personal injury lawsuit, or both. Call our Houston construction accident lawyers at (713) 955-2215 today for a free consultation.
