DC Bucket Truck Accidents

Aerial trucks are known for several kinds of general accidents, regardless of the work being performed. While specific industries might be more prone to certain accidents—such as electrocution for utility workers—other industries can still be at risk. For example, while tree trimmers don’t specifically work on power lines, they are often performing tree maintenance near power lines and are still at risk for electrocution accidents.

Some of the most common aerial lift accidents include: 

• Falling: Perhaps the greatest risk of using a bucket truck or other aerial lift is falling or being ejected from the lift. This may be caused by a collision with another vehicle, falling objects such as tree branches, or poor operator-controlled bucket movement. Additionally, if the worker in the bucket isn’t careful and drops items from the bucket, the falling items can cause accidents on the ground involving pedestrians, motorists, or fellow workers.
• Tip-over: If the weight isn’t distributed correctly in a bucket truck or if weight limits are exceeded, the truck may tip over, causing severe injuries to workers and to any passing pedestrians or motorists. Workers must also ensure they park the truck on level ground when performing maintenance to maintain the vehicle’s stability. The boom of the truck raises its center of gravity, so bucket truck drivers need to be careful taking turns and at off-ramps when driving to and from worksites to avoid tip-overs.
• Collisions: Because bucket trucks are often used in utility maintenance and repairs, they work on or near roadways and can be the cause of vehicle collisions. If the bucket truck crew doesn’t use proper roadway signage to warn motorists of their presence and workspace, drivers may be unable to stop in time if a truck is blocking or partially blocking the road. Collision accidents can lead to workers being ejected from the bucket or cause the vehicle to tip over if its placement isn’t perfectly secure.
• Hydraulic power failure: If the systems that raise and lower the bucket fail, the bucket can drop and potentially eject the worker or even cause the truck to tip over. These accidents can be severe and often fatal for the worker on the ground as well as the worker in the bucket.
• Electrocution: Aerial lifts are often used for maintenance and work on power lines. Workers may come into contact with the lines due to windy conditions, an operator who accidentally makes contact between the line and the bucket worker, or from other inadvertent acts. Additionally, workers cutting tree branches or working on billboards or other signs around power lines run similar electrocution risks.

One accident can easily lead to another when it comes to bucket trucks—such as collisions and falling or tip-over accidents. If you have been injured in an accident involving a bucket truck, the attorneys at Regan Zambri Long can review your case and help you hold the responsible party accountable for your accident.