Garbage Truck Accidents in Ohio: How They Happen and Why Claims Get Complicated
Garbage collection is one of those weekly events we barely pay attention to. The cans are rolled to the curb, put in position, and once they’re there, we don’t give them another thought until it’s time to bring them back in.
Encountering a garbage truck on the street is a different story. These massive vehicles, which can weigh up to 60,000 pounds when fully loaded, demand attention. They stop abruptly, reverse unexpectedly, and block lanes. Drivers must slow down, wait, or maneuver around them.
You may find yourself wondering if you’re in the truck’s blind spot or whether the driver notices you at all. The scene can feel chaotic as mechanical arms swing down to grab a bin and workers move around the rear of the truck. On trash day, you’re relieved your car isn’t parked along the curb.
One glancing blow from a vehicle that size and you’ve got more than empty bins to deal with. Now imagine that same impact at normal road speed. It’s not a pleasant thought. And if you do get into a garbage truck accident, the insurance claims process can be just as chaotic—and unpleasant.
How Trash Collection Works in Zanesville and Muskingum County—And Why It Matters
Trash collection is a modern convenience that’s easy to take for granted. In the past, before there were municipal and professional trash services, garbage was often thrown into the streets, where it caused odors, pollution, and disease outbreaks.
Today, collection systems are far more organized—though it’s still common to see the occasional piece of debris blowing around after pickup day.
But more than the stray wrappers or boxes, what we really notice are the trucks themselves. They’re big. They’re loud. They disrupt the normal flow of neighborhood traffic.
In Southeast Ohio, including Zanesville and Muskingum County, garbage collection is handled through a mix of municipal services and private hauling.
Depending on where you live, the truck traveling through your neighborhood may be operated directly by a city sanitation department, such as the City of Zanesville Solid Waste Management Department. In other areas, service is provided by private waste carriers such as:
- Rumpke Waste & Recycling
- Republic Services
- Kimble Recycling & Disposal
- Waste Management
- WIN – Waste Away
From behind the wheel of your own vehicle, that distinction isn’t obvious. A garbage truck is a garbage truck.
But after a collision, ownership matters. The claims process may look different depending on who operates the truck, what insurance coverage applies, and how the company or municipality handles investigations.
- An accident with a private sanitation truck is typically handled like other commercial vehicle accidents. The driver, operating company, and potentially other parties may be liable depending on how the crash happened.
- A claim involving a publicly operated vehicle (i.e., a City of Zanesville trash truck) may follow a different procedural path that involves additional steps and stricter rules, such as immunity.
- A claim can also fall somewhere in between: a private company operating under a municipal contract.
While the distinction may seem technical, the key point is simple: identifying who owns and operates the vehicle is one of the first important steps after a serious crash. This determines which set of rules will apply to the injury claim, and in some cases, the available coverage and who provides it.
Common Garbage Truck Accident Scenarios and Insurance Issues
Regardless of who operates the garbage truck, how garbage trucks operate creates recurring and predictable accident patterns.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which tracks data on garbage/refuse truck accidents, recorded more than 3,300 such crashes in 2025, including 167 Ohio garbage truck accidents.
- In 2024, there were 3,700 garbage truck crashes nationally. In 2023, that number was nearly 4,000 and in 2022, it exceeded 4,200.
- During the 4-year period from 2022 – 2025, Ohio saw a total of 521 garbage truck crashes. Some of these crashes were fatal, and many resulted in injuries.
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) also tracks accidents and injuries associated with the waste management industry.
Worker safety gets significant attention due to the high-risk nature of the job. Waste and recycling collection is one of the deadliest occupations. In fact, the City of Zanesville cited worker safety and reducing workers’ compensation claims as reasons for its new trash truck.
However, non-workers account for the majority of injuries and fatalities in garbage truck-related crashes.
According to data from the FMCSA and SWANA, the general public—including motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists—consistently accounts for approximately 75% of all injuries and fatalities resulting from waste truck accidents.
Other Motorists
Most serious injuries occur when a passenger vehicle collides with a garbage truck. These crashes are commonly:
- Rear-end collisions, where a motorist strikes a stopped garbage truck
- “Angle” crashes at intersections
- Wide-turn conflicts during right-hand turns
Garbage trucks stop frequently, merge repeatedly, and require a wide turning radius. Each of those movements increases conflict points per mile driven. Because these vehicles can weigh up to 30 tons when fully loaded, even moderate-speed impacts can result in severe injuries.
Possible insurance/claims issues:
- The sanitation company may argue the motorist was following too closely.
- The motorist may argue the truck stopped abruptly, failed to signal properly, or had malfunctioning lights.
- Disputes often arise over blind spots, brake lights, hazard lights, and positioning in the lane.
- Comparative negligence arguments are common, especially in turn and intersection cases.
Even when liability appears obvious, these cases can turn on seconds of timing and positioning.
Pedestrians
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable in garbage truck crashes. Severe pedestrian injuries often occur:
- During backing maneuvers
- When a truck makes a right-hand turn and the driver loses sight of someone in a blind zone
Garbage trucks operate in residential neighborhoods, near schools, driveways, and sidewalks—environments where pedestrian exposure is constant.
Possible insurance/claims issues:
- Was the pedestrian visible?
- Did the driver check mirrors and blind spots?
- Did the pedestrian enter unexpectedly?
- Were warning signals or alarms active?
The size and design of garbage trucks leave little margin for error. When a pedestrian is struck, the resulting injuries are likely to be serious. In many cases, the central question becomes whether the driver could—and should—have seen the pedestrian.
Cyclists and Motorcyclists
Cyclists and motorcyclists face particular risk in “squeeze” scenarios, where a garbage truck turns across their path or edges them toward the curb. The combination of large blind zones, elevated driver seating position, and wide turns increases the likelihood that smaller vehicles go unseen.
Possible insurance/claims issues:
- Whether the cyclist was inside a blind spot.
- Whether the truck encroached into the bike lane.
- Whether the turn was properly signaled.
- Whether lane positioning was appropriate for both vehicles.
Due to the extreme weight differential, injuries in these cases tend to be disproportionately severe compared to the speeds involved. A low-speed bike crash with a garbage truck can still be catastrophic.
Contact an Attorney Early So Your Claim Isn’t “Thrown Out”
Garbage collection is one of those “dirty jobs” that somebody has to do. But when it’s not done professionally and safely, this public service can lead to a personal injury.
All personal injury claims have limited filing deadlines. Those deadlines may be accelerated for municipal-level garbage truck accident claims. But whether it’s the city or a private hauler, it’s best not to wait to start the process. Investigations take time and unexpected issues can arise.
To keep evidence fresh and timelines sorted, contact a personal injury attorney at Graham Law.