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Legally Reviewed by:

Jonathan Rosenfeld
J.D

March 2, 2023

Over $400 Million worth of case results

Awarded The Best Lawyer in 2024 by U.S. News

Nationally Recognized in Legal Community

If you are a construction worker, then you know that working with heavy equipment is a part of the job. While these machines can be dangerous, they are also necessary for completing certain tasks.

Unfortunately, accidents can happen, even when using the most basic pieces of equipment. If you or someone you know has been injured in a front-end loader accident, it is important to seek legal assistance right away.

front-end-loader-after-person-injured-in-accident

Were you injured in a construction accident? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury attorneys have experience helping victims of construction accidents receive the compensation they deserve.

Call our farm accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation.

Front Loader: Necessary Equipment

Front-end loaders are necessary construction equipment that are most often used to move or load large amounts of material. In some cases, a front-end loader can also be used in order to dig.

Front end loaders typically have a bucket on the front of the machine that can be filled with materials such as dirt, rocks, snow, or debris. They also have a set of hydraulic arms that are used to lower and dump the bucket.

There are many hazards associated with loader accidents. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident involving heavy equipment, you should get in touch with a personal injury attorney that specializes in front end loader accidents.

Moving Dirt and Rocks With a Front Loader

Most loaders are operated by a seated driver who uses a set of controls in order to operate the machine. The driver must follow the instructions to ensure safe operation..

A front-end loader is typically used in the construction and landscaping industries. Its purpose is to move large amounts of materials, such as dirt, sand, and gravel, from one location to another.

The loader scoops up material and then dumps it elsewhere. The operator controls it with a set of joysticks located in the cab of the loader.

Types of Front End Loader Accidents

As with any type of machinery, there is always the potential for accidents to occur. One of the most common scenarios involving loaders is when the bucket lowers too quickly and strikes an object or person. Dumping the load when the bucket is lower than it should be could cause a few problems.

For one, if the dumping occurs too quickly, the material it is carrying can fall away from its actual position. Plus, if the heavy equipment operating employee is not careful when lowering, there can be a case of machinery caused collision in the work area.

Another common type of collision occurs when the loader is driven over uneven terrain in the work area. If the driver doesn’t exercise reasonable care while operating the heavy equipment, they could sustain injuries as a result of the loader tipping over.

Additionally, the company owner should provide the relevant employee with training on how to safely operate the machinery.

It is best to follow the instructions given by the equipment manufacturers. Most equipment manufacturers also have the instructions on their websites.

Causes of Loader Accidents

A front-end loader is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment on a construction site. It can be used for a variety of tasks, including excavating, loading and hauling materials, and grading roads.

Despite their usefulness, front-end loaders are also involved in a significant number of front-end loader accidents each year.

There are many factors that can contribute to front-end loader accidents. In some cases, the operator may be at fault. Other times, there may be a mechanical failure or design flaw.

One of the most common causes of front-end loader accidents is operator error when dumping, backing up or driving the machinery. Many equipment operators do not have enough training or experience to operate the machine safely.

Here are some common errors:

  • Wrong Reverse: If the operator puts the loader in equipment at the wrong place or time, they can drive over someone or something. The driver should ensure when they are backing the vehicle in reverse, the alarm is sounding to alert everyone in the area.
  • Poor Maneuver: Since loaders are large vehicles, the equipment must be maneuvered properly.

Impaired Driving

In some cases, the operators may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They may also be fatigued from working long hours.

Another common cause of front-end loader accidents is poor maintenance. If the machine is not properly maintained, it can develop mechanical problems that can lead to accidents and injuries.

For example, worn-out buckets can fall off and hit someone, or a leaking hydraulic system can cause the loader to lose control, causing injuries on the site.

Loader accidents are often caused due to their size and weight. They can easily crush anyone in its path.

Distracted Driving

The machine can also tip over if they are not properly balanced when the operator is not paying attention or if the loader is carrying too much weight, for example, during road building.

Moreover, the turning radius of a loader is large, and the bucket lowers quickly. If a loader driver is not careful, they can easily hit a pedestrian or another vehicle. Road graders are also large vehicles with a long turning radius requiring lots of room to maneuver.

They are often used to clear snow from roads and parking lots. Unfortunately, like loaders and other heavy equipment, road graders, excavators, and boom lifts can cause serious accidents.

If you or a loved one was harmed by loaders, excavators, or boom lifts, you should consult a personal injury attorney. Many accidents are caused by untimely lowering or poor maneuver practice by the driver.

Compensation for Someone’s Negligence

Negligent actions are defined as the failure to take required care. It is the level of care that a reasonable person would have taken in the same situation.

For example, if the driver fails to turn on the alarm while backing the vehicle, pinning the victim against a wall or vehicle, they are considered negligent. Often, pinning the victim against an object leads to severe trauma or death.

Likewise, if a loader operator is not paying attention to their surroundings and hits a pedestrian, they may be found negligent. Conversely, if a pedestrian crosses the street without looking and is hit by a loader, the pedestrian may be found negligent rather than the operator.

In both cases, the results can be catastrophic, especially if the loader had a huge load. The victim of this catastrophic incident involving wheel loaders is entitled to compensation.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Resolve Your Front End Loader Accident Claim

People involved in front-end loader accidents are eligible for monetary compensation. Since front-end loader accidents cause injuries, the victim is entitled to medical compensation. Thus, victims of horrific front-end loader accidents can receive a monetary recovery to pay for their medical costs.

Overall, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In order to receive compensation, you will need to prove that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligent actions.

Call our law office today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your compensation claim.

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Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

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Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own.

- Ethan Armstrong

Jonathan helped my family heal and get compensation after our child was suffered a life threatening injury at daycare. He was sympathetic and in constant contact with us letting us know all he knew every step of the way. We were so blessed to find Jonathan!

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This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you.

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Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial.

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