Unsecured Load...Accident?

I'm confused ( happens easily)
Unsecured load? Pulling a dumpster up is not unsecured load
Nearby tree damage? I can tell you from experience, any tree near a roadway is required to be trimmed to a height where a 13' 6" truck can pass. Tree owner is responsible. Same goes for cable TV wires or power lines.
Accident report? City may give you a report but.... go to court (hire a lawyer or not) explain what happened honestly. Case dismissed. Tear up any tickets. Keep any reports. Done.

 

There is an old rule in the trucking industry: "the trucker driver is responsible for loading, unloading and securing the load. Maybe at a receiver or shipping docks this could be an exception; however, as the operator who was loading the load and caused damage, it will be a tough battle to win in a court room.

 

Its not about the damage, its about the charges

 

What aren't you getting?

The report isn't part of the CSA (inspection only), MVR (ticket only), DAC (Company only) and won't effect your insurance.

 

I don't think the cop should have given you a ticket for unsecure load. Because you were in the process of loading the dumpster on your truck.
The dumpster didn't fall off the truck. It caused property damage to the tree.

I don't think you should be cited for a vehicle accident either. The truck was not being operated as a motor vehicle while the damage occurred. You were not driving the vehicle.

Should you be liable for the tree damage, maybe.. I don't see why.
You had to load the dumpster.
Hire an attorney and see the judge or talk to the da. They might dismiss it.
Good luck.

 

Lawyer experienced in that jurisdiction would be your best bet. Just fought a nasty officer. Had to be present but lawyer got it dismissed. One of my co workers got a ticket in North New Jersey , NJ. For breaking a branch hanging over the street. Don't remember what the infraction was called. We called it ridiculous.