In May 2018, Crosley Law filed a lawsuit on behalf of a young man who suffered very serious brain injuries when a delivery truck crashed into his bicycle. Emergency department doctors had to place the young victim in an induced coma, and for a while, it was unclear whether he would even survive. Now, he faces the difficult task of recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and his life will probably never be the same.
While this case is tragic, its circumstances are all too common. Truck drivers and delivery drivers suffer more fatal injuries than any other type of profession, and most of these injuries are due to collisions with other vehicles. Unfortunately, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians also frequently suffer injuries in these wrecks.
What Causes Delivery Truck Accidents?
As convenient websites like Amazon, Grubhub, and Shipt continue to make more and more goods available for home delivery, demand for delivery services is surging. One result is that many drivers are overworked and under increasing pressure to complete routes faster.
Not only that, but as delivery-based businesses rapidly take on drivers to meet rising demand, they frequently fail to give new, inexperienced drivers the training and support they need. This dangerous combination creates a high risk for driver mistakes and deadly wrecks.
Delivery truck crashes result from a variety of common factors, including human error and mechanical failures. When Crosley Law represents a crash victim, we always perform a thorough investigation of the collision. Sometimes, we discover:
- Driver negligence, such as failure to yield, speeding, or distracted driving
- Drunk, drugged, or drowsy driving
- Poorly maintained delivery vehicles
- Defective vehicle parts that caused or contributed to the crash
- Poor hiring and training policies on the part of delivery companies
Unfortunately, the consequences of these wrecks are usually severe for the victims. Delivery trucks are much larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles, which makes them harder to maneuver or stop and creates significant blind spots for the driver. The additional weight also means these trucks tend to cause especially devastating injuries when they collide with another vehicle, a cyclist, or a pedestrian.
Who Is Financially Responsible for Delivery Driver Negligence?
When a delivery driver hits you or a loved one, you might have multiple claims. The law treats most delivery drivers as employees, which means the company who hired them is financially responsible if the driver causes a crash during the course of their employment.
However, you can’t necessarily tell who a delivery driver’s employer is by looking at the logo on their uniform or truck. Some delivery companies, such as FedEx, outsource their deliveries to independent contractors and other companies. If you’re hit by a FedEx driver or a driver for a similar company, your lawyer will have to carefully assess the facts of your case and the insurance policies of each company involved to determine who may be financially responsible.
“The law treats most delivery drivers as employees, which means the company who hired them is financially responsible if the driver causes a crash during the course of their employment.”
RELATED CLIENT STORY: Hit By an Uninsured Driver: Crosley Client Receives Maximum Settlement
In addition to liability claims against the negligent driver and his or her employer, you might also have insurance claims involving your personal injury protection (PIP) policy or uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) policy, assuming you carry this type of coverage. Finally, you might have product liability claims against one or more manufacturers if a defective truck part, such as the truck’s tires, brakes, or steering system, failed and caused the crash.
Sorting out which types of claims you might have after a delivery truck wreck and who might be liable can be a very complicated process. That’s why you should always contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away if you’ve been hurt by a negligent delivery truck driver.
Crosley Law: Fighting for San Antonio Delivery Truck Accident Victims
At Crosley Law, we’re using all our available resources and fighting aggressively to help the young crash victim who came to us after a delivery truck injured him. If you’ve been injured in a collision because of someone else’s negligence, we would love the opportunity to do the same for you.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a delivery truck crash or any other type of wreck, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your legal rights and explain our aggressive, cutting-edge approach to representing injured victims, all at no financial risk to you. Contact us today by completing our easy online form or calling 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017, December 19). Census of fatal occupational injuries summary, 2016. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
