Delivery trucks are everywhere on America’s roads. From large tractor-trailers and semi-trucks to the small UPS or Amazon vans coming up your driveway, these trucks play a crucial role in getting parts and products to businesses and end users.
Unfortunately, sometimes things can go wrong, and accidents can happen with delivery trucks. These types of incidents can raise complex issues as you determine which defendants are liable for losses and which regulatory rules apply.
You need an experienced attorney on your side to fight for your rights when you’re harmed by a delivery driver, and Drafahl Law Firm can provide the help and support you deserve. Contact our St. Louis delivery truck accident lawyers today to learn more.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck accidents can happen for many different reasons, but there are certain common crash causes, including:
- Driver distraction: Delivery drivers travel through unfamiliar neighborhoods and must watch for addresses and look at their navigation devices. This can cause them to look away from the road, which increases the collision risk.
- Reckless driving: Delivery drivers are often under pressure to make a large number of deliveries in a short time.. This can lead them to engage in high-risk behaviors like speeding or changing lanes without warning.
- Careless reversing: Delivery drivers often have to back down driveways and maneuver around in tight areas. When they are reversing, they may not pay careful attention to other vehicles or pedestrians, leading to devastating accidents.
- Failing to properly secure cargo: Delivery drivers often try to cram as many packages into small spaces as they can, sometimes without properly securing them. There have even been instances where drivers travel down roads with their rear doors open to save time when going from house to house. This can increase the risk of falling cargo accidents.
- Inadequate driver training. Delivery drivers don’t always have to undergo the same rigorous training that drivers of semi trucks and tractor-trailers do. Companies may hire untrained individuals, especially if there is a shortage of drivers in the area, and this increases the risk of something going wrong.
Sadly, many of the top causes of delivery truck accidents come from negligent behaviors in which companies and drivers put profits over people. When these drivers cause a collision, they should be held liable for the resulting harm.
Who is Responsible for Delivery Truck Accidents?
Delivery truck accident cases are complicated by the fact that some delivery drivers are employees and others are independent contractors. For example, some FedEx drivers work directly for the company, while others do not and are 1099 freelance contractors.
This matters because a delivery company is responsible for the on-the-job behavior of its employees, but not necessarily of its independent contractors.
An experienced delivery truck accident lawyer can help you determine what the relationship is between the delivery driver and the company whose goods are being delivered, as this will shape the potential defendants you can pursue claims against.
Getting Legal Help from a Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer
A delivery truck accident lawyer knows the ins and outs of these claims. A skilled attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence, including interviewing witnesses, obtaining Ring camera and other security camera data, subpoenaing records, and more.
With the right legal advice, you can build a strong case, identify all those responsible, and get the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call Drafahl Law Firm today to talk with our delivery truck accident lawyers and learn more about the advocacy we can offer.