Delivery Driver Accident

Were You Injured by a Delivery Driver? We’re Here to Help!

Two-day deliveries were once reserved for those who could afford the steep prices. These days, however, everyone expects their package to arrive just a couple days after they order it. This level of convenience has made online ordering a breeze, and many of us prefer it to going into physical stores. With new technology often comes downsides, however. As deliveries become more and more prevalent, the vehicles our packages are transported in have begun to clog up our roads and pose a massive risk to those driving near them.

We at The Husband & Wife Law Team have seen just how devastating collisions with delivery vehicles can be, whether they involve trucks or vans. Delivery drivers and the companies they work for have a duty to operate responsibly and to keep those sharing the road with them safe. Unfortunately, corners often get cut in the name of profits. Those cut corners often result in serious injuries, intense property damage, and even death. If you or a loved one have been involved in a wreck with a delivery driver, then you deserve justice. Call our firm for a free consultation and a helping hand.

Why Delivery Vehicle Accidents Happen

In this age of technology and convenience, getting a package delivered only a couple of days after you ordered it is the norm. But that intense need for expedited delivery has pushed far more delivery trucks and vans out on to the street. Amazon, for example, delivers an average of 5 billion packages a year. That’s millions of packages a day. FedEx and UPS aren’t that far behind and are often contracted to handle Amazon deliveries. With millions upon millions of packages being moved every day, it is no wonder that there are so many delivery trucks barreling down our roads and highways.

Deliveries are often made using 18-wheeler trucks for max efficiency. These trucks can weigh upwards of 80,000 lbs. and can be incredibly dangerous if operated by a poorly trained driver. They are difficult to stop, must take turns carefully, and could easily run over a car while merging. With so many deliveries to be made, more and more 18-wheelers have been popping up on our roads, causing more and more catastrophic truck accidents.

After the package is delivered to a hub near the final destination, a smaller van will usually be used for the final leg of the journey. While vans are less dangerous than trucks, they still pose a major risk of rolling over given their high center of gravity.

What is even worse, is that many of these drivers are massively overworked. Amazon delivery drivers, for example, are expected to make 999 out of 1,000 deliveries on time, according to the New York Times. That means that a single slip up could result in them being reprimanded or even fired. With their livelihood on the line, many of these drivers will behave negligently in order to make every delivery on time. They may:

• Drive fatigued

• Run red lights and stop signs

• Drive distracted

• Speed

• Make dangerously sharp turns

• Not yielding the right of way

• Ignore traffic laws

Any of these acts could easily result in a delivery truck crash. Colliding with a truck or van, especially if they are speeding, is a sure way to become catastrophically injured. The truth is delivery vehicle accidents are incredibly dangerous, and as the number of deliveries made each year increases, so will the injuries that these collisions cause.

The Threat of Delivery Vehicles

Delivery trucks and vans are heavier and larger than passenger vehicles. That means that when a truck or van collides with a car, the car is usually the one who faces worse damage. After being involved in a crash with a delivery vehicle, it is very likely that you will be left with serious and catastrophic injuries. Some of the more common ones include:

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Broken and fractured bones

• Spine injuries

• Paralysis

• Severe burns

• Amputation

• Organ damage

• Lacerations

• Crush injuries

A collision with a delivery vehicle, especially if it is a truck, can also be fatal. These large vehicles can easily crush anything else on the road, resulting in severe injuries that take months, sometimes even years, to heal. That means you may be facing forced time off of work, high medical bills, even the loss of your career if your injuries leave you unable to perform your normal duties.

Thankfully, filing a personal injury claim may allow you to recover enough damages that you don’t have to worry about any of that.

Filing a Claim Against a Delivery Company

When a delivery driver hits you, oftentimes the company they work for will have commercial liability policies in place to cover accident claims. Both FedEx and UPS have liability policies with a $1 million limit for accidents caused by their drivers. That means filling a claim against these companies could get you a large enough settlement that you could comfortably recover. That being said, these companies are unlikely to give up that money willingly. Such giants have fleets of lawyers backing them up and will look for every way that they can undermine your case.

On the other hand, Amazon has done everything in its power to make sure it is never liable for the collisions its drivers cause. Amazon delivery drivers are not considered employees of Amazon, excluding those that do their grocery deliveries for Wholefoods. Instead, Amazon delivery drivers are actually employed by third-party delivery companies that contract their workers out to Amazon. This means that if a driver working for Amazon causes your crash, you can’t actually file a claim against the massive e-commerce company. Instead, you will have to file a claim against the smaller company that the driver actually works for. A successful claim, however, depends on the skill of your delivery driver accident attorney.

Outstanding Legal Representation in Arizona

An accident with a delivery vehicle can easily become a nightmare. Not only is the accident itself terrifying, but the hospital bills, the time off from work, and the property damage done to your car can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to all of that, you then have to go up against a large delivery company with an army of lawyers in order to receive proper compensation. Thankfully, there is still hope. By calling The Husband & Wife Law Team, you could have decades of experience backing both you and your claim up. Contact our car accident attorneys to get the help you need.