The world is progressing, and you can buy almost anything online today. Various online websites, such as the popularly known Amazon, deliver millions of products every day. Therefore, delivery trucks are not uncommon in the United States. The more vehicles there are on the road, the more dangerous it becomes.
If you have been in a delivery truck accident, you are entitled to compensation for your damages. However, these claims are often complex, which makes it harder to seek compensation. Delivery truck accidents differ from passenger car accidents, so it is important to know the details about them. For more information, speak to a truck accident lawyer today.
What are some potential issues with delivery truck accident claims?
Major online product delivery services with commercial delivery carriers, such as FedEx and Amazon, do not hire employees to deliver the products in order to protect themselves from liability. Instead, they hire “independent contractors” to deliver packages. This means that the delivery men are not the company’s employees.
Therefore, the company will not be liable for the victim’s injuries if the delivery truck driver makes an error and injures someone. The truck driver is responsible for their actions. Due to this reason, determining liability after a delivery truck accident can be complex.
In some cases, more than one party is at fault, which means dealing with several insurance companies. The best way to ensure you win the case is to hire a truck accident attorney. Determining the potentially liable parties, dealing with multiple insurance adjusters, and establishing multiple negligences can be extremely stressful without an expert.
Causes of delivery truck accidents
Delivery trucks usually run on tight schedules, which is why they get into accidents often. Here are some common reasons why these accidents happen:
- The driver may suddenly stop the vehicle when they locate an address they were looking for. This sudden stop can cause them to crash into a vehicle or pedestrian.
- Delivery truck drivers often work for hours with breaks, which results in fatigue. Driving while fatigued can impair driving skills.
- When the driver accidentally passes an address of delivery, they back up their vehicle instead of circling the street. This can cause them to crash into a bike, cycle, or car.
- An improperly loaded delivery truck can cause balance issues and rollover accidents.
- Companies often hire inexperienced truck drivers. A truck is more complex than a passenger car vehicle and requires special training. Lack of training and experience can result in accidents.
