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Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Delivery Vehicle Accidents
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Delivery vehicles play a vital role in our daily lives, transporting goods to both stores and to our doorsteps. The increase in online shopping, more remote workers in the workforce, and the past lockdowns and isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have put more delivery vehicles on the road than ever before. Delivery vehicles can encompass a wide range of vehicle types, including commercial trucks, passenger cars delivering food or groceries, courier vehicles, mail carrier vehicles and more.
Delivery vehicle accidents occur when vehicles used for delivering goods are involved in collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. These accidents can result in serious injuries, medical expenses, and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one has been involved in a delivery vehicle accident, it is crucial to understand your rights and seek legal representation from an experienced lawyer like those at VanDerGinst Law to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Reasons Delivery Vehicle Accidents Occur
Delivery vehicle crashes can be caused by the negligence of the driver, the company who owns the vehicle or other parties. Some factors that play a role in delivery vehicle accidents can include distracted driving, intoxication, inadequate training, improper vehicle maintenance, failure to follow traffic laws, or adverse weather conditions.
There are also reasons for crashes that are more specific to delivery vehicle drivers.
Customers have become accustomed to fast delivery times. The customer’s needs are placed at the highest priority for delivery companies. This can result in delivery drivers speeding or driving recklessly to get to their locations on time.
Food delivery drivers make more money by completing a higher number of deliveries so they’re more likely to speed or take more risks to complete deliveries as quickly as possible.
Delivery vehicle accidents can also occur because couriers find themselves in unfamiliar places. When drivers are driving on unfamiliar roads, it is more likely accidents will happen.
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How Often Do Delivery Vehicle Accidents Occur?
There is no way to know exactly how many accidents with delivery vehicles happen each year, but it is clear they are quite common. Since 2012:
- UPS has reported an increase in crashes involving their vehicles of 38%
- DHL has reported a 100% increase
- FedEx accidents have increased 254%
- USPS reports that 10-15% of their vehicles are involved in accidents each year
These statistics should make it clear that delivery vehicle accidents are an increasing problem.
Who is Liable to Compensate Victims of Delivery Vehicle Accidents
If you were injured in a delivery vehicle accident, there may be several parties who may be liable. The driver and the company who employs the driver may bear some responsibility for compensating an injured party. However, this is dependent on the circumstances of each case so contacting one of our experienced delivery vehicle accident lawyers at VanDerGinst Law is the best course of action. Their expertise in this type of case will ensure all liable parties are held responsible.
Investigating a Delivery Vehicle Accident
Because there are so many possible causes for delivery vehicle accidents, and multiple potential parties bearing some responsibility, it is vital that a proper investigation be done as soon as possible. Importance evidence in proving negligence could include:
- Witness contact information
- Photos and/or videos from the scene of the accident
- Cell phone records
- Logbooks’
- Personnel files on the driver
Accidents with delivery vehicles can be complicated. At VanDerGinst Law we send a spoliation letter to potential liable parties right away to prevent the destruction or manipulation of any evidence that could prove negligence.
How to Protect Your Rights After a Delivery Vehicle Accident
If you do not need immediate medical attention and it is safe to do so, you may
- Document the scene of the accident with photos and/or videos
- Gather contact information for witnesses
Otherwise, the best things you can do to protect yourself is
- Treat your injuries. Get the necessary care to treat injuries caused in the accident. Be sure to keep a list of all the medical care providers so that records can be ordered.
- Memorialize your recovery. Keep a journal to outline how your life is adversely impacted by your injuries. Take photos and videos to show your recovery efforts and the impact on your life.
- Contact VanDerGinst Law. We will ensure your case is properly documented so you can receive the maximum compensation available for your case.
Bringing a Claim for Injuries Caused by a Delivery Vehicle Accident
People hurt in an accident with a delivery vehicle generally are entitled to compensation if it can be shown another party was responsible for causing the crash that caused the injuries. Once fault has been established, the injured party will need to show the extent of their damages. The forms of compensation which may be available include (but are not limited to):
- Medical bills
- Past and future lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Disability (failure to enjoy a normal life)
- Wrongful death (if there is a loss of life)
- Scarring
- Emotional distress/mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Out of pocket expenses
How Much Compensation Should You Get for Your Injuries?
If you suffered injuries in a collision with a delivery vehicle, you may wonder what your claim is worth. Every situation is unique. Any attorney who would attempt to give you an idea of the true value of your claim without a detailed analysis is either incompetent or untrustworthy.
Assessing the value of a claim involves answering the following questions:
- Are your injuries severe or permanent?
- What are the nature of your injuries?
- What type of treatment did your injuries require?
- What was the length of your care and treatment?
- Are you still receiving treatment? If so, for how long do you expect to continue treating?
- What was the cost of your care and treatment? What do you expect the cost of future care to be?
- Did you have to miss any work due to your injuries?
- Did you lose any wages? If so, how much income have you lost?
- Are you expected to lose further income? If so, for how long?
- Do you experience pain and suffering related to your injuries? If so, how would you rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 and how has the pain evolved over the course of time?
- Did you require specialized medical equipment, such as a wheelchair or ramp after your injury?
- Did the accident leave you disfigured or scarred in any way?
- Did you sustain any temporary or permanent disability? If so, what were they?
These are just a few questions to assist in determining a fair compensation amount in a delivery vehicle accident case. A consultation with a VanDerGinst Law delivery vehicle accident lawyer can help you obtain a better understanding regarding compensation available to you.
Wrongful Death Actions
If your loved one died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident with a delivery vehicle, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. Typically, close family members, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings may pursue a wrongful death action. The compensation you receive will never replace the loss of your loved one, but it will allow you to be compensated for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost financial support, and compensation for your grief and emotional distress.
Contact a Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today
A collision with a delivery vehicle can leave you injured, with high medical bills, the inability to work, and pain and suffering. VanDerGinst law can help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Call today 800-960-8529 or click here.`
The Importance of Legal Representation
If you are injured in a truck accident, you deserve fair and just compensation. Though money won’t take away your pain, it can help you get the care you need, or assist family for any loss they suffer due to the accident victim’s injuries or death.
Truck accidents are complex and may involve multiple parties subject to different rules and regulations. An experienced personal injury attorney can fight for your rights and make sure that all parties are held responsible. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident involving a drunk driver or a driver under the influence of drug, the truck accident lawyers of VanDerGinst Law can help. Call 800-960-8529 or click here for a FREE, no obligation consultation.
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