Delivery trucks are more common than ever, and so are delivery truck accidents.
Friday, May 1, 2020 – Now more than ever, food, household items, office supplies, and other online delivery services are important. GrubHub, Uber Eats, Instacart, Amazon, Postmates, and a host of other deliveries have become vital to our economy and to our lives. Delivery drivers rarely intend to cause accidents, but they are under significant pressure to fill orders fast. Unfortunately, that can lead to speeding, distracted driving, reckless driving, and fatigue — all factors that can cause vehicle crashes.
Unlike other commercial vehicle accidents, crashes involving delivery truck drivers can and do happen in residential neighborhoods. As a result, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other innocent drivers can be left with catastrophic injuries.
So who is responsible for paying for damages or injuries when a delivery driver causes a crash?
How do you seek justice when you’re involved in a delivery truck accident in Missouri, Illinois, and other surrounding states?
Where can you turn to find help navigating these often complicated claims?
The experienced attorneys at OnderLaw can help. Give us a call at 314-963-9000 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Who Pays for a Delivery Truck Accident?
Though laws differ state-by-state, there may be several people or entities responsible when it comes to delivery truck accidents. The driver must carry his or her own personal insurance policy, but in most cases, the company they work for may also be responsible. Occasionally, the driver must also have separate delivery or commercial coverage.
The question of who must pay is dependent upon the circumstances of the collision.
What Kind of Factors Make a Difference in my Claim?
There are several factors that may come into play in an insurance claim when you are injured or a family member is killed in an accident caused by a delivery driver.
- Was the driver impaired?
- Was the driver driving recklessly?
- Was the driver speeding?
- Did the driver have a history of driving infractions, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
- Was the driver under an unreasonable amount of pressure by the company to complete a quota of deliveries?
Though some of these factors will hopefully be in the police report, you may never know if a driver had a history of dangerous driving, or what pressure he or she was under by the company. Also, police reports may not always be accurate. Witnesses may be able to testify that a driver appeared to be driving too fast or recklessly. A capable delivery truck accident lawyer can investigate and uncover any hidden factors, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
When are Companies that Employ Delivery Drivers Responsible?
If a delivery truck driver causes an accident while he or she is carrying out the duties of their employment, the delivery company is generally responsible for the driver’s negligence. Delivery companies generally have insurance policies that provide more coverage than personal policies, so you are more likely to receive fair compensation when this is the case.
However, be aware that these corporate insurance companies are often less likely to negotiate with you without a lawyer. An experienced attorney who understands and will fight for your rights can help you to obtain the compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured in an accident that was the fault of a delivery driver in Missouri, Illinois, or anywhere in the United States, contact OnderLaw at 314-963-9000.
When is a Delivery Driver’s Personal Insurance Responsible?
Many delivery drivers use their personal vehicles to do their jobs. Postmates, GrubHub, Instacart, and many other companies save billions of dollars a year by avoiding the cost of buying delivery vehicles by putting the burdens of vehicle ownership on their drivers. Unfortunately, when those drivers are involved in accidents when they are logged out, clocked out, or are running a personal errand while working, the delivery company’s insurance company generally will not cover damages.
Adding to the complication, many personal insurance policies exclude commercial activities, including driving for a delivery company, from their coverage.
Insurance companies are part of a for-profit industry, and their goal is always to pay out as little money as possible. In accidents involving delivery drivers, it is not uncommon for personal and commercial insurance providers to put the blame on each other. When this happens, the accident victim loses.
If you are injured in an accident involving a delivery truck driver, or by someone who was using their personal vehicle for deliveries, the attorneys at OnderLaw can stand up for your rights and insist that you receive full compensation.
Call OnderLaw at 314-963-9000 from anywhere in the United States for a free, no-obligation. Our attorneys have a long history of helping our clients receive full compensation.
What Do I Do if I’ve been Hit by a Delivery Driver?
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident caused by a delivery driver, you should:
- Call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Provide accurate and thorough information to responding officer(s).
- Take pictures of damage to both vehicles and document any injuries that resulted.
- Go to the emergency room or visit a doctor for any injuries you sustained. Keep records of the visit.
- Record or get copies of all of the delivery driver’s insurance information, including policies held by the delivery company.
- File a personal claim with each insurer.
Do NOT do the following:
- Do not admit any amount of blame to officers, the driver, or to anyone at the scene.
- Do not sign or verbally agree to any offers made by an insurance company without consulting an attorney.
Claims against delivery drivers can be tough to handle on your own. An OnderLaw accident attorney will do the difficult work for you so that you can focus on healing, and on moving forward with the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
