Injury and Accident Attorneys Serving St. Louis, Nearby Missouri, and Nearby Illinois
Delivery trucks often cause traffic accidents because they:
- Are regularly on the roadways
- Are often stopped with little to no warning
- May back up with little to no warning
- Are often double-parked
- Can significantly impede other drivers’ ability to see around them
- Can drop debris or boxes that cause other drivers to swerve or lose control of their cars.
In fact, even if the delivery truck itself is not involved in the collision, it can still be the cause of the accident due to some of the above-mentioned factors. In such cases, if any of the following types of negligence has played a role in causing the delivery truck accident, injured drivers may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, property damage and mental anguish:
- Truck drivers’ negligence, which can include speeding, failing to yield rights-of-way, cutting off other drivers or otherwise disobey traffic laws.
- Trucking company’s negligence, which may involve a trucking company failing to properly maintain its vehicles and/or failing to run background checks on its drivers.
- Vehicle equipment manufacturers’ negligence, which can include faulty or defective equipment, like brake systems or lane change indicators.
What Is Considered a Delivery Truck?
Delivery trucks are commercial vehicles with large, enclosed cargo spaces to hold goods. Examples of delivery trucks include refrigerator trucks, tank trucks, mail trucks, and semi-trailers.
Which Delivery Vehicles Cause the Most Accidents?
Delivery trucks that are commonly involved in traffic accidents include (but are not limited to):
- Food and beverage delivery trucks
- Furniture moving trucks
- Mail carrier trucks (including postal trucks, FedEx trucks, UPS trucks, etc.)
- Tool vendor trucks (such as Snap-On trucks)
What Are the Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents?
Myriad factors can play a role in delivery truck accidents. Some of the most common include:
- Driver Distraction
- Novice or Inexperienced Drivers
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving
- Vehicle Failure
- Poor Road Conditions
In addition, the height difference between delivery trucks and smaller vehicles can make it difficult for delivery truck drivers to see vehicles next to or behind them. This makes extra caution around delivery trucks all the more critical.
What Are the Different Types of Delivery Truck Accidents?
Accidents involving delivery trucks may include:
- Head-on Collision
- Broadside Collision
- Override and Underride
- Jackknife
- Rollover
As with all motor vehicles, several types of accidents might involve a delivery truck. Factors, including the type of accident that has occurred, will influence the severity of the injuries sustained.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Delivery Truck Accident?
The delivery truck driver may be responsible for an accident. However, the driver may not be the only liable party.
Other parties that may share liability in a delivery truck accident include:
- The Delivery Company
- The Loading Company
- Mechanics and Parts Suppliers
- Government Entities
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident with a delivery truck, having an attorney review your crash's details will help establish liability.
When Should I Call an Attorney?
Calling an attorney after any accident in which injury is involved is a good idea. This is because multiple parties may share responsibility for the accident – and each likely has an insurance company eager to settle and put the case to rest. However, accepting an offer from an insurance company will bar you from taking legal action to seek further compensation. Before accepting an offer from an insurance company, even your own, it is best to talk to a lawyer about your options and rights.
How Can a Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A delivery truck accident lawyer will:
- Investigate Your Accident
- Establish Liability
- Assess Current and Future Damages
- Fight for Your Rights
Your attorney will work to protect you from insurance companies who may resort to coercion to try and force you to settle. What’s more, they will work with experts in various fields to determine how much you are owed and will build a case to support your claims.
Most personal injury claims settle before they go to court. Still, your lawyer will build your case for any eventuality, helping to ensure that, regardless of the direction your claim goes, your best interests are protected at all times.
If you got hurt in a collision with a delivery truck or van, schedule a free consultation with Brown & Brown today. Our attorneys serve clients in St. Louis, Missouri (dial the 3s: 314-333-3333 / 573-333-3333) and Illinois (dial the 8s: 618-888-8888).
