One side effect of COVID-19’s spread across America is the decrease in cars on the road as workers have been sent home and families have been encouraged to shelter in place. Many people are even ordering grocery delivery to practice safe social distancing and avoid having to be among other shoppers in a crowded store. However, delivery drivers are busier than ever, including commercial truck drivers, as they attempt to meet the demands of a country that has become dependent on deliveries now more than ever.
What it’s not yet clear whether there will be an increase in the number of delivery accidents on the road, there are several factors that can cause a heightened risk for accidents.
Reasons why there may be more delivery-related accidents in the future include:
- Increased pressure as demand increases: Commercial truck drivers already are known for working long hours as they drive across states and drive through the night. There now may be an increased demand from carriers that can pressure drivers to take on more shifts. With an increased need for emergency supplies, groceries, and raw materials, many drivers may be exhausting themselves and can create risks for other drivers on the road if they’re fatigued or distracted. Fatigued driving can lead to drifting into other lanes and onto opposing traffic as well as slower reaction times.
- Loosened work hour restrictions: Because of the country’s need for medical supplies and equipment, as well as groceries, the U.S. Department of Transportation has decided to relax their regulations for drivers. This means that drivers who are involved in emergency relief are exempt from 30-minute break requirements, despite the fact that they’re facing longer work hours. Decreased regulations can cause drivers to develop unsafe habits.
- Fewer places to rest: Commercial drivers who need to stop for food and rest are now struggling to find a rest stop, as many restaurants and travel centers have had to close or limit their services due to social distancing practices. These closures may contribute not only to driver fatigue but to increased drug use and distracted driving, too.
What to Do After an Accident
If you’ve been involved in a commercial vehicle accident, especially an accident involving a truck, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Due to their size and weight, accidents involving trucks can produce devastating injuries and fatalities. Common injuries individuals can sustain from a truck accident include broken and crushed bones, burns, spinal cord and neck injuries, head and brain trauma, and internal bleeding.
After you’ve been treated, it’s important that you hire a personal injury lawyer who can collect the evidence needed to build your case and recover your damages. Once negligence is proven, our team can achieve the compensation you need to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Trucking companies are under strict regulations that don’t apply to typical passenger car accidents – our attorneys have navigated these cases countless times and know who to hold responsible for damages.
Client-Oriented, Results-Focused
After an accident leaves you with lasting injuries, you want to hire legal representation you can trust to not only achieve optimal results but to treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve. Crossen Law Firm aims to obtain maximum compensation for injured victims while also putting their well-being first above all else. With millions of dollars in damages recovered for our injured clients, our personal injury lawyer has demonstrated just how committed we are to providing a better future for our clients. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can achieve the compensation you need to pay for expenses like medical bills and property damage.
Don’t hesitate to call our car accident attorney if you’ve been injured in an accident involving a delivery vehicle or driver. Contact Crossen Law Firm online or by phone at (317) 401-8626 for a free consultation. We can handle the legal details while you concentrate on healing.
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