There have always been a lot of delivery trucks on the road. But during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, that number increased exponentially. People stuck at home continued to shop – in fact, they shopped more – but their purchases were delivered to their porches rather than chosen at a store. Delivery trucks brought those packages.
For example, in 2021:
- UPS shipped 5.3 billion parcels
- FedEx shipped 4.2 billion parcels
- USPS shipped 6.9 billion parcels
- Amazon shipped 8.4 billion parcels, 3.6 billion of them delivered by other “last mile” deliverers
- Smaller carriers increased their volume of shipped parcels by 94%
This works out to a staggering total of 59 million parcels delivered daily in the United States. Now add additional drivers making food or restaurant deliveries. Food delivery services are growing by 8% each year. You have not just been imagining an increase in the number of delivery trucks on the road. They really are there. Unfortunately, their drivers are often forced to meet almost impossible deadlines, which can lead to dangerous driving and an increased number of accidents.
How Can I Prove a Delivery Driver’s Negligence?
To give you an idea of how much pressure these delivery truck drivers are under, consider the average Amazon DSP (Delivery Service Partner) driver. This is not someone who drives a semi-truck across the country; this is someone who drives a box truck, class 4 or 5, weighing between 14,000 and 19,500 pounds. This driver makes an average of 150 stops per day.
What could go wrong? Plenty. As you may already know, to your or a loved one’s detriment, negligent or overworked delivery truck drivers can cause serious accidents. Delivery trucks are generally heavier than private vehicles, so your car will be disadvantaged in a collision.
If you have been in a collision with a delivery truck or van that was not your fault, you should consult with an experienced delivery truck accident attorney. The team at Crossen Law Firm has decades of combined experience fighting aggressively to get the compensation our clients need and deserve. We take care of battling with insurance companies so that you can focus on your recovery. Getting better should be your only job after a traumatic and possibly life-changing accident.
Common Causes of Indiana Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery trucks may cause accidents for many reasons, but here are some of the most common:
- Distracted driving:
Because drivers are constantly trying to beat the clock, they often multitask. This means that a driver may be checking the next stop, reading a text, checking GPS, as well as all of the other myriad reasons drivers can be distracted, such as eating, drinking, or texting.
- Speeding:
In 2020 there were 15,033 speed-related collisions in Indiana. This was considered a low number because of fewer drivers on the road due to the pandemic. In 2021 the number of vehicles on the road nationally rebounded to 2019 levels.
- Maintenance issues:
A delivery truck needs proper maintenance according to federal safety regulations. If a tire blowout or brake failure caused by negligence or faulty maintenance factored into your accident, we can get to the bottom of it and prove liability.
- Inexperienced drivers:
Staff shortages are affecting all businesses this year. There is a huge turnover in delivery truck drivers, and a lack of experience can cause improper lane changes, sudden stops, cut corners, and other dangerous mistakes.
Delivery trucks are difficult to drive, particularly for inexperienced drivers. Many still have manual transmissions, and all are bulkier than the average car. They are “boxy” and have a high center of gravity, making them particularly susceptible to rollover accidents.
- Impossible demands from their companies:
Operating under time restraints can cause drivers to take risks, speed, or drive recklessly.
- Improper loading:
Drivers may not have time to balance their loads properly; this can cause the vehicle to become unstable. It can also be a distraction for the driver who is trying to make stops without appropriate organization
- Driving under the influence:
No, drivers shouldn’t drive while they are impaired, but it does happen. In 2020, 124 people died in vehicle accidents in Indiana where one of the drivers was legally alcohol-impaired. Illegal drugs and over-the-counter medications can also hinder driving ability.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover?
An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate the causes of your accident with a delivery truck and hold the driver and/or their company liable. You may be compensated for economic damages such as:
- Medical bills
- The cost of medical equipment
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Future medical costs
- Vehicle damages/replacement
You may also qualify for compensation for non-economic damages including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering such as anxiety or PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How a Delivery Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident with a delivery truck, call 317-401-8626 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with the seasoned Indiana truck accident lawyers at Crossen Law Firm.
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