Accidents with Delivery Vehicles
If you suffered injuries in an accident with a delivery truck or van, contact the Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta, GA to represent you in your case. You might be entitled to compensation from the driver or their employer. You have the opportunity to hold them liable for their negligence and pursue the monetary award you’re owed so you can pay for your medical treatment and other costs.
The trucks of FedEx, UPS, Amazon, and other delivery companies are essential to our daily lives. People rely on these truck drivers to deliver food to supermarkets, consumer goods to their homes, and other products to retail stores. Georgia residents need delivery vehicle drivers to transport their appliances, clothes, and other items to their homes and businesses on time and intact. Unfortunately, if a delivery vehicle gets into a crash, it can cause massive destruction to passenger vehicles and their occupants.
Contact Chris Hudson Law Group at (706) 863-6600 or fill in our contact request form to receive a free consultation or if you want to learn more about the services we provide.
Delivery Trucks You Can Find in Georgia
Different companies use different types of delivery vehicles to transport products to commercial and residential properties.
The most common types of delivery trucks are:
- Box trucks – Box trucks are also known as cube trucks. They come in different sizes. The driver can’t access the cargo area from the front cab as they can in many other delivery vehicles. Delivery companies, such as U-Haul, often use box trucks.
- Walk-in trucks – Unlike box trucks, walk-in trucks allow the driver to access the cargo area from the front cab, so they don’t have to get out of the vehicle. UPS and FedEx typically use walk-in trucks for deliveries to homes and businesses.
- Freightliners – Semi-trucks have a front cab where the driver sits and a trailer attached to the back. They’re much larger than other delivery vehicles, so companies can transport mass quantities of consumer goods. Freightliners can even carry other vehicles.
- Refrigerator trucks – Some items need refrigeration during transport. Things like raw meat must stay cold throughout the entire delivery so it doesn’t go bad. A refrigerator truck is perfect for storing and transporting food products.
- Cargo vans – Some neighborhoods have narrow streets or roadways that delivery drivers can’t navigate easily with a large truck. A cargo van is perfect for maneuvering through these delivery areas with a small number of boxes.
- Mail trucks – Federal postal workers and other corporate companies use mail trucks to carry mail and small packages to businesses and homes locally.
If you were involved in a collision with one of these or another type of delivery vehicle, Chris Hudson Law Group might be able to help. We can review the facts of the accident, gather evidence, and seek the maximum compensation you need to recover from your injuries.
Trucking Industry Regulations
Truck drivers and trucking companies are supposed to meet specific standards. Federal regulations are in place to keep people safe when truck drivers are on the road. If a delivery driver or their employer violates any of these regulations, a deadly accident could occur. Some of the most important standards people in the trucking industry must adhere to include:
- Cargo requirements – Any cargo loaded onto a delivery vehicle should stay within the maximum allowed weight and size limits. Drivers should also secure the load correctly so it doesn’t shift during transport.
- Hours of service – Regulations for the number of hours truckers are allowed to drive in a single shift aim to reduce the number of fatigued drivers on the road.
- Maintenance and inspections – Delivery companies should adequately inspect and maintain all vehicles they use for their services. If there’s damage or a recalled part, they should repair or replace it immediately.
- Cell phone use – Delivery drivers are never allowed to use their cell phones for texting, emailing, or any other reason unless they’re using a hands-free feature.
- Alcohol and drug testing – Delivery companies must perform random testing on their drivers for drugs and alcohol. This could prevent an impaired trucker from getting behind the wheel of a delivery vehicle.
Various other regulations can prevent accidents and save lives. Unfortunately, some delivery drivers or employers will break these rules to meet deadlines or make money. This can result in dangerous situations that cause injuries and fatalities.
Steps to Take After an Accident with a Delivery Vehicle in Georgia
If you get hurt in a delivery truck accident, you must follow specific steps in the immediate aftermath and during the months and years ahead. The first thing you should do that’s one of the most important steps is to go to the hospital or schedule an appointment with your doctor. Even if your injury is minor, you should still seek medical attention right away.
Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to find evidence they can use to deny your claim or offer a low settlement amount. If they see that you didn’t seek treatment until weeks or even days after the crash, that could indicate that your injury isn’t that serious.
If the initial physician you see recommends follow-up treatment with other medical providers, listen to their orders. You should continue treating your injuries until you heal or your doctors indicate that your condition isn’t likely to improve with additional appointments. At that time, you can begin collecting copies of your medical records and other evidence to build a case.
That brings us to step 2 – Hire a lawyer that specializes in a wide range of truck accident cases. You should do this immediately after the crash. Handling a case alone can be time-consuming and overwhelming. If you don’t know the state laws, deadlines, and other elements of an insurance claim or lawsuit, you could end up losing. We can take on the responsibility of the case and complete each step so you can focus on your recovery.
During your ongoing case, be sure to maintain copies of every document you receive. Although we can obtain the evidence we need to prove who was at fault for the collision, you might receive things in the mail that we might not get. For example, the insurance company could send you forms they want you to sign, or a doctor will mail you an invoice for your office visit. Give these documents to us so we can add them to your file.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Road defects, heavy traffic, and adverse weather can slow down a delivery driver and create dangers that make it more challenging to navigate the vehicle. If a truck driver encounters hazardous conditions, they should adjust their speed and how they’re operating their truck to avoid colliding with a car or stationary object. If they make an error, they could lose control and crash.
Delivery drivers must always pay attention to where they’re going. If they become distracted by their cell phone, they could drift into oncoming traffic or sideswipe a car traveling next to them. Most delivery trucks are large, heavy, and sit high off the ground. They can cause significant damage to small vehicles and injure the occupants severely.
Some of the most common reasons for accidents involving delivery vehicles are:
- Failure to check blind spots
- Inexperienced drivers
- Driver fatigue
- Incorrectly loaded cargo
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Disobeying traffic laws
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Drug or alcohol impairment
The delivery vehicle accident lawyers of Chris Hudson Law Group can investigate the collision and look for evidence that shows the truck driver was at fault for your injuries. We could hold them liable for their wrongdoing and try to secure an insurance settlement or favorable jury verdict. You should not be forced to pay for the costs you incurred from the accident when someone else’s actions are to blame.
Seeking Compensation from the Delivery Vehicle Driver
Delivery vehicle accidents can lead to costly repairs and severe injuries requiring emergency medical care and ongoing physical therapy or other types of treatment. If you ever went to the hospital or a doctor, you know how expensive medical bills can be. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for these expenses. The at-fault delivery driver or their employer should be the ones to pay.
You could file a claim with the delivery company’s insurance company and seek compensation for your losses, such as:
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost quality of life
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Mental anguish
The goal of our delivery vehicle accident lawyers is to recover the maximum possible settlement from the insurance company. If we cannot settle for a fair amount, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf and take your case to court. We will remain in your corner and advocate for your rights throughout the entire process.
Contact Chris Hudson Law Group For a Free Case Consultation
The truck accident lawyers of Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta understand the consequences when you’re injured because of another person’s misconduct, especially when that person is the driver of a very large vehicle. An accident can upend your whole life and cause significant stress while you’re trying to heal. You can depend on our legal team to fight hard for justice. We want to resolve your case efficiently so you can move forward with your life.
If you suffered injuries in a delivery vehicle accident in Georgia, call us at (706) 863-6600 for a free consultation today.