Founding Partner
Being hit by a delivery driver can instantly turn your life upside down. One moment, you’re going about your day, and the next, you’re dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, vehicle damage, and missed work. It’s devastating for anyone to find themselves in, especially when the accident wasn’t your fault.
With the rapid growth of Amazon, DoorDash, Instacart, and other delivery services in North Carolina, commercial vehicles are increasingly common on roads and neighborhoods. While these services offer convenience, the pressure for fast deliveries incentivizes some drivers to engage in careless or reckless behavior behind the wheel. When those negligent actions cause injury to others, it raises crucial questions about liability and compensation.
Determining who is legally responsible for an accident involving a delivery driver can be complex. You may have a claim against the individual driver, their employer, or other parties, depending on the circumstances. Protecting your rights and securing fair compensation means untangling employment classification issues, insurance coverage, and more.
Common Causes of Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Delivery drivers are often under intense pressure to meet tight deadlines, which can lead to unsafe driving practices. Some common causes of accidents involving delivery vehicles include:
- Speeding – Delivery drivers may exceed posted speed limits in an effort to make deliveries more quickly.
- Distracted driving – Drivers may be distracted while texting, using social media, using GPS navigation systems, or their stereos, resulting in devastating crashes.
- Fatigue – Long shifts and demanding schedules can result in driver fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Reckless driving – Some delivery drivers may engage in aggressive driving behaviors, such as running red lights or stop signs or making unsafe lane changes.
- Improperly loaded or secured cargo – If a delivery vehicle’s cargo is not properly loaded and secured, shifts during transport can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Potential At-Fault Parties in Delivery Vehicle Crashes
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, one or more of the following parties may be held liable for injuries and damages caused by a delivery vehicle crash:
- The delivery driver – If the driver’s negligence caused the accident, they may be held personally liable.
- The delivery company – If the company has failed to properly train or supervise its drivers or has encouraged unsafe driving practices, it may be held liable for accidents caused by its employees.
- The vehicle manufacturer – If a defect in the delivery vehicle contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable under product liability laws.
- Third-party contractors – Some delivery companies use independent contractors rather than employees. In these cases, the contractor may be held liable for accidents they cause.
How to Prove Liability for an Accident with a Delivery Driver
To prove liability in a delivery vehicle accident case, your attorney will gather evidence to demonstrate that the driver or another party was at fault. This may include:
- Police reports and accident scene pictures and videos
- Eyewitness statements
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes
- The delivery driver’s employment records and driving history
- Maintenance and inspection records for the delivery vehicle
- Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
Injured in an Accident with a Delivery Driver? Contact Bradford Law Today
Being hit by a delivery driver can leave you facing a long road to recovery, with mounting medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Pursuing a claim against a driver and their employer often means going up against large companies with teams of lawyers fighting to minimize or deny liability.
At Bradford Law, our North Carolina delivery truck accident attorneys have a track record of success in holding even the largest corporations accountable when their employees’ actions cause harm. We offer free consultations to review your case, explain your rights, and discuss how we can help. And with our contingency fee structure, you won’t pay any upfront costs or attorney fees unless and until we secure compensation for you.
Don’t wait to get the legal advice you need after a delivery driver accident. Contact us today by phone or online for your free consultation.
