If you think about it, there are various kinds of delivery drivers on the road every day of the week - Amazon and UPS, Uber Eats and HelloFresh, Lowe’s and Home Depot, Best Buy and Instacart - among many others. While some delivery drivers are employed by a company or government agency, others are often self-employed independent contractors.
Delivery services are a modern convenience, especially food delivery services. One study found that 86% of Americans have food delivered directly to their home every month!
With our growing dependence on delivery drivers for everything from food to appliances, it is no surprise that there will be one-third more delivery vehicles on the roads by 2030 – with 78% more packages – according to the World Economic Forum. Another projection that aligns with this rapid growth is an increase in delivery and truck-related accidents.
Delivery drivers often work under great pressure to quickly deliver goods and packages every hour of every day. Plus, the job itself heavily depends on the delivery vehicle - not surprisingly, mechanical defects are the #1 cause of most delivery vehicle accidents.
The unfortunate reality is when a delivery truck is in an accident with a car or pedestrian, it can be catastrophic, or even deadly. Commercial truck accidents currently account for 97% of all deaths in crashes with passenger vehicles (cars, vans, or SUVs).
What To Do If You’ve Been Hit by a Delivery Driver
If you or a loved one have been hit by a negligent delivery driver – whether as a pedestrian or while operating a vehicle – you can fight for your right to fair compensation for injuries incurred, property damages, or even a wrongful death.
Following your or your loved one’s accident with a delivery driver, there are several things you can do that will help your case in the long run.
Report & Document the Accident
Like any accident, notify the police first. After an officer arrives, make note of their names and badge number and request a copy of the police report. Taking your own pictures – from various angles – at the scene can be useful as evidence if your case goes to court, not to mention helpful for your insurance company when they assess damages.
Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible; give a true account of what happened, and send them a copy of the police report. However, be careful to speak only to the police, your insurance company, and your attorney about the accident. If you are contacted by a representative from the delivery driver’s insurance company, for example, refer them to your insurance representative or your personal injury attorney.
Write Down What Happened In Detail
To the best of your ability, write down as much as you or your loved one can remember as soon after the accident as possible. This can serve as a starting point if you begin working with a personal injury lawyer. An attorney will further investigate the facts of your claim and present your case to the company that employs the driver.
Entrusting an injury lawyer with your story also allows you to avoid rehashing – and reliving – your account over and over again. While you are recovering, your lawyer will handle negotiating with the parties at fault, as well as insurance.
For example, car insurance companies will try to deny your claim or pay you less than your claim is worth, which can be frustrating and upsetting as a victim. Your personal injury lawyer, however, will know your story, protect your rights, and work diligently to recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact An Injury Lawyer
Being involved in a delivery accident, especially with a big truck, is not only traumatizing, but also disorienting and overwhelming. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, your top priority is your recovery. If a delivery driver is at fault, you also may be entitled to significant compensation.
Contacting an injury law firm like Bart Durham Injury Law allows you to leave the fall-out of the accident, along with much of its stressors, to the professionals. When medical bills, insurance claims, or disability paperwork start coming in, your accident attorney can assess the damages and make sure you don’t accept a settlement less than your case is worth.
Let the experienced lawyers at Bart Durham Injury Law take care of you. They've recovered millions for their clients!
