As more and more New Yorkers choose to shop online, there is a significant increase in the number of delivery vans and trucks we see on the road. We see delivery vans and trucks for package delivery companies such as UPS, FedEx, DHL and Amazon. And then, there are food delivery trucks such as FreshDirect that are working overtime to satisfy growing consumer demand. In their enthusiasm to deliver goods quickly to consumers, many of these companies use local operators to send goods more efficiently to consumers’ doorsteps.
This may lead to inexperienced and untrained drivers getting behind the wheel. When delivery vehicle drivers violate speed laws or traffic laws to meet unrealistic deadlines, the consequences can be devastating for other drivers and pedestrians on city roads. In fact, delivery workers and van and truck operators were involved in the greatest number of fatal workplace injuries in 2016, according to a report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a delivery vehicle, here are four things you need to know in order to protect your rights.
1. You will be able to seek compensation.
The value or worth of your delivery accident case will depend on how severe your injuries are and the degree of negligence (carelessness) on the part of the driver and/or delivery company. For example, if your injuries were caused by a delivery truck that malfunctioned because the delivery company failed to maintain the vehicle properly, then, you will be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the company seeking compensation for damages.
You may be able to seek compensation for damages including but not limited to medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, lost future income, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. If you have lost a loved one in a delivery accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation as well.
2. A number of parties may be held liable.
There are a number of different parties that can be held liable in a delivery vehicle accident. For example, if the driver who operates the delivery truck or van violated traffic laws or caused the accident because he was speeding, the driver can be held liable for his or her negligence and recklessness. In most cases, the driver’s employer, often the delivery company, can also be held liable for damages. For example, if the driver’s inexperience or lack of training caused the accident, the employer may be held liable. In some cases, companies that maintain delivery vehicles can be held liable, particularly in cases where a poorly maintained vehicle caused the crash.
3. Delivery vehicle accidents may result in serious injuries.
Like any other accident involving vehicles, crashes involving delivery vans or trucks have the potential to result in serious or even fatal injuries. Some examples of injuries that may occur in these types of accidents include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, bone fractures, burn injuries, smoke inhalation injuries, nerve damage, internal organ injuries, etc. In some cases where serious injuries have been sustained, victims may suffer permanent injuries that may leave them disabled for life. Some injuries may also prove fatal.
4. You need to take steps to protect your rights.
It is crucial that you take the necessary steps to protect your rights in the aftermath of a delivery vehicle accident. First, make sure you file a police report. If you have suffered injuries, please get to a hospital or emergency room right away so you get prompt treatment and care. Gather as much evidence as possible from the scene including photos and videos, physical evidence, contacts for eyewitnesses, etc. Obtain information from the delivery vehicle driver including the company’s name, contact information, insurance details, vehicle license plate number, etc. Immediately contact an experienced New York City delivery vehicle accident lawyer to further discuss your legal rights and options.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com