In New York City, delivery trucks are an extremely common sight. With more and more people opting to make their purchases online, the number of commercial delivery vehicles on our roadways has skyrocketed. Along with UPS, FedEx, DHL and other delivery companies we also see vehicles that operate to deliver food to consumers such as FreshDirect, which is very popular in New York City. Often, the rush for drivers to deliver under tight deadlines and keep customers happy can lead to careless or negligent behavior, causing major injury accidents or even deaths. 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.
What Causes Delivery Truck Accidents?
Delivery truck accidents may occur due to a number of factors. However, a majority of these crashes are caused by delivery truck drivers operating their vehicles in a negligent or reckless manner. Here are some of the most common causes of delivery truck accidents in New York City:
Excessive speed: Delivery truck drivers are often seen scrambling to get items on time to consumers. Sometimes, they break the speed limit or drive at an unsafe rate of speed just to complete their deliveries or in an effort to keep up with their schedule. A crash that results from any large vehicle such as a delivery truck that is speeding or driving at an unsafe speed definitely has the potential for severe injuries and/or fatalities.
Distracted driving: Delivery truck drivers may when, looking for an address, fail to pay attention to the road. They may be looking at the navigation system, building numbers or other things, which may lead to a vehicle or pedestrian collision.
Abrupt stops and turns: Lack of familiarity with a neighborhood or location may cause a delivery truck driver to operate the vehicle in an unpredictable manner. Sudden or abrupt stops or making an unsafe turn or lane change are examples of actions that may result in an accident.
Carelessness while backing up: Failing to check behind the truck may result in pedestrians or passerby being run over by the truck. When the victims are young children, the consequences may be tragic.
Inadequate driver training: A driver who is ill equipped to handle situations that arise while making deliveries is more likely to cause an accident. If a driver is inexperienced or lacks proper training, he or she may also be at a heightened risk for a crash.
Poor vehicle maintenance: If the delivery vehicle is not properly maintained and is operated with worn-out parts, there is an increased risk for equipment failure and accidents.
Improper cargo storage: Overloaded trucks or incorrectly loaded trucks may result in major rollover crashes and serious injuries.
What Actions Should You Take?
If you have been injured in a delivery truck or van accident, it is important that you take certain steps to protect your rights. First, it is important to get medical attention. Remember to save all medical bills that you have incurred as a result of your injuries. Next, collect as much evidence as possible from the accident scene including the name of the company on the truck, the name of the driver, his license number, the company’s insurance details, license plate, contact information for the company, contact information for eyewitnesses, etc.
In such cases a number of parties may be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. The delivery company may be held accountable if the driver was negligent, impaired, or if the company hired and/or retained an inexperienced or careless driver or if they failed to provide proper training. If the entity/crew responsible for fleet maintenance did not do their jobs right, they may be held liable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck or van accident, you may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
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