Harrison Delivery Truck Accidents
If you’re sharing the busy streets of Harrison with delivery trucks, you know that these vehicles bring certain risks on the road. Understanding common causes and what to do after being involved in this type of accident is crucial if you find yourself in this situation. If you do find yourself in a wreck, the Harrison truck accident lawyers at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC are ready to help.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck accidents happen for various reasons, often including the following:
- Driver Fatigue: Delivery drivers often work long shifts and might push themselves too hard to meet deadlines, leading to fatigue behind the wheel.
- Distracted Driving: Multiple deliveries mean constant stops and the use of GPS or communication devices – it’s easy for a driver’s attention to slip away from the road, leading to an accident.
- Speeding: Under tight schedules, delivery drivers might go faster than they should to make their stops, increasing the risk of an accident.
- Improper Loading: If cargo isn’t secured correctly inside the truck, it can shift and cause the driver to lose control.
- Lack of Maintenance: Delivery trucks rack up a lot of stop-and-go miles. Without regular checks and upkeep, mechanical failures can lead to accidents.
This is just an overview of the common causes of these types of accidents – there are many other reasons these incidents occur.
Determining Liability in Delivery Truck Accidents
When a delivery truck accident happens, figuring out who is at fault can be complicated. Several different parties might be responsible, often including one or more of the following:
The Delivery Truck Driver
If an accident was due to driver error – like distraction or speeding – the driver themselves could be liable for damages caused in the crash.
The Delivery Company
Often, it’s not just about the driver. If it turns out that they were under pressure from their employer to meet unrealistic targets or told to skip needed breaks leading up to an accident, then their company might also share the blame. In some cases, the company can be responsible for damages even if they weren’t negligent because of vicarious liability.
Maintenance Providers
In some cases, a maintenance issue might cause an accident. If the last person or company who checked the truck didn’t do a good job looking everything over, leading to issues with the truck that caused an accident, they could be held liable.
The Vehicle Manufacturer
There may be times when a defect with the delivery truck itself contributes to an accident. In such cases, the vehicle manufacturer might become part of your claim if it’s determined that an inherent issue with the truck played a role in what happened.
Cargo Loaders and Shipping Companies
Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks cause imbalances that lead to accidents – shifting just enough during transport to make a big difference control-wise for whoever’s driving. The loaders who prepared cargo at its origin could end up being liable in certain situations.
Local Governmental Body
Bad road conditions, like potholes and deep grooves from incomplete construction projects, can also cause accidents. If local bodies responsible for maintaining roads haven’t been keeping them safe, a claim against the local government or agency in charge of road upkeep could be explored.
Third-Party Drivers
If another driver’s actions caused the delivery truck to swerve or brake suddenly and resulted in an accident, that driver could be held responsible. For instance, if they cut off the truck causing it to react and collide with something else, that party might also share liability.
It’s important to establish all potential contributors to an accident involving a delivery vehicle because it isn’t always clear at first glance. Determining who is responsible will give you a better idea of who to recover compensation from.
If you have questions or need help with a claim, the best thing you can do is reach out for professional legal help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer.