Are Delivery Truck Accidents Common?
With general increases in online ordering, delivery truck accidents are common and pose real hazards to other drivers on the road.
Online ordering makes shopping easier. It had already become increasingly popular prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now more people than ever are choosing to get food, clothing, household supplies, and other items delivered. As this has increased the number of delivery drivers on the road, there is a corresponding increase in delivery truck accidents. Find out more about how they happen and how to protect your rights to compensation in a claim.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
According to reports from the United States Postal Service (USPS), roughly 14% of its drivers were involved in delivery truck accidents in 2020. This averages to close to 30,000 crashes involving this particular carrier. Add in other nationwide providers, such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL, along with local delivery services and it is easy to see the risks.
With more people relying on deliveries, delivery truck accidents have become a serious issue. Common causes include:
- Reckless behavior on the part of the driver: Speeding, running red lights or stop signs, and driving distracted or under the influence are all common causes of delivery truck accidents.
- Aggressive driving: As delivery truck drivers must meet tight schedules, they are more inclined to engage in aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, failing to yield, and cutting other drivers off when passing.
- Drowsy driving: Working long schedules and swing shifts make delivery truck drivers more susceptible to drowsy driving-related accidents.
- Lack of proper training: Increased demand has pushed companies to hire additional delivery truck drivers. Failure to provide adequate training can lead to dangerous mistakes.
- Improper loading accidents: Overloading delivery stocks or not distributing weight evenly on both sides makes rollover delivery truck accidents more likely to happen, which can impact other motorists on the road.
- Lack of proper delivery truck maintenance: Not checking brakes, fluid levels, or tire pressure increases the odds that delivery truck accidents will happen.
Get the Compensation You are Entitled to for Your Injuries
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises that due to the larger size and heavier weight of most delivery trucks, it is other motorists who typically suffer the most serious injuries when accidents happen. Depending on the situation, you may be entitled to compensation from both the driver and the company they work for. Follow these steps in the aftermath of a delivery truck accident to protect your rights in a claim:
- Notify the police immediately so that an accident report can be filed;
- Get the name of the delivery driver and the company they work for;
- Seek medical attention for your injuries, regardless of severity;
- Contact our Salina delivery truck accident attorney right away.
Request a Consultation with Our Salina Delivery Truck Accident Attorneys
At Neustrom & Associates, we help you get the compensation you are entitled to when delivery truck accidents happen. To request a consultation regarding your case, reach out and call or contact our Salina delivery truck accident attorneys online today.