If you were injured in a collision with a delivery truck, you might wonder who will cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other costs. Determining liability for a delivery truck accident can be significantly more complicated than for accidents involving only passenger vehicles. While a driver is often most directly to blame, other parties could also be liable, including their employer.
The attorneys at the Olson Law Firm, LLC, have extensive experience helping people who have been hurt in delivery vehicle crashes. We understand the complexities of seeking compensation from large corporations like UPS, FedEx, and Amazon. Our delivery truck accident lawyers are ready to explain your legal options and work tirelessly to pursue the financial relief you deserve.
Contact the Olson Law Firm, LLC, now for a free consultation.
Did a Commercial Driver Injure You in Cheyenne?
Online shopping has increased dramatically over the last two decades, and customers often have their purchases delivered to their homes. Some services, such as Amazon Prime, offer customers fast shipping for a monthly subscription fee, making online shopping more convenient than ever.
As the number of delivery vehicles on the road increases, so does the number of commercial truck accidents. If you were harmed in an accident caused by a commercial driver in Cheyenne, you have a legal right to seek compensation for your injuries and related losses. To improve your chances of success, you should hire a skilled attorney with a strong track record of resolving commercial truck accident cases.
The attorneys at the Olson Law Firm, LLC, have the resources to:
- Quickly obtain and preserve evidence such as traffic or surveillance camera footage, witness statements, expert testimony, medical records, photo evidence, and cell phone records
- Determine liability based on the evidence we gather
- Calculate the total compensation you are owed
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Take your case to trial if necessary
Types of Delivery Trucks and Companies That Operate Them
Some of the most common types of delivery trucks on the road today include:
- Box trucks
- Large vans
- Flatbed trucks
- Walk-in trucks
- Customized vehicles
Examples of the companies that most frequently operate these trucks include:
- UPS
- FedEx
- Amazon and Amazon Delivery Service Partners
- Food delivery companies
- Grocery stores
- Furniture and appliance companies
- Florists
- Local delivery services
Different types of commercial vehicles present different risks to other motorists. For instance, flatbed trucks carry exposed goods that must be securely tied down. If cargo loaders fail to secure a flatbed truck’s cargo properly, it could come loose and spill into the road, colliding with other vehicles.
In addition to being more difficult to maneuver, larger trucks can potentially cause more significant damage and more severe injuries due to their size and weight.
Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents in Cheyenne
The causes of delivery truck crashes vary, but they typically occur due to operator error. Often, the truck driver acts in a way that is careless or reckless, which leads to an accident. Delivery drivers work long hours and must meet strict deadlines, which can sometimes cause them to become fatigued or drive aggressively.
Other parties can contribute to delivery vehicle accidents as well. For instance, if the company the driver works for doesn’t properly train new hires or ensure they have adequate experience before allowing them to drive a commercial vehicle, the company could be held responsible for any accidents their driver causes. Moreover, employers are typically liable for accidents their employees cause while operating within the scope of their jobs.
Some of the most common causes of delivery truck crashes in Cheyenne include:
- Fatigue
- Improper or inadequate training
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Tire and lighting system violations
- Speeding and risky maneuvers
- Aggressive driving
- Driving inappropriately in inclement weather
- Distracted driving
- Improper cargo loading or overloading
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Tailgating (following too closely)
Common Delivery Truck Accident Injuries
Some of the most common injuries that victims of delivery vehicle accidents suffer include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Burns and disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Traumatic amputation
Be sure to seek medical attention immediately after a delivery truck accident, even if your injuries do not seem serious initially. A medical professional can diagnose and treat your injuries and add them to your medical record. That could be helpful evidence if you need to prove your injuries were due to the accident.
How Do I Pursue Compensation for a Delivery Truck Accident?
In most traffic accidents, you would pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. However, seeking compensation after a delivery truck accident can be complicated, depending on the carrier.
For example, UPS and FedEx directly employ their drivers and have large commercial liability insurance policies that cover any accidents those employees cause. On the other hand, Amazon outsources its deliveries to independent companies that employ their own drivers, which allows them to avoid liability when these drivers cause accidents. If you’re hit by an Amazon delivery vehicle, you will likely need to pursue compensation from the third-party company that employs this driver.
Amazon also has a program called Amazon Flex, in which drivers classified as contractors use a rideshare-like app to make deliveries using their own personal vehicles. If an Amazon Flex driver hits you, you could be covered by Amazon’s Flex Auto Policy, but only if the driver is actively making deliveries at the time. If an Amazon Flex driver hits you while not making deliveries, you would likely need to seek compensation from their personal auto insurance provider.
Figuring out who is responsible for compensating you can be tricky, especially if there are multiple liable parties. These could include third-party maintenance companies, cargo loaders, and part or truck manufacturers, for example. In these cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against every at-fault party to seek compensation. Our knowledgeable attorneys are prepared to investigate the accident to identify all potential sources of compensation.
Compensation for Delivery Truck Accident Claims
Depending on the circumstances of the delivery truck accident and your resulting losses, you could be owed compensation for:
- Medical expenses related to your injuries
- Lost income if you cannot work while you recover from your injuries
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries result in a permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
Contact the Cheyenne Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers at the Olson Law Firm
Were you injured in a delivery truck accident in Cheyenne? Don’t wait to demand the compensation you deserve. Contact the Cheyenne delivery truck accident attorneys at the Olson Law Firm, LLC, for a free consultation.