Do you feel like there has been a non-stop rotation of delivery trucks in your neighborhood this holiday season? If so, you’re not alone. Online shopping is more popular than ever, resulting in increased delivery truck traffic on Orlando’s roadways. Theoretically, that shouldn’t make much of a difference. But in reality, this increased traffic, coupled with other factors, can significantly increase the risk of innocent motorists like you being severely, perhaps even catastrophically, injured in a delivery truck accident. Those who are involved in one of these wrecks often wind up with lifelong harm, too, including damage not just to their physical well-being, but also their psychological and financial stability.
But how are these devastating collisions caused? We want to take a closer look in this post so that you know what to watch out for and when you may be able to hold a negligent delivery driver and their employer accountable.
Common causes of delivery truck accidents
There are many contributing factors to delivery truck accidents. This includes each of the following:
- Following too closely: Delivery drivers try to meet tight deadlines while still getting home at a reasonable time. As a result, they often rush through neighborhoods and down busy streets as quickly as possible. This sometimes causes them to drive too closely to the vehicle in front of them, which can increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
- Speeding: Again, because of their haste, these delivery drivers oftentimes break the speed limit. Then, when an accident occurs, the damage caused is much more significant, leaving victims with more severe injuries.
- Being inattentive: In addition to paying attention to the traffic around them, delivery drivers have to keep an eye out for delivery addresses, and they may have to refer to their navigation devices for assistance. This forces them to take their eyes off the road. Even a split-second of inattention can dramatically increase the chances that they’ll miss changed traffic conditions, fail to recognize slowed or stopped traffic or completely miss a stop sign or traffic signal. Any of these issues can result in a serious wreck.
- Improperly reversing: Moving big delivery trucks around neighborhood streets can be tough, especially when you’re in a hurry. That’s why a lot of delivery truck drivers throw their vehicle into reverse and back up without double and triple checking their surroundings. As a result, they might miss nearby vehicles and pedestrians that they then strike.
- Improperly securing cargo: Delivery trucks can carry a lot of cargo. When drivers leave doors open and fail to secure that cargo, it can fall from the truck while in transit. This forces other vehicles on the road to take evasive maneuvers, which may cause them to veer into other traffic.
- Inadequately maintaining the vehicle: Delivery trucks can rack up miles quickly. They therefore need routine maintenance and repair. When drivers and their employers skimp on inspections and repairs, a dangerous vehicle can be let out on the road, putting other motorists in harm’s way.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a delivery truck accident?
If so, then now is the time to consider your legal options. If you build a strong case, you may be able to secure accountability and compensation from the driver who caused your accident injuries as well as from their employer.
That said, there are a lot of intricacies to these types of personal injury cases, which is why many accident victims choose to seek legal guidance before proceeding with their claim. That decision is ultimately up to you, but we encourage you to continue reading up on the personal injury claims process so that you have a better idea of what to expect and what you can do to best position yourself for success.
