With an increase in online sales, there has been a notable surge in local deliveries. In this regard, delivery trucks and vans have become common in city traffic, causing congestion problems in cities and small towns alike.
Delivery vans are usually larger and carry substantially more weight than passenger vehicles. For this reason, delivery van drivers, owners, and manufacturers may be held liable for road accidents should they collide with other road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. When they fail to live up to their duties, they might injure or even kill innocent people in the process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), delivery vans are the third-highest culprit for road fatalities.
If you were injured in an accident caused by a delivery van, Morelli Law Firm can help you seek the compensation that you need. Our legal team may be able to help you hold the negligent parties liable and pursue the compensation you might be entitled to collect.
Call (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free no-obligation case review with our team. We can explain how a New York delivery van accident lawyer might lead your case.
Negligence Is a Major Factor in Delivery Van Accidents
Accidents involving delivery vans may have multiple liable parties. These parties may include the delivery van company, the driver, and the manufacturer.
Delivery Van Company’s Negligence
As delivery services become more popular, companies may try to hire more drivers in a bid to meet market demands. A delivery company might rush through the hiring process and put drivers behind the wheel before checking their driving histories, criminal backgrounds, or substance and drug abuse problems. Additionally, drivers might not receive adequate training on how to carry out their roles safely.
Delivery companies owe every road user a duty to competently hire and train their drivers. When they fail to uphold this duty, they may be held liable for injuries caused by their van drivers.
Delivery van drivers often work for long hours to meet their rigorous schedules. Even though there are Hours of Service (HOS) rules that limit the amount of time van drivers are behind the wheel, some companies might still force their drivers to work more hours than is permitted by law. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drivers must adhere to driving for no more than 11 hours, followed by 10 hours of rest. Driving for long periods without rest causes driver fatigue, a safety hazard that poses great risks to the driver and other road users.
Delivery vehicles need to be loaded carefully and with the right volume of load. Improper loading or overloading of vans not only puts the driver at risk but also endangers other vehicles and pedestrians on the road. The delivery company must adhere to proper safety protocols when loading the van. Failure to do so may put the company at fault for your injuries.
Delivery Van Driver’s Negligence
Delivery van drivers may also cause accidents when they fail to exercise reasonable care when driving. If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by a driver’s negligence, you may be able to file a legal claim against the driver.
Some common examples of driver negligence may include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol: Driving under the influence of impairing drugs and substances is prohibited for all drivers. It may impair the judgment of the driver and reduce reaction time to road situations.
- Distracted driving: Eating, texting, or making a phone call while driving shifts the attention of the driver off the road, and as a result, they may cause an accident.
Delivery Van Manufacturer’s Negligence
In some cases, a defective part or component in the delivery van may cause an accident. If an investigation determines that the defective part caused the accident, the manufacturer may bear the responsibility to compensate the victims for their injuries and losses.
Our Legal Team Can Help You Pursue Compensation
If you were in an accident caused by the negligence of the delivery van driver or company, it might be difficult to pursue compensation alone if you are also trying to heal from your injuries. Insurance companies often work with a team of lawyers and adjusters, who might try to blame fault on you or deny the severity of your claims. For that reason, you might want to consider hiring a lawyer to help you:
- Establish fault: Different parties may be held accountable for the pain and damages you suffered following an accident. Our legal team may help you establish fault and pursue every form of compensation you may be entitled to receive.
- Uncover evidence: We may help you gather evidence to build a comprehensive compensation claim, which may include the crash report, medical documents, and witness testimony.
- Build a personal injury case: To pursue compensation, you may file a personal injury claim with your insurance company or file a lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. We can help you develop your case with the evidence we discover.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies may use tactics to reduce the value of your claim or even deny your claim altogether. We can help you handle the intimidating claims process with the insurance company. If we do not reach a reasonable settlement with the insurer, we will not hesitate to bring your case to court.
Some damages we may be able to help you recover might include:
- Medical bills, both for ongoing treatment and future treatment
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repairs
- Personal property repair or replacement
If you think that you cannot afford to hire an attorney for your case, do not worry. At Morelli Law Firm, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will only charge you our attorney’s fees if we obtain a financial award for you. Call (212) 751-9800 to start working on your personal injury case today.
New York Delivery Van Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Contact Morelli Law Firm for Help with Your Claim or Lawsuit
If you were hurt in an accident with a delivery van, a New York delivery van accident lawyer may lead your personal injury case on your behalf. Contact Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for a free case review.