Delivery van drivers are at higher risk of being involved in an accident because they make frequent stops, are often distracted, and drive vehicles with low maneuverability. However, it is the drivers of the vehicles they collide with who are at an increased risk of injury.
At the Morelli Law Firm, our delivery van accident lawyers in Philadelphia have seen the extreme levels of damage caused by these commercial vehicles. We have helped our clients recover from their injuries by taking over all aspects of their legal battle so that they can focus on healing.
Who Is Liable in a Delivery Van Accident?
When you get hurt in a delivery van accident, you will likely be seeking compensation through either a civil lawsuit or an insurance claim. Before you can file paperwork, though, you must first determine who is liable for the accident. In a delivery van accident, commonly liable parties include:
- The delivery van driver
- The delivery company
- The manufacturer of the van
- A third-party driver whose actions directly caused the delivery van to collide with your vehicle
What Will a Philadelphia Delivery Van Accident Attorney Do After Being Hired?
One of the first actions that your delivery van accident attorney in Philadelphia will take is to begin an independent investigation into your accident. Your attorney and their investigative team will look to identify all potentially liable parties and collect evidence to support your compensation claim.
Some of the steps your attorney is likely to take in this investigation include:
- Visiting the accident scene and taking photos
- Conducting interviews with witnesses
- Consulting experts
- Obtaining a copy of the official police report
- Reviewing your medical reports concerning the injuries you sustained in the accident
Once they have completed their initial investigation, your attorney will assess the damages you have suffered and calculate the full value of your claim. They will then prepare all the necessary paperwork and file your lawsuit with the court.
After your lawsuit is filed, your lawyer will go through the steps of the pre-trial process and then represent you in court if your case has not yet been settled.
Throughout the process, your attorney will be in negotiations, as they attempt to secure a fair settlement agreement on your behalf. They will also be in continuous contact with you, keeping you informed of any developments in your case and relaying any settlement offers.
Philadelphia Delivery Van Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Damages for Which You May Be Eligible to Collect Compensation
When you get injured in a delivery van accident, there are likely several types of damages for which you may be eligible to collect compensation. Some of the most common types of damages that accident victims claim are:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
- Punitive damages
These damages are generally split into three categories:
- Economic
- Non-economic
- Punitive
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the damages that cost an accident victim financially. Medical expenses, lost income, and property damage can all cause economic hardship. Compensation for these damages is designed to offset the financial burden that results from a car accident.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are far more difficult to measure. Non-economic damages may not directly hurt your bank account. However, the mental and emotional cost of these damages is often incalculable. The diminished quality of life that an accident victim has to deal with after suffering a permanent disability or losing a loved one in an accident is beyond measure.
As a result, non-economic damages tend to make up the bulk of a payout for a delivery van accident.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages only apply in cases where the actions of the at-fault driver are considered to have been willfully negligent and carried out with complete disregard for the safety of others. These damages are meant as a punishment for dangerous drivers. They do not function to directly compensate an accident victim for any loss they have suffered.
What Is the Cost of Hiring a Delivery Van Accident Attorney in Philadelphia?
When you are facing substantial costs after an accident, you don’t want to have to worry about additional charges for hiring an attorney. Fortunately, you don’t have to. Any reputable personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis. That means that they only get paid if you receive compensation.
When you eventually do have to pay your attorney, their fee will be taken as a predetermined percentage of your compensation package. You never have to pay a single cent out of your own pocket.
Accident victims who hire an attorney generally receive far greater compensation than those who don’t. Even after a lawyer has taken their fee, you will likely be in a much better financial position.
When your delivery van accident lawyer in Philadelphia is working under this payment structure, you can feel confident that they will do everything within their power to secure you a large payout.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you typically have two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss that window, you are out of luck. In some cases, your window to file may actually be far smaller. By hiring a delivery van accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, you can ensure you never miss a deadline.
It is always advisable to get started as quickly as possible after a crash because delays are likely to hurt your case. Evidence can become lost or corrupted over time, and witness testimony begins to lose its value as memories fade.
Taking a Settlement vs. Going to Court
The majority of delivery van accident cases end up settling out of court. In most situations, both sides would prefer this outcome as it can greatly shorten the length of a legal battle and enable everyone to avoid the uncertainty of a courtroom trial. While both sides have the potential for a better outcome if they go to court, the risk is rarely worth it.
If your lawyer can get the opposition to agree to a fair settlement deal, it is likely in your best interest to take it. However, you should always be prepared and willing to battle it out in the courtroom if necessary. That will put pressure on the opposition to agree to a fair deal and assure you are ready if an agreement can not be reached.
Speak With a Personal Injury Law Firm in Philadelphia, PA
The best weapon you have at your disposal in a battle for fair compensation is an experienced attorney. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of delivery van accident attorneys in Philadelphia have a proven track record of getting our clients the money they need to move on from an accident.
Fill out our easy online contact form or give us a call today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. A member of our legal team will review your case and advise you about your options to collect compensation.