With online shopping becoming increasingly popular, and an otherwise booming economy, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that well over a million people are now employed as delivery truck drivers. Three of the most popular companies that deliver goods are FedEx, UPS and the United States Postal Service. Fully loaded, their delivery trucks are allowed to weigh up to 25,000 pounds. At that weight, they can crush a passenger car.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Thousands of packages are delivered to homes and businesses in and around Philadelphia every day. Just about all of them get to those places by delivery trucks of one kind or another. In their efforts to beat the clock, some drivers push themselves and their trucks beyond their limitations. That’s when accidents happen. Here are some common causes of delivery truck accidents:
- Drowsy or fatigued driving. Long hours of driving and getting in and out of a delivery truck leads to fatigue. That affects a driver’s reaction time and awareness behind the wheel.
- Distracted driving like using talking on a cell phone or texting operate to decrease a driver’s cognitive, visual and manual driving abilities.
- Speeding to beat the delivery clock.
- Improper loading that can cause a truck to roll over as a result of of a shifting center of gravity.
- Improper maintenance of tires and brakes.
- Lack of driver safety training and experience.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both.
Some Philadelphia Delivery Truck Accidents
Just outside of Philadelphia in 2018, a FedEx driver was trapped under his delivery truck when it flipped in Chester County. He was freed and taken to a local hospital, but there was no word on the nature and extent of his injuries. In early March of 2018, a UPS driver was cited in a rollover accident on Interstate Highway 91 when he was attempting to avoid a car that braked in front of him. There was no word on his condition. In September of 2017, a 91-year-old female pedestrian was hit by a UPS truck while she was crossing the street on Walnut Street in Philadelphia’s Center City District. She was hospitalized in severe condition.
Investigating the Facts
A determination of fault in delivery truck accidents can get complicated quickly. Both state laws and federal regulations apply to these trucks. You’ll need a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer who can perform a full and complete investigation in order to discover and preserve all relevant and material evidence that supports your side of the case. Since the delivery company will have its own investigators analyzing the facts and evidence surrounding the accident, you’ll want your own team to do the same thing as soon as possible. Our investigation will include the following:
- The Philadelphia police accident report and any statements found in it. We can also help you get Norristown police accident reports or Phoenixville police reports if you were injured in those areas.
- Statements of any witnesses.
- Disposition of any traffic court proceedings.
- Any traffic or surveillance camera footage.
- Photographic evidence.
- Any GPS or black box data.
- Results of any blood or alcohol tests.
- Records from attending paramedics, the emergency room, and the hospital.
Philadelphia Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer
The insurer of the delivery truck driver will probably contact you and ask you to give a recorded statement about what happened. Never give any type of a statement without a lawyer on your behalf being present. That insurer will only try to use your own words against you to attack your credibility and try to devalue your claim. Instead, contact us right away after being injured in any type of a delivery truck accident. Anything that you say to us is confidential. If we enter into a retainer agreement with you, no legal fees are even owed unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you. Contact us right away for a free consultation and case evaluation after being injured in any motor vehicle accident.