Delivery Driver Accidents
Our Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida truck accident attorneys at MLG Injury know that while it is only October, holiday shopping is going to shift into high gear in the coming months. That means not only more people will be on our roadways, scrambling for gifts, but also that delivery drivers, trucks, and other large vehicles will be increasing to ensure online orders and packages make it to shoppers’ doorways on time.
Across the country, there is an increased demand for delivery drivers who can help supply the shipping demand online holiday shopping requires. In most cases, depending on the type of delivery vehicle, these drivers are not required to carry a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Without the CDL credential, these drivers can lack experience and the safety training necessary to operate their large vehicles safely. When their inexperience or lack of training translates into negligence, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi injury victims may be eligible to pursue a claim against the driver, company, another third party — or a combination of each.
Here is what delivery vehicle injury victims need to know about their legal rights and options.
Are Delivery Drivers or Their Employers Liable for Accidents with Injuries?
When a delivery vehicle collision occurs, the driver’s negligent action or inaction is the first potential place to start when pursuing liability.
That may include crashes that result from:
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
- Impaired Driving
- Failing to Follow Safety Protocols
- Disobeying Traffic Signs and Signals
Even when the delivery driver was clearly at fault, their employer may still share some of the liability. This will help determine which insurance policies will provide the financial recovery our clients can pursue during their personal injury claims.
Businesses are liable for the negligent conduct of their delivery drivers. However, the company and their insurance provider are going to do all they to minimize their risk, which often means labeling the driver as an independent contractor or stating he or she was not acting in the course and scope of their employment at the time of the crash.
How Does Employer Negligence Increase an Injury Victim’s Financial Recovery Options?
When an employer or parent company — like Amazon, FedEx, or UPS — shares liability for the crash, they have higher policy limits and assets to cover catastrophic injuries, as opposed to the delivery driver’s personal coverage.
The insurance companies — whether it is an independent driver’s coverage or that of a large corporate company — will do all they can to undervalue or deny accident claims. The difference is, corporations like Amazon, FedEx, or UPS have in-house legal teams that will aggressively fight for their clients, insisting the company is not liable for the delivery driver’s crash and injuries, so they are under no obligation to contribute to the injury victim’s financial compensation.
This is where we can help.
Proving liability requires an extensive investigation into the crash, hiring practices, training requirements, and other company policies that are designed to keep the public safe when their trucks are making deliveries. Our experienced Florida personal injury attorneys have the legal skills and resources to ensure each aspect of a crash is reviewed, so we can assuredly outline who is liable for the crash, so our clients can pursue the best outcome for their unique cases.
Contact our skilled Florida, Mississippi, or Louisiana truck accident attorneys at MLG Injury to schedule a free consultation today by calling 888-904-2524 to learn how we can help you pursue the outcome you deserve, so you can focus on your full physical recovery while we manage the details of your claim.
