When delivery truck drivers are negligent or underqualified for their position, serious accidents can happen. News stations all over Texas have reported instances of people being hit by a delivery truck driver. The pervasiveness of delivery truck accidents is surprising. According to various reports released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
- More than 5,000 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal traffic collisions
- Nearly 120,000 large trucks were involved in accidents resulting in serious injuries
- 1,046 injury crashes involved UPS delivery trucks
- 255 injury-causing truck accidents involved FedEx delivery drivers
While two other large delivery truck carriers, Amazon and DL Delivery, reported no incidents in the last 24 months, their data is very misleading, as seen in various local news stories. What happens when a company truck hits you?
Both companies outsource their delivery driving to third-party contractors. In doing so, the true number of fatal accidents in Texas and injury-causing delivery truck accidents is unknown. The carriers can boast safety numbers by not claiming responsibility for their contracted drivers.
Delivery Truck Accident Liability
When you are hit by a delivery truck, liability can be complex. In many cases, the employing company is just one of many companies responsible for property damage and injuries in a commercial vehicle accident claim. Most delivery companies are large and represented by a high-paid team of experienced lawyers. Their legal team is tasked with keeping payouts low or avoiding paying claims altogether.
Although trucking companies are required by federal law to carry significant insurance for their drivers and vehicles, they and their insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing the value of a claim. An experienced truck accident attorney knows insurance adjustor secrets and can employ many methods to ensure you recover your full compensation such as:
Protecting the Evidence
Delivery trucks are often equipped with electronic records, GPS tracking, and other vital data. After a collision, trucking companies will make repairs as soon as possible so their trucks can resume deliveries. Unfortunately, most critical evidence is destroyed during repairs. A truck accident attorney can protect the evidence by sending demand and spoliation letters immediately following the collision.
Gathering Essential Documentation
Delivery truck accidents often cause severe injuries and property damage. To pursue compensation for the accident, you must prepare and file a claim with the insurance company, extensive documentation is needed. If the insurance adjuster refuses to offer a fair settlement, additional evidence will be needed to defend your right to compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can retain experts and investigators to support your claim.
Negotiating on Your Behalf
Insurance adjusters and the lawyers who defend them are trained negotiators. Delivery truck companies employ their services to minimize claim payouts within the bounds of the law. Every trucking company or independent contractor must carry a certain amount of insurance. A talented truck accident lawyer will have the skills necessary to negotiate for a full claim payout and/or to get you the maximum possible compensation for your losses.
Investigating To Find All Negligent Parties
If the insurance policy does not cover all your losses, an attorney can seek compensation from additional sources. In many cases, there may be grounds for a third-party claim against a repair shop, service garage, or other corporate entity involved with the driver or the vehicle.
Every delivery truck accident case is different. Speak to one of our talented truck accident attorneys at Liggett Law Group today to determine if your case contains a third-party claim.
Determining who is at fault in a delivery truck accident is crucial. Truck accident victims must identify all responsible parties to recover the financial damages they deserve.
Various parties can be held legally responsible when someone is hit by a delivery truck, including:
- The trucking company
- The owner of the truck
- The cargo or freight loader
- The maintenance service company
- The truck manufacturer
A seasoned Texas truck accident lawyer can properly investigate the root cause of the collision and identify all potentially responsible parties.
Contact a Delivery Truck Accident Attorney in Texas Today
A delivery truck accident can cause severe injuries to other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. If you are a truck accident victim, you deserve the peace of mind to heal. Let Liggett Law Group identify all responsible parties and investigate the crash. With our legal team on your side, you and your loved ones will receive personal attention with an aggressive approach to win your case. You don’t pay us anything unless we obtain financial compensation for your damages.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a delivery truck accident, schedule a free consultation today.