Delivery vehicles have existed for about as long as motor vehicle travel has been an option. However, they have become far more prevalent in recent years. The rise of online commerce has led to the expansion of many of the largest package delivery companies in the country. There are also many businesses that have their own proprietary delivery fleets.
The workers delivering packages for businesses have a high-stress job. They may have to deliver several hundred packages on any given day, regardless of how long it takes them. They may have so many tasks to complete that they do not have time to eat a meal or stop to use the bathroom. Unfortunately, the pressure on delivery drivers can also increase the risk of suffering harm for other people on the road.
Overworked delivery drivers may make poor choices
Anyone who has followed a delivery vehicle on a busy road is probably already familiar with how dangerous they can be. Drivers in an unfamiliar area might miss a turn or a driveway. They may suddenly slam on their brakes or turn unexpectedly without signaling. Their actions can lead to a collision with another vehicle or may cause two other vehicles to collide as they try to avoid the delivery vehicle.
Delivery drivers also often leave their vehicles in unsafe locations. They may park on the road with their emergency flashers illuminated. Sometimes, they park just over the crest of a hill or around a curve, leaving other drivers unable to avoid them.
Overworked delivery drivers might also experience fatigue-related challenges on the road. They may have delays in their reactions to changing traffic conditions due to exhaustion. They might even fall asleep at the wheel.
Frequently, crashes caused by delivery drivers lead to very complex compensation claims. Commercial insurance policies tend to be larger, which means that the negotiation process can be much more intense. The larger size of delivery vehicles also makes it possible for people to suffer injuries so serious that a lawsuit is the only way to recover their losses.
Reviewing every option available can be a smart move for those injured in a crash caused by a delivery driver. Compensation for injuries, lost wages and vehicle damage may be available if the injured party follows the right procedures and reviews their potential claims with an experienced injury attorney.