Delivery Truck Accidents
People order so many items online that we often take for granted the process of delivering that package. While we might order something on our phone or laptop, delivery trucks are still necessary to get that package to our front door. It should come as no surprise that there have been more auto accidents involving delivery trucks and mail carrier vehicles over the last decade or so.
The White Plains, NY auto accident lawyers of Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP would like to consider the rise in delivery truck crashes over the years. We’ll consider why they happen and who is legally liable following a crash.
Statistics on Delivery Vehicles and Packages
Having some statistics on delivery vehicles and package volume will help you understand why these kinds of accidents are so common.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) delivered more than 146 billion pieces of mail in 2018; of that number, 6.2 billion were packages. During that year, the USPS had a fleet of 232,372 delivery vehicles traveling 231,843 different delivery routes.
The publication Automotive Fleet published some interesting statistics about United Parcel Service (UPS). UPS had more than 119,000 delivery vehicles in 2017, and averaged roughly 8.95 accidents for every 100,000 hours of driving.
These numbers on the USPS and UPS cover only two of the nation’s most popular delivery services. Keep in mind that deliveries are also made by FedEx, DHL, and countless other companies.
Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
The most common causes of delivery truck accidents are similar to those we often see for all kinds of auto crashes here in White Plains. This includes:
- Massive vehicle blind spots
- Speeding
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Failure to observe the right of way
- Driver fatigue
Negligence by the Delivery Truck Driver
Given the sheer volume of mail and packages being delivered, delivery truck drivers are put under a tremendous amount of stress. This can cause them to make major mistakes behind the wheel, or to drive in a reckless manner. When this happens, they should be held accountable for their harmful actions. While they may be in a rush to delivery expedited packages, this should not put others at risk for injury.
Negligence by the Delivery Company
Delivery companies may also be responsible for a crash in certain circumstances. If a company has not repaired or maintained their fleet of delivery vehicles, this could result in numerous accidents waiting to happen. Similarly, delivery companies may overwork their employees to a point of exhaustion, making driver fatigue and a potential crash more likely.
We should also note that the delivery company may have been negligent in hiring delivery drivers. A poor driving record, medical issues affecting safety behind the wheel, and other factors should be red flags.
Other Factors Contributing to a Delivery Vehicle Crash
In addition to the above, we should also point out that poor road conditions and bad weather can both contribute to a higher risk of delivery vehicles crashes. Any issues that affect traction (such as potholes, road debris, or rain) make collisions and rollovers more likely with these top-heavy delivery vehicles.
Contact Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a delivery vehicle, be sure to contact our team of skilled auto accident attorneys. The White Plains law firm of Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP can be reached by phone at (914) 686-3700.