Delivery trucks from national and local retailers are a common sight in most neighborhoods, bringing residents packages, groceries, and other essentials. With the increase in online shopping, there are now more delivery trucks on Texas roads than ever before. This means there are also more delivery truck crashes.
Delivery trucks—also called box trucks—can be challenging to drive, especially for inexperienced drivers. Since there is often high turnover with delivery truck driving jobs, companies often feel pressured to hire drivers who have never driven these vehicles before. The vehicles themselves are boxy, have a high profile, and often have a manual transmission, making them more difficult to maneuver. Our Dallas truck accident attorney speaks on these dangers more.
Common Causes of Box and Delivery Truck Crashes
Sometimes delivery truck accidents happen because of the same reasons big trucks get involved in accidents, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or violation of traffic laws. But some box truck accidents happen because of the unique challenges drivers face with these vehicles. Some of the common causes of box truck accidents include:
- Making sudden stops. When a delivery truck driver makes a sudden stop without warning to lookup an address for a delivery, this could cause a collision with the car behind their vehicle. In this situation, the delivery truck driver may be held liable for the rear-end crash.
- Being distracted. Delivery drivers may be looking at their GPS device to find an address, checking their phone for texts, talking to a co-driver, or dozing off—all of which can put people at risk.
- Driving too fast. Most delivery drivers are working under a tight schedule, and they want to get their deliveries made as quickly as possible. This often means driving over the speed limit.
- Parking illegally. Delivery truck drivers often park illegally, intending to jump out of the truck to drop off a package quickly. They might block driveways or other vehicles, forcing other drivers to make unsafe moves to get around the box truck. This could put them into the path of oncoming traffic.
- Backing up. Like most larger vehicles, delivery trucks have a blind spot in the back of the truck. If the driver is backing up and a pedestrian or child is in this spot, they could be hit.
- Failing to engage the parking brake. Many delivery drivers leave their vehicles on while they drop off packages. If they do not fully engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll away with no one inside to stop it.
- Having an improperly secured load. If the items to be delivered are not secured properly or if the truck is overloaded, this makes the truck even more difficult to drive. If items fall off the truck while it is moving, this can create hazards for other drivers.
What to Do After an Accident With a Box Truck
If you are injured in an accident with a delivery truck, and you believe the truck driver is at fault, potential defendants may include the truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, the truck manufacturer, or the truck maintenance company. Take the following steps immediately after the crash:
- Call the police to file an accident report.
- Gather evidence at the scene. Take photographs or video of the vehicles at the scene. Collect contact information for any witnesses.
- Seek medical treatment and be sure to follow your doctor’s orders.
- Call an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Be sure you do not make a recorded statement to any insurance company until after you have spoken with your lawyer.
An experienced lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected and that you can obtain all the compensation you deserve. At The Button Law Firm, we work on a contingency basis, so there is no cost to you. We don’t get paid unless you receive damages. Call today to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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