Most Common Delivery Truck Accident Causes
These days, it seems you can buy anything online and have it shipped directly to your door. With such a high demand for online shopping, there are more delivery trucks on the road than ever before.
From delivery vans to larger semi-trucks filled to the brim with cargo, delivery drivers are always on the go. To keep up with their strict schedules, they may speed, make reckless maneuvers, or simply be distracted behind the wheel. Unfortunately, this can cause accidents and severe injuries.
Here’s a look at the most common causes of delivery truck accidents.
Making Sudden Stops
As a delivery truck driver looks around to find the right address, they may make a sudden stop. If a vehicle is behind them, it could crash into the rear end of the truck.
Backing Up
Delivery vans are a bit challenging to move, especially when backing up. While most of them do have rear-reverse alerts, that’s not the case on some older delivery vehicles. A delivery truck driver should always be vigilant for other vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians when they back up. Sadly, that’s not always the case.
Taking Sudden Turns
When a delivery driver makes a sudden and unexpected turn to get to the destination they’ve missed, they put those on the road with them in grave danger. If you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, you may wind up in an accident.
Forgetting the Parking Brake
Delivery vans typically used by big carriers like FedEx and UPS have parking brakes to keep the vehicle in place while the driver hops out to make the delivery. Forgetting to engage the parking brake means the vehicle can then roll away without the driver, causing a horrific crash.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a problem for every driver on the road, but it can be downright deadly when a delivery truck driver is distracted. If they are checking messages, looking for the next stop, or doing anything other than watching the road ahead, they will be more likely to get into an accident.
Improperly Loaded Trucks
Cargo always needs to be loaded and secured properly in delivery vehicles. If not, it can come loose, impacting the way the vehicle handles. This can lead to a massive crash, or even cause loose items to fall out of the back of the truck, resulting in mayhem on the road behind it.
Lack of Training or Supervision
The demand is so great for these delivery drivers that major carriers may look the other way when it comes to training and supervision. If a driver isn’t trained on how to navigate vehicles like these on the road, they’re a danger to everyone. Supervision is often lacking, too, and many of these companies don’t monitor their drivers as often as they should.
What to Do When You’re Hit by a Delivery Truck
Delivery trucks are subject to federal and state regulations. They must be maintained and follow the rules too. If you were in an accident with a delivery truck, speak to truck accident attorneys about your case and learn what to do next.
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