How the 'New Normal' Means More Delivery Trucks on the Road

How the ‘New Normal’ Means More Delivery Trucks on the Road

The world has changed greatly because of COVID-19. With the United States in lockdown for months on end and mask mandates required almost everywhere, many people are staying in their homes even past the end of lockdown to prevent themselves (and protect others) from getting COVID-19.

169 million people in the United States have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, while about 63 million people are fully vaccinated. That’s only 19.2% of the United States population, so it’s fair that many people still want to stay inside to protect themselves.

With many people staying home, more people are ordering products online instead of going to stores, including:

• Clothes, shoes, jewelry
• Books, video games, and other entertainment sources
• And even groceries, in the form of meal kit subscription boxes

Pretty much anything can be ordered online these days, and with more deliveries occurring each day, more delivery trucks are required to keep up with the workload.

How many more delivery trucks are on the road?

Truck Info estimates that approximately 15.5 million trucks are operating inside the United States at any given time. However, this includes all kinds of commercial trucks and not just delivery vehicles.

Another company, We Forum, suggests that e-commerce delivery will result in a 36% increase in delivery vehicles in inner cities by 2030, leading to more accidents throughout the country.

Statistics on Delivery Truck Accidents

• In 2016, there were approximately 475,000 large truck accidents in the United States.
• Accidents most commonly took place during business hours from Monday to Friday.
• Crashes involving UPS have increased by 38% since 2012, while crashes involving FedEx vehicles have increased by 254.5% since 2012.
• Accidents involving DHL, another popular delivery service (often fulfilling international orders) have increased 100% since 2012.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Injuries because of truck accidents are more likely to be severe than injuries from car accidents. Commercial trucks weigh a lot more than passenger vehicles, and the impact that they have can be life-threatening. Common injuries associated with truck accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Broken or fractured bones
• Lacerations
• Amputation
• Crushing injuries
• Wrongful death

Who is liable for injuries caused in a delivery truck accident?

Determining liability is a huge part of your lawsuit and a big part of what your truck accident attorney will do when they’re first hired. When building a lawsuit, you need to know who’s liable for your injuries—as the liable party (their insurance company) is the one that you sue.

We’ll conduct an in-depth investigation of the accident to determine who was liable and how they were liable for your injuries. Unlike in car accidents where another driver is often liable, liable parties in truck accidents can include:

• Truck driver
• Trucking company
• Truck owner
• Manufacturer of truck
• Truck loader

It’s also possible for more than one party to be liable for your injuries. For example, if the accident occurred because a driver was exhausted, both the driver and the trucking company could be liable. The trucking company could be liable for over-scheduling the truck driver, and the driver could be liable for agreeing to work past legal limits.

What to do if You’re Injured in a Truck Accident

If you’re injured in a large truck accident, the first thing that you should do is make sure everyone is okay. If anyone needs emergency medical care, you should call 911. After making sure that everyone is alright, you should contact the non-emergency police number to file a police report.

While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, gather some evidence of your own. Exchange information with the delivery truck driver (but don’t admit fault or even apologize), as well as anyone who may have witnessed the accident.

Take pictures of the scene, including your vehicle, the delivery truck, your injuries, and the surrounding area. If you can, record a statement for your records to help ensure you don’t forget anything.

Once you’ve been cleared to leave the scene by the investigating police officer, head to a hospital or emergency room to receive medical treatment. Even if you don’t believe that you’re injured, it’s still important to receive treatment.

Before speaking to your insurance company, you should hire a delivery truck accident attorney to represent you. Speaking to an insurance company without representation can be dangerous, and they may try to trick you into damaging your case.

You may be able to Seek Compensation for your Injuries

There are a few different types of damages that you can receive compensation for. The compensation you receive depends on many different factors, including the insurance coverage the defendant has available. If they don’t have enough to cover all of your damages, you won’t receive the full extent.

You can receive economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover any monetary losses you may have experienced like medical bills or lost wages. Non-economic damages include non-monetary losses like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or loss of earning capacity.

You may also receive punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to the plaintiff to further punish the defendant and prevent them from making the same mistake again in the future.

How a Delivery Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You

A delivery truck accident attorney can be a crucial ally in navigating the complexities of your case. They possess the expertise to thoroughly investigate the incident, determine liability, and gather essential evidence. From negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court, they ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With a dedicated attorney by your side, you can focus on recovery while they handle the legal intricacies, maximizing your chances of a favorable outcome.

Contact a Florida Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a large truck accident, please contact one of our talented attorneys here at Jones Law Group. Our attorneys have years of experience working on commercial truck accident cases. And we are ready to take on yours.

For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online, or at 727-571-1333.