Delivery truck drivers, like those who work for FedEx and UPS, are under a lot of pressure. They have a lot of packages to deliver in a short period of time, which can cause them to cut corners at the risk of others’ safety. Hundreds of people are hurt or killed each year by these drivers.
The causes of delivery truck accidents
But how do these package delivery truck accidents occur? Here are some of the most common reasons why package delivery truck drivers wind up causing accidents:
- Sudden braking: Although they’re armed with navigation systems, delivery truck drivers often struggle to find the addresses where they need to stop to drop off packages. As a result, they may hit the brakes suddenly and unexpectedly, which might result in a rear-end collision. So, if you’re driving behind one of these trucks, you should make sure that you’re giving yourself enough leeway to slow down and stop if the truck suddenly brakes.
- Making abrupt and unexpected turns: Again, because they’re looking for delivery addresses, delivery truck drivers may make a sudden and unexpected turn into a driveway, parking lot, or onto another road in order to head towards a delivery address. But since these vehicles need more space to turn, such sudden actions can result in a wreck because the truck driver miscalculated the amount of space that they had to make the turn.
- Improperly reversing: These delivery trucks are pretty big, which means that putting them in reverse requires a lot of attention and skill. But drivers who are in a hurry might throw their vehicle into reverse and speed backward without the requisite amount of care. This can put other drivers at risk, but pedestrians and bicyclists may be especially vulnerable to these types of wrecks.
- Failing to utilize the parking brake: It seems like common sense, but sometimes delivery drivers are moving so quickly that they forget to put their vehicle in park or engage the parking brake. As a result, these trucks sometimes roll away and into unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians, causing devastating harm.
- Distracted driving: The drivers of these trucks may be more distracted than other motorists. This is because they’re oftentimes referring to their navigation systems and looking for addresses while their vehicle is in motion. This is non-stop during their shift.
- Improper training: Driving a delivery truck requires a lot of skill. Those drivers who are improperly trained can struggle to control their trucks, regardless of the circumstances. This means that inexperienced and dangerous drivers can wind up causing a serious or even catastrophic accident.
- Improperly secured cargo: Packages within a delivery truck are supposed to be balanced so that the vehicle’s steering isn’t affected. But sometimes these trucks are misloaded, which can cause a whole host of problems. Although improperly secured cargo can lead to handling issues, it can also increase the risk that packages will fall out of the truck and cause a car, bicycle, or pedestrian accident.
Are you ready to find accountability?
Delivery companies like FedEx and UPS think that they can avoid liability when their drivers are involved in accidents. But you shouldn’t let their stature dissuade you from seeking the accountability and compensation that you deserve. So, if you’re ready to take the fight to these companies and their negligent employees, then now is the time to start considering your representation options.