The Small Firm for Big Cases

Philadelphia Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

With the explosive growth of the online retail industry, there are more delivery trucks on the road than ever before. At the same time, drivers are often under extreme pressure to make deadlines, inexperienced, or unfamiliar with the areas where they are delivering goods. As a result, collisions involving delivery trucks have increased considerably across the country. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a commercial delivery vehicle, the Philadelphia delivery truck accident attorneys at Youman & Caputo can help. Call today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

How You Benefit From Our Experience

Especially when serious injuries and large corporate defendants are involved, the Philadelphia catastrophic injury law firm you choose to represent you can make a significant impact on the outcome of your case. At Youman & Caputo, our attorneys have more than 100 combined years of experience representing injured clients, including cases involving commercial vehicles. In fact, we have recovered over $850 million for our clients and have secured over 100 settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million. Our attorneys understand the law involved, how to build strong cases, and how to maximize results for our clients.

How are Delivery Truck Accident Cases Different?

Cases involving commercial delivery vehicles may be much more complex than those involving typical passenger vehicles. There are several reasons for this, including:

  • There are often multiple corporate entities involved. While typical passenger vehicle accidents will involve one or more insurance companies, delivery truck accidents involve online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart or shipping companies such as UPS or FedEx.
  • Depending upon the size of the commercial vehicle, the injuries that a passenger vehicle occupant or pedestrian suffers can be significant. A Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyer is prepared to fight for the rights of anyone struck by a truck while on the sidewalk.
  • Proving fault for the collision may be difficult and require extensive investigation and resources.
  • Commercial vehicle operators must adhere to a number of laws and regulations that commercial vehicle operators must adhere to. Any claim or lawsuit involving a commercial vehicle requires a complete understanding of the issues involved.

Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents

Commercial delivery vehicle accidents occur for a variety of reasons, many of which are completely preventable. This includes:

  • Failure to obey traffic laws
  • Fatigued drivers
  • Unsafe and unrealistic time and route expectations
  • Inadequate training
  • Failure to complete safety checks or repairs
  • Failure to set parking brake when making deliveries
  • Inattention
  • Unfamiliarity with route
  • Intoxicated or impaired drivers
  • Defective vehicle parts
  • Poorly or improperly secured cargo

In many, if not all of these cases, the company that owns or operates the vehicle and employs the delivery truck driver may be legally responsible for the accidents they cause. In many cases, however, companies attempt to avoid liability by employing independent contractors or outsourcing delivery to other, smaller companies. Determining who is liable, or who shares liability, for a collision can be difficult in these cases. A Philadelphia motor vehicle accident attorney will work to uncover the truth of the situation and evaluate your legal options.

What Injuries Can a Delivery Truck Accident Cause?

Particularly when fully loaded, a delivery truck may be several times more heavy than a passenger vehicle or SUV. When a smaller car collides with a delivery truck, there is always a very real risk of serious injuries or even death. Some of the most common injuries suffered in a delivery truck accident include:

  • Back or neck injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries
  • Seat belt injuries
  • Burns
  • Lacerations
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Wrongful death

Many of the injuries caused by a delivery truck accident can be life-changing. If you or a loved one suffer a traumatic brain injury or other serious harm due to a negligent delivery truck driver, speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

Insurance Coverage for Commercial Vehicles in Pennsylvania

While Pennsylvania law requires a minimum level of liability insurance, most commercial vehicle operators carry significantly higher amounts of liability insurance coverage. For instance, Amazon Flex drivers have $1 million in liability coverage when they are delivering packages for Amazon. UPS vehicles are required to have a liability insurance limit of up to $1 million as well.

This is important because collisions involving large commercial vehicles can cause devastating injuries and significantly impact a person’s life and the lives of their family members. While $1 million may be enough coverage in some cases, those collisions that result in death, lifelong injury, or a serious injury to multiple parties will likely far exceed those limits. In this event, the company that operates the vehicle may be responsible for the damages above the insurance coverage. In certain cases, multiple parties may share responsibility. An experienced Philadelphia delivery truck accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation, identify all liable parties, and maximize the compensation that is paid to an injured person.

Call our Philadelphia Delivery Truck Accident Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one have been injured in a delivery truck accident, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Youman & Caputo, we are here to listen to you, explain your legal options, and help tailor a legal strategy to recover the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.