Delivery accidents happen far too often on Richmond roads, as there are many drivers with minimal training who work long hours and have many distractions.
When a delivery accident happens, crash victims need to understand their rights, as these types of cases can be complicated by the potential for third-party insurance coverage or vicarious liability.
It’s important to have a personal injury attorney familiar with the laws on delivery truck accidents who can represent you in your pursuit of justice.
Monge & Associates is here to help. Our firm has decades of experience fighting for crash victims harmed by delivery drivers, and we can put our legal knowledge to work on helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation and learn more.
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Why Choose Monge & Associates
When you are pursuing a claim after a crash with a delivery driver, finding the right lawyer is essential to maximize your chances of full compensation.
You need an attorney who is familiar with these types of claims and who is ready to fight for you even when dealing with big companies that want to pay you as little as possible for your losses.
Monge & Associates is the firm to turn to. You should place your trust in our team because:
- Since 1993, we’ve been fighting exclusively for accident victims. We’ve developed extensive legal experience with delivery accident claims during this time and have kept up with evolving laws as delivery models changed and a growing number of businesses began turning to independent contractors to perform deliveries.
- We have a long track record of satisfied clients. We have thousands of five-star reviews, and we have recovered millions in damages for victims of delivery accidents. We’ve proven we can make compelling arguments and build strong claims.
- We truly care about our clients. We are there for you 24/7 if you have questions, need help gathering evidence, or have any issues with your accident claim.
- We have the skills and the willingness to stand up to big companies. Whether you’re dealing with insurers or companies that employ delivery drivers, we are not afraid to fight hard to make them pay what they owe.
You can schedule a free consultation to learn more about the personalized services we provide and about the legal skills we bring to your claim.
Common Types of Delivery Vehicle Accidents in Richmond
Many different kinds of delivery accidents happen in Richmond because there are so many delivery drivers on the roads. Some of the most common types of delivery accidents include:
- Amazon delivery accidents
- Walmart delivery accidents
- FedEx and UPS truck crashes
- Food delivery service incidents, including crashes involving drivers working for DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub
- USPS mail carrier accidents
- Grocery delivery vehicle collisions
- Third-party logistics and last-mile delivery accidents
- Rideshare drivers (Uber & Lyft) doubling as delivery services
Different types of accidents have to be handled in different ways.
For example, claims involving USPS mail carriers involve pursuing legal action against the government, so special sovereign immunity rules apply.
Some companies also employ drivers directly or offer third-party insurance coverage in certain cases, while others work with independent contractors who are solely responsible for carrying insurance and covering losses.
Monge & Associates is experienced in all of these types of delivery driver accidents and we can help you navigate your claim.
Causes of Delivery Accidents in Richmond
Many accidents involving delivery drivers are entirely preventable, but the crashes occur because of negligence or carelessness on the part of drivers.
Some of the most common causes of delivery accidents include:
- Aggressive delivery schedules and time pressure, which cause drivers to make unsafe moves behind the wheel, such as speeding or reckless driving
- Driver fatigue due to working long hours to make ends meet, as many delivery driving jobs don’t pay much
- Inadequate training for delivery personnel as many delivery companies work with independent contractors who don’t have commercial licenses and who don’t complete any formalized training programs.
- Distracted driving as delivery drivers check their GPS or manage their app
- Unfamiliarity with local Richmond neighborhoods when drivers venture into new locations to make deliveries
- Improper vehicle maintenance, since many drivers use their own vehicles and they may not always keep up with maintenance
- Overloaded or improperly loaded vehicles if delivery drivers are trying to get too many deliveries completed, or haven’t been properly trained on best practices for safe loading
- Parking and stopping hazards during deliveries since drivers often stop where they shouldn’t to try to access houses more quickly
Many of these causes are preventable and when a driver engages in these unsafe behaviors, they should be held responsible for the losses that result.
Common Injuries in Richmond Delivery Accidents
Delivery driver accidents can cause a variety of different kinds of harm.
Some of the most common injuries in Richmond delivery accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and back trauma
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injuries and whiplash
- Internal organ damage
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Psychological trauma and PTSD
- Fatal injuries in severe cases
It is not always possible to recover from these injuries, and some victims and their families are left with their lives changed forever.
Liability Issues in Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Claims against delivery drivers can be very complicated for many reasons including:
- Questions about when the company is responsible. A delivery company that employs drivers directly could be held liable for its own negligent policies or under vicarious liability rules. By contrast, companies that have independent contractors doing deliveries are generally not responsible for on-the-job negligence.
- Third-party insurance issues. While vehicle owners who do deliveries are typically expected to maintain their own insurance coverage, some companies buy third-party liability coverage even for independent contractors. This applies only in limited situations, though, where it exists at all.
- Sovereign immunity issues: If a delivery accident happens with a USPS vehicle, old longstanding rules dating back to English times can affect your case. These rules are called sovereign immunity rules because they used to mean you can’t sue the king, but they now mean there are special limits and processes for using the government. Those requirements must be fulfilled if you wish to pursue a claim.
- Vehicle manufacturing issues could play a role: When there is something wrong with a vehicle or its parts, the manufacturer could also be held liable for losses.
Monge & Associates will help you understand liability rules and identify all defendants who could potentially be held responsible for compensating you.
The more defendants, the more insurance coverage, and the greater your chances of being paid for all damage done.
Compensation Available for Richmond Delivery Accident Victims
There may be many kinds of compensation available if you successfully make a delivery accident claim.
Some of the things the other driver or insurer could be obligated to pay you for include:
- Medical expenses, including current and ongoing expenses in the future
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage to vehicles and personal belongings
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress compensation
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages for families
Steps to Take After a Delivery Vehicle Accident in Richmond
After a delivery vehicle accident in Richmond, steps you should be sure to take include the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention so your injuries can be treated and documented
- Report the accident to law enforcement so they can investigate and provide a police report that can be used as evidence
- Document the accident scene if possible, including taking photos from the crash scene
- Identify the delivery company and driver information so you can pursue legal action against one or both of them
- Gather witness contact information so you will have witnesses to back up your version of events
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies so you don’t say anything that can jeopardize your claim
- Contact a Richmond delivery accident attorney promptly to start working on building your claim
You will need as much evidence from the crash scene as possible to prove fault in case it is disputed.
You should also get legal help ASAP, as Monge & Associates can begin working to help build a strong case, identify defendants, and pursue justice.
Contact Our Delivery Accident Lawyers Today
When you need an attorney ready to stand up for you after a delivery driver accident, give us a call or contact us online.
We won’t charge you fees for legal representation unless we win, and we always offer free consultations and case valuations, so reach out now to see how a Richmond delivery accident attorney at Monge & Associates can help you.
Directions to our local office:
7204 Glen Forest Dr Suite 200A,
Richmond, VA 23226