Did you get injured after being hit by a delivery truck? Collisions involving large vehicles like these can result in major injuries. Crashes of this nature are also known to leave victims facing costly medical bills and wondering how they will afford their newfound expenses.
It’s also common for people in your position to experience a lot of confusion, especially when it comes to understanding what to do next. Even though the aftermath of a delivery truck accident can be overwhelming, we want you to know that you’re not alone.
With Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, a delivery truck accident lawyer in El Monte will be by your side at all times. We have decades of experience recovering millions of dollars, and we’re ready to represent you as your El Monte truck accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck crashes can stem from several contributing factors. Let’s take a look at examples of common causes:
- Driver fatigue: Delivery drivers often work long shifts with demanding schedules, leading to exhaustion that slows reaction times.
- Distracted driving: Checking handheld scanners, updating GPS systems, or using mobile devices can take a driver’s attention off the road.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Pressure to meet delivery quotas can push drivers to exceed speed limits or make unsafe lane changes.
- Improper loading of cargo: Packages that shift inside a truck can affect stability, increasing the risk of rollovers or swerving accidents.
- Mechanical failures: Poorly maintained trucks may experience brake problems, tire blowouts, or steering malfunctions.
- Improper parking or unloading: Trucks often stop in traffic lanes, block crosswalks, or double-park, creating sudden hazards for other road users.
Each of these factors—especially when combined—can lead to dangerous situations on El Monte’s streets. If you were injured in one of these accidents, an El Monte personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and assist you in your pursuit of compensation.
Types of Delivery Trucks Involved in Accidents
Not all delivery trucks are the same, and the type of vehicle involved often influences the severity of an accident. These are common delivery vehicles in the area:
- Step vans: These are the typical box-shaped delivery trucks used by companies like FedEx and UPS. Their large blind spots make lane changes and turns risky.
- Cargo vans: Frequently used for Amazon deliveries, these vehicles are smaller but still heavier than passenger cars, leading to substantial crash forces.
- Box trucks: Larger vehicles used for heavier loads or commercial deliveries often require special handling and training.
- Flatbeds and specialized delivery trucks: These may carry oversized or hazardous materials, posing additional risks.
Liability in California Delivery Truck Accidents
California law governs how liability is determined in delivery truck accidents. In many cases, multiple parties end up sharing responsibility:
- The driver: If negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or intoxication, caused the accident, the driver can be held accountable.
- The delivery company: Under the legal principle of respondeat superior, employers like FedEx, UPS, or Amazon can be liable for accidents caused by employees acting within the scope of their work.
- Third–party contractors: Some companies hire independent contractors to make deliveries. Determining liability might require your El Monte delivery truck accident lawyer to investigate the contractual relationship between the driver and the company.
- Maintenance providers: If a mechanical failure contributed to the crash, liability could extend to those who were responsible for maintaining the truck.
- Manufacturers: Defective vehicle parts or equipment can also create liability for the manufacturer.
California’s pure comparative negligence system adds another layer to the entire situation. Even if an injured party shares some responsibility for the accident—for instance, if they were speeding or failed to yield—they can still recover damages.
However, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault. Your El Monte delivery truck accident attorney can help you understand what to expect in terms of recoverable compensation.
Common Injuries From Delivery Truck Accidents
Crashes involving delivery trucks often result in serious injuries due to the size and weight of these vehicles, especially in comparison to passenger cars. These are examples of frequently reported injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): These are caused by head impacts or violent shaking.
- Spinal cord injuries: These can potentially lead to paralysis or permanent disability.
- Fractures and broken bones: These are likely in side-impact or high-speed collisions.
- Internal injuries: This is the result of damage to organs caused by blunt force trauma.
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: These are common in rear-end collisions.
- Burns and lacerations: These are likely if fire or hazardous cargo were involved.
The Statute of Limitations
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from delivery truck collisions is two years from the date of the crash. Meanwhile, property damage claims usually have to be filed within three years.
Now, if a government entity is involved—for example, if a delivery truck collides with a city bus or government-owned property—California law requires you to file a claim with the relevant agency within six months of the collision.
Failure to act within these deadlines usually results in losing the right to pursue compensation, so contact delivery truck accident lawyers in El Monte as soon as you can.
Contact Our El Monte Delivery Truck Accident Law Firm ASAP
Dealing with injuries caused by a collision with a delivery truck can be overwhelming. It’s not uncommon for victims of these crashes to end up facing expensive medical bills, lost wages, and a lot of uncertainty surrounding their future.
However, the El Monte delivery truck accident lawyers of Omega Law Group want you to know that you don’t have to face this experience on your own.
Instead of going through everything by yourself, contact our El Monte delivery truck accident attorneys as soon as possible.