Were you involved in an accident with a delivery truck in Costa Mesa? With more delivery vans and trucks on the road than ever before, collisions involving these vehicles have become increasingly common, and they often leave victims facing disastrous consequences.
Furthermore, the aftermath of a delivery truck collision can be overwhelming, and many victims are left feeling uncertain about what comes next. However, we’re here to remind you that you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
Leave the legal matters to a delivery truck accident lawyer in Costa Mesa. At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we have been serving accident victims for nearly a decade, including numerous people who have been hurt in crashes with delivery trucks. We’ll advocate for you as your Costa Mesa truck accident lawyer.
The Rising Presence of Delivery Trucks in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa’s location in central Orange County makes it a natural hub for commercial traffic. It sits between several major freeways, so delivery trucks frequently travel through the city on their way to distribution centers, retail stores, and residential neighborhoods.
The increase in e-commerce has amplified this presence. Amazon vans, UPS trucks, FedEx delivery vehicles, and large semi-trucks are now a daily sight. Additionally, delivery trucks weigh far more than standard vehicles, which requires more space to make full stops.
The rise in traffic and the size of delivery trucks combine to create more opportunities for collisions. Our Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers can sort through these unique complications and assist you in filing a claim for damages following a serious accident.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck accidents can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- Driver fatigue: California law restricts the number of hours commercial drivers can operate, but delivery schedules often push drivers to their limits. Fatigue slows reaction times and increases the likelihood of mistakes.
- Distracted driving: Delivery drivers frequently rely on GPS devices, scanners, and mobile apps to complete their routes. Diverting attention from the road for even a moment can cause collisions.
- Improper loading: A poorly secured package load can shift during transport, causing a truck to become unstable or difficult to control.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Tight schedules sometimes encourage drivers to speed or weave through traffic, increasing accident risks.
- Parking and stopping hazards: Delivery trucks often stop in bike lanes, red zones, or along crowded residential streets. These sudden stops or illegal parking maneuvers create dangers for nearby vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- Vehicle maintenance issues: Companies are legally required to maintain their fleets, but neglected brakes, bald tires, or faulty lights can contribute to catastrophic accidents.
Types of Delivery Truck Accidents
Collisions involving delivery trucks take many forms:
- Rear–end collisions: A delivery truck may not stop in time due to its heavy load, striking vehicles stopped at traffic lights or intersections.
- Sideswipe accidents: Larger blind spots make lane changes especially dangerous on busy freeways like the I-405.
- Intersection crashes: Trucks rushing to meet deadlines may run red lights or fail to yield, causing serious crashes at intersections.
- Pedestrian and cyclist accidents: Costa Mesa’s neighborhoods, bike paths, and pedestrian zones mean that people walking or biking are especially vulnerable when trucks make sudden stops or turns.
- Rollover accidents: Top-heavy delivery trucks can roll over if they take curves too quickly, such as on freeway off-ramps.
- Multi–vehicle collisions: A single truck can cause chain-reaction crashes when traveling on high-speed roads.
Injuries Resulting from Delivery Truck Accidents
Because of the size and weight of delivery trucks, accidents often result in these injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even with airbags, the force of impact can lead to concussions or other serious forms of brain trauma.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care.
- Broken bones and fractures: High-impact crashes frequently result in multiple fractures.
- Internal organ damage: Blunt force trauma can damage organs, sometimes requiring emergency surgery.
- Severe lacerations and burns: Broken glass, sharp metal, or fires can cause permanent scarring.
- Fatal injuries: Sadly, some delivery truck accidents result in wrongful death, leaving families to cope with immense loss.
California Laws Governing Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck accidents are subject to both state and federal regulations. California follows a fault-based system, meaning the party responsible for the accident is held liable for damages. Determining liability can be a lengthy process if multiple parties may share responsibility, such as the following:
- The driver: If negligence—such as fatigue, distraction, or intoxication—caused the accident, the driver may be held accountable.
- The delivery company: Employers can be liable for their drivers’ actions under a principle known as respondeat superior. Additionally, companies may face liability for poor hiring practices, training failures, or inadequate vehicle maintenance.
- Third–party contractors: Many delivery services use independent contractors. In such cases, questions about liability become even more complicated under California law.
- Manufacturers and maintenance providers: If a defective part or inadequate maintenance contributed to the crash, liability might extend to other parties.
California also has comparative negligence laws, meaning a victim’s compensation may be reduced if they are found partially at fault for the accident.
Call Our Law Firm Today to Meet With Our Costa Mesa Delivery Truck Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision with a delivery truck, you don’t have to go through the aftermath by yourself. These crashes can leave you feeling stressed out and pushed beyond the scope of what’s comfortable, but Omega Law Group can help.
Our Costa Mesa delivery truck accident attorneys are ready and willing to pursue compensation on your behalf. You need someone to advocate for your rights, protect you from predatory insurance companies, and provide you with legal advice every step of the way.
Don’t wait to take the first step toward accountability. As soon as you reach out to our delivery truck accident attorneys in Costa Mesa, we will begin working on holding the at-fault parties accountable for their behavior.