Were you involved in a collision with a delivery truck? People who drive delivery trucks are often operating under tight schedules and carrying heavy loads, so incidents involving these vehicles can result in serious injuries and life-changing consequences.
It’s no wonder that the aftermath of a crash like this can feel overwhelming and confusing. You may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and physical harm on top of emotional pain and mental trauma, but you’re not alone—a San Jose delivery truck accident lawyer can help.
More specifically, at Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we can represent you as your San Jose truck accident lawyer. We have decades of combined experience recovering millions of dollars in compensation, and we’re here to help. Let our family take care of your family.
Unique Dangers of Delivery Trucks on California Roads
From cargo vans and box trucks to large step vans and semi-trucks, delivery trucks range in size. These vehicles typically pose a unique set of risks due to the following factors:
- Size and weight: Heavier vehicles require more stopping distance, and they can cause greater damage in a collision as a result.
- High frequency of stops: Delivery drivers frequently stop, turn, and park in unexpected places, which are behaviors that heighten the risk of rear-end and sideswipe incidents.
- Tight schedules: Drivers often operate under strict time pressures, which can lead to speeding or unsafe driving behaviors.
- Distracted driving: Navigation apps, dispatch communications, and delivery instructions can contribute to cognitive impairment as well as manual distractions.
- Limited visibility: Larger delivery trucks have more blind spots than passenger vehicles, increasing the chance of collisions with cyclists, pedestrians, and smaller cars.
When these factors are present, California state laws allow those who are injured in the crash to pursue compensation through personal injury claims. It’s worth noting that this process involves more than simply filing a standard car accident report.
However, you don’t have to worry about dealing with the aftermath of dangerous situations involving delivery trucks on your own. Instead, reach out to our San Jose personal injury lawyer for legal advice and representation.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck accidents can result from driver negligence, mechanical failure, employer mismanagement, or a combination of all three. These are common causes of delivery truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours, demanding schedules, and insufficient rest periods can impair reaction time and decision-making.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Drivers may exceed posted speed limits to meet tight delivery windows.
- Improper training: Inadequate training can lead to maneuvering the vehicle poorly, making unsafe lane changes, and failing to secure cargo.
- Distracted driving: Texting, using a GPS, or multitasking in other ways behind the wheel can contribute to collisions.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Shifting loads can affect the truck’s center of gravity, making it more prone to rolling over or jackknifing.
- Brake failure or maintenance issues: Commercial trucks must meet strict maintenance standards, and failure to comply can result in mechanical failure.
- Unsafe backing or parking: Drivers who back into traffic or block bike lanes and sidewalks may end up creating hazards for others.
California’s comparative negligence rules apply no matter if you’re facing a minor collision or a complicated commercial vehicle case. Either way, fault may be shared between multiple parties involved in the collision, depending on the facts.
Your San Jose delivery truck accident lawyers can help you pinpoint the exact cause of the incident that left you injured.
Liability in California Delivery Truck Accidents
Determining liability in a delivery truck accident often requires identifying multiple parties that may bear responsibility.
Unlike standard car accidents, these collisions frequently involve companies, contractors, and third parties in addition to the driver. These are examples of potentially liable parties according to California laws:
- Delivery drivers
- Employers or delivery companies
- Third-party contractors
- Vehicle maintenance providers
- Truck or vehicle manufacturers
- Government entities
Because multiple parties can be involved, establishing fault in a delivery truck accident often hinges on detailed evidence such as employment records, maintenance logs, dash cam footage, and delivery schedules.
For example, if a delivery driver was working as an independent contractor rather than a direct employee, the company may try to shift liability. Similarly, if poor road conditions or faulty brakes contributed to the crash, a government agency or parts manufacturer might share responsibility.
California’s comparative fault system also means that liability can be divided among several parties, depending on their degree of negligence. These details can make a thorough investigation a must when dealing with delivery truck accident claims.
Contact Our San Jose Delivery Truck Accident Law Firm Today
If you or someone close to you sustained injuries in an accident with a delivery truck, you don’t have to go through all of this on your own. These crashes can turn your life upside down, leaving you with serious injuries, mounting bills, and a lot of unanswered questions.
However, a delivery truck accident attorney in San Jose can help. At Omega Law Group, we understand how overwhelmed you likely feel, but we know what it takes to handle cases like yours. You can count on us to fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve.
You don’t have to wait any longer to pursue justice in your case. That’s what we’re here for, so reach out today—as soon as you contact us, we can take measures to hold the at-fault parties accountable on your behalf. Call now.