Fighting for Full Compensation When Delivery Drivers Cause Crashes
Delivery trucks are a common sight on our roads, transporting goods and packages to homes and businesses. However, the size, weight, and frequent stops of these vehicles can pose significant risks to other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
When a delivery truck accident occurs, trust Meyerkord & Kurth to fight for you. Our St. Louis truck accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate the accident, identify all liable parties, and work tirelessly to secure every dollar you deserve. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Choose Our St. Louis Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers?
- Our attorneys have successfully handled St. Louis commercial vehicle cases involving delivery trucks from major companies. Your delivery truck accident lawyer in St. Louis will examine delivery schedules, driver logs, and maintenance records to prove your right to recovery.
- Our firm has secured favorable outcomes for hundreds of injury victims over our decades of service. We will leverage all of our resources and connections to build the strongest possible case for you.
- Delivery truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries due to the size disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles. We will work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and pursue maximum compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Delivery Truck Accident?
Delivery trucks are everywhere on today’s roads, and accidents involving them can lead to complex liability questions. Several different parties may ultimately owe compensation to those injured, depending on how and why the crash happened. Understanding who can be responsible is crucial for making sure injury victims get all the support the law allows.
The Delivery Truck Driver
The first thought in a truck accident is usually that the driver is at fault. If the delivery driver was acting carelessly, driving distracted, breaking traffic laws, speeding to meet tight schedules, or under the influence, that driver can be legally responsible for causing the crash.
The Driver’s Employer or Delivery Company
Most drivers work for larger companies – package couriers, supply companies, or retailers. The company may be legally liable if the driver caused a crash while actively on the job. Employers can also hold direct liability if they pressured drivers into unsafe schedules, hired someone with a bad driving record, failed to provide adequate training, or looked the other way on safety standards.
Truck or Equipment Owners (If Not the Employer)
Sometimes, delivery trucks are rented or leased. The owner of the truck may face liability if they failed to maintain the vehicle and those issues lead to a crash. Worn tires, bad brakes, or broken safety features put anyone on the road at higher risk.
Cargo Loaders and Third-Party Contractors
Not every crash is caused by driver error. If a third-party company or contractor loaded the truck unsafely, it could cause the cargo to shift or spill during transit. That could lead to these companies being brought in as defendants. Loaders who ignore weight rules, rush jobs, or cut corners can be responsible.
Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers
If mechanical failure played a part in the accident, the parts manufacturer or vehicle maker itself may be looked at for financial responsibility. Delivering vehicles or safety components with defects could lead to a product liability claim.
Determining liability in truck accident cases can be complicated because of the number of parties that could be responsible. Working with a lawyer is a good place to start so they can help you investigate and build your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Delivery Truck Accident in St. Louis?
If you’ve been hurt in a delivery truck accident in St. Louis, Missouri law allows you to seek compensation for a wide range of losses tied to your injury. The actual amount and type of compensation depend on the specifics of your case.
Here are some common types of compensation you may be able to recover:
- Medical bills for hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and all future treatment that is necessary because of the accident
- Lost wages if your injuries keep you from working, as well as lost income you’re going to miss out on in the future
- Loss of earning capacity if you’re no longer able to work at the same job and/or make as much money as you could before the accident
- Costs for damaged property, like vehicles, cell phones, laptops, or other items that were in the vehicle or on your person at the time of the crash
- Payment for permanent scarring, disability, or loss of mobility
- Wrongful death damages if the delivery truck crash leads to the tragic loss of a loved one
While every case is different, a successful claim can mean you’re able to recover compensation to be able to focus on your recovery instead of worrying about finances. Discussing your situation with an experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and the best way to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Delivery Truck Accidents in St. Louis
- Who Can Be Held Liable for a Delivery Truck Accident?
- What Compensation Can You Recover After a Delivery Truck Accident in St. Louis?
- What Are The Types of Delivery Truck Accidents in St. Louis?
- What Are the Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents?
- How Can a St. Louis Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Protect Your Interests?
- How Will Our Truck Accident Lawyer in St. Louis Will Fight for You?
What Are The Types of Delivery Truck Accidents in St. Louis?
Delivery truck accidents in St. Louis occur in various forms, often with devastating consequences. The growing demand for quick deliveries has increased pressure on drivers, leading to risky driving behaviors and dangerous situations on our roads. Unsafe turns, sudden stops, speeding, running red lights, and many other acts of negligence can lead to these collisions.
In St. Louis, delivery truck accidents often involve:
- Amazon Prime delivery vans
- FedEx and UPS box trucks
- USPS mail trucks
- DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats drivers in their personal vehicles
- Grocery delivery vehicles
- Furniture delivery box trucks
- Pharmacy delivery vehicles
What Are the Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents?
Delivery trucks are a constant presence on city streets and highways, often operating under tight deadlines. There are unique pressures and circumstances that can lead to accidents, some of which include:
Fatigue and Distraction
Many delivery drivers spend long and unpredictable shifts on the road, and fatigue can set in before they notice it. Exhaustion makes drivers less alert, while distractions – like checking their route apps, delivery notifications, or even personal texts – take a driver’s focus off the road and make it much more likely that an accident will occur.
Tight Schedules and Pressure to Rush
Delivery quotas and time-slots are often so demanding that drivers feel constant pressure to move quickly, which means driving faster and often more recklessly as a result.
Unfamiliar or Difficult Routes
Drivers may be heading to multiple new areas in a day, dealing with winding roads and adverse weather, low clearances, or tricky drop-off points. This can lead to confusion and missed turns, or sudden stops that cause an accident.
Improperly Loaded or Unsecured Cargo
Poorly balanced or shifting packages in a delivery truck’s cargo area can cause the vehicle to tip over. It can also spill from the truck, endangering everyone on the road.
Vehicle Maintenance Issues
Tire blowouts, bad brakes, non-working lights, or steering troubles are all real risks for trucks that are on the road all day. When maintenance isn’t prioritized, it can lead to crashes.
It takes looking at the specific facts and circumstances of the accident to determine the cause of a truck accident you’ve been involved in.
Common Delivery Truck Accident Injuries
When a delivery truck is involved in a crash, its larger size compared to passenger cars usually means more severe injuries for anyone involved. Some of the injuries victims often face include:
- Broken bones or bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash and serious neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries, sometimes leading to temporary or permanent paralysis
- Cuts, bruises, and internal organ damage
- Crush injuries to the arms, legs, torso, or pelvis
- Burns, especially if the fuel tank ruptures during the crash
- Severe joint or ligament injuries requiring surgery
Any of these injuries can change your life negatively, making it essential to get medical help as soon as possible and to reach out for legal assistance as well.
How Can a St. Louis Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer Protect Your Interests?
When you are injured in a delivery truck collision, your focus should be on recovery—not navigating complex liability issues. At Meyerkord & Kurth, your delivery truck accident lawyer in St. Louis becomes your dedicated advocate against powerful delivery companies. We will work to identify all responsible parties, which can include more than just the driver, and find every avenue to financial compensation.
Your case may involve commercial transportation regulations that ordinary accident claims don’t. Our delivery truck accident attorney in St. Louis meticulously analyze delivery schedules, training programs, and maintenance records to determine if any regulatory violations led to your accident.
Without proper representation, evidence can disappear quickly. We act immediately to preserve delivery records, GPS data, and vehicle maintenance logs before they’re altered or destroyed. When the company reaches out and asks for a statement, we will shield you from potentially damaging communications and prevent your words from being used against you.
How Will Our Truck Accident Lawyer in St. Louis Will Fight for You?
When you are hit by a delivery truck, you are up against not just a driver but an entire company working against you. Our St. Louis delivery truck accident attorneys have successfully represented clients against national delivery companies and their insurers, securing the compensation needed for medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering. Contact us at (314) 300-3000 for a free consultation and learn how our delivery truck accident lawyers in St. Louis will fight for you.