Although e-commerce sales were already expected to surpass $740 billion by 2023, the coronavirus pandemic has sped up the space of online shopping for many reasons, including physical store closures, local government mandates, and the overall impact the virus has caused on the health of the general public throughout 2020 – and will continue to well into 2021.
Online sales have risen 43% in 2020, as millions of people are using e-commerce shopping options for daily household needs and even groceries, instead of occasional large purchases, and holiday or birthday gifts. This growth is placing commercial deliveries at an all-time high, with online giants like Amazon operating company vehicles well into the nighttime hours to keep up with their delivery requirements.
Unfortunately, as we all continue to see resources strained throughout California, our car accident attorneys in Sutter Creek are also witnessing an uptick in commercial truck collisions.
Not only are these crashes dangerous, often causing severe injuries to those in smaller passenger vehicles, but they can also be difficult to pursue recovery on your own, simply because there are so many factors — and potentially several liable parties — that must be investigated to achieve success.
At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, our truck accident attorneys Sutter Creek will walk you through the legal steps required to hold the negligent driver or the shipping or delivery company responsible for your injuries, so you can get the medical care and time away from work you need to heal.
What Causes Commercial Delivery Truck Accidents in California?
Like most traffic accidents, negligence is typically the main factor in any crash — whether the person is driving a car, SUV, or a commercial truck or van.
The real question becomes, who is responsible for their negligence?
For instance, to meet the rising demand for deliveries, these drivers are often hired quickly, which means they may not be properly trained. When inexperienced drivers get behind the wheel of a large vehicle, it can lead to more mistakes and more accidents.
When a company places an unqualified or poorly trained driver behind the wheel, they may be responsible for a portion of the collision.
The driver may also be held responsible for following a vehicle too closely in a large truck or van that is much harder to stop and rear-ending the vehicle(s) in front of them when they cannot stop in time.
Other common commercial vehicle driver mistakes may include, but are not limited to:
- Distractions from using their phones or other electronic devices for work purposes while driving
- Speeding
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Additionally, because drivers are in such high demand right now, many drivers are overworked, and driving while fatigued or exhausted, which may complicate their ability to pay attention or even stay awake while driving.
If you have been injured in an accident with a delivery driver of any type, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers Stockton at Redkey Gordon Law Corp to learn more about how we can help you pursue the negligent person or parties who were responsible for the crash.
Which Commercial Trucks are the Most Dangerous?
Since most commercial shipping and delivery trucks operated by a large van, the drivers may not be required to have a Commercial Driver’s License.
And while FedEx, Amazon, UPS, and even USPS are all growing at an unprecedented rate, more and more of these companies outsource their driver needs from another company or hire contract or freelance workers.
Unfortunately, these large vans are difficult to maneuver, especially in residential areas where they operate most, and even more so when the driver does not have the experience necessary to operate the vehicle safely.
Redkey Gordon Can Help Remove the Challenges of Commercial Delivery Accidents
Filing a lawsuit against a delivery truck driver or company can be challenging, especially when you cannot pinpoint who may be at fault for the crash.
While the driver may be wearing one company’s shirt, it is possible that he or she works for another company or is an independent contractor.
Another challenge is that multiple parties may be liable for your financial recovery, which inherently makes a case more complex.
At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, our Stockton, California personal injury lawyers will review the circumstances of your commercial truck collision today by calling (209) 267-4589 to schedule a free consultation and will outline the next legal steps necessary to pursue the proper party for your financial recovery.