Texas Package Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

Texas Package Delivery Truck Accident Attorney

Have You Been In a Package Delivery Truck Accident In Texas?

Call our attorneys today at (713) 535-7051. It’s almost impossible to drive any distance on Texas roadways without spotting a package delivery truck out making its rounds. With many people ordering from UPS, Fedex, and Amazon and many other online retailers it seems they are everywhere. Package delivery trucks, which are also called box trucks, are chosen for this task because they can carry large loads while keeping the cargo safe and dry in an enclosed space. Due to their prevalence on roadways, accidents involving package delivery trucks are a common occurrence, and when you are involved in one you need the assistance of a Texas package delivery truck accident lawyer.

Unique Causes of Package Delivery Truck Accidents In Texas

Causes of package delivery truck accidents as seen by our Texas package delivery truck accident lawyer include:

Strict Scheduling

Many of the orders that are placed online and delivered by these box trucks are on a strict delivery schedule. Drivers are pressured to make the deliveries on or before the time they are due, and may speed in order to beat the clock. Many of the drivers are also working long hours, especially during peak seasons, such as Christmas and Mother’s Day. High pressure work environments and strict scheduling combine to make committing an error while driving easy to do.

Sleep is another casualty of a strict delivery schedule. Driving while fatigued is very dangerous, and can easily lead to the driver of a package delivery truck being negligent and causing an accident. A Texas package delivery truck accident lawyer will check the driver’s log to see what kind of schedule they kept prior to the accident.

Maneuverability & Stops

Package delivery trucks are often found in neighborhoods or other areas where driving space is limited. The size and shape of these trucks make them hard to maneuver, such as when turning a corner or parking. They also have blind spots where the driver is unable to see other vehicles and people. Also, they typically deliver to multiple homes in one area, which means they are required to stop frequently.

Inadequate Training & Maintenance

Driving a package delivery truck is more difficult than operating a van or other smaller motor vehicle. Drivers should receive adequate training, not only on the vehicle they will be driving, but also the route they will be driving, before they are allowed to make deliveries. Many of the drivers are unfamiliar with the area they are assigned to make deliveries in and this lack of familiarity can lead to errors in judgment and driving.

Package delivery trucks have also been known, in the past, to suffer from poor maintenance and very few upgrades. Maintenance issues may include worn tires or missing side-view mirrors. Due to the number of hours these vehicles spend on the road, and the areas they deliver to, these vehicles should receive consistent, proper maintenance and top of the line upgrades, such as back-up assist.

Cargo Loading

Package delivery trucks are responsible for delivering items and packages of all shapes, sizes, and weights. If these items are not carefully balanced when loaded, the package delivery truck can easily be off balance, increasing the likelihood of a rollover accident.

Liability In a Package Delivery Truck Accident In Texas

Before a person can recover for injuries received in a box truck accident, their Texas package delivery truck lawyer must be able to show that another party is responsible for the injuries received by the victim. Sometimes this is a simple matter, and other times, it requires experience and knowledge of the trucking industry and laws and regulations in Texas.

It is likely that the party responsible for the package truck delivery accident is one of the following:

• Delivery Company: As a rule, employers are liable for the actions of their employees. Therefore, the delivery company may be held responsible for the negligent actions of their driver. To determine the extent of their liability, it is a good idea to look into the delivery company’s hiring practices, driver training program, and the expectations placed on company drivers.
• Driver: Drivers of package delivery trucks may be liable for their negligent actions that caused an accident, although most of the time the delivery company is the party from which compensation will be sought. Drivers can be found liable when they engage in distracted driving, consume drugs or alcohol, or disregard posted traffic signs.
• Vehicle Manufacturer: Sometimes, the responsible party isn’t the driver or the delivery company, but the manufacturer of the package delivery truck. When the truck was put together in a way that was defective, and that defect led to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable.
• Vehicle Mechanics: It is not unheard of for a mechanics company responsible for the maintenance on a fleet of package delivery trucks to be held liable when their actions, or lack of actions, led to the accident occurring.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Before bringing suit against a company due to the negligent actions of the driver, it must be determined whether or not the driver was an employee of the company or an independent contractor. This matters because, typically, an employer is not held liable for the actions of an independent contractor. However, merely saying that the driver is an independent contractor is not enough. A Texas package delivery truck lawyer at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm will know how to determine whether or not a driver is an employee or an independent contractor, and the proper party to pursue for compensation.

Texas Package Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm

A Texas package delivery truck lawyer at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can assist you when you have been in an accident with a box truck. We are experienced personal injury legal professionals and we advocate for our clients so they can receive the compensation they are owed. To schedule a consultation, please call (713) 535-7051 or reach out via our contact page.