Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers in Santa Ana
- Santa Ana Attorneys Seek Compensation for Victims of Delivery Truck Accidents
- Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
- Inherent Dangers of Delivery Trucks and Children in Neighborhoods
- Who Is Liable for Delivery Truck Accident Injuries?
- Compensation in Santa Ana for Delivery Truck Accidents Damages
Santa Ana Attorneys Seek Compensation for Victims of Delivery Truck Accidents
More people are ordering goods and food deliveries rather than going out to physical stores. With more delivery trucks present on the streets, roads, and highways, there's an increased risk of being involved in a delivery truck accident. And Orange County is no exception.
When a delivery truck collides with a regular passenger vehicle, the risks are higher than usual. This is because the sheer size and weight of delivery trucks are typically far larger than a car, van, SUV, or truck. And, sadly, it is often the occupants of the passenger vehicle who will sustain serious or fatal injuries. If you've been involved in a delivery truck accident, you don't need to handle the case alone.
At HN Injury Lawyers, the decades of legal experience from attorneys Phillip B. Nghiem and Ed Hess have helped our clients win over $100 million in personal injury cases.
Call our firm today at (657) 333-5726 to speak with one of our Santa Ana delivery truck accident lawyers about your case.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery truck drivers are under pressure to deliver food, groceries, or countless other items as quickly as possible and often travel the same routes, day after day. With time, the driver may become less alert, violate speed limits, drive while distracted by a cell phone, eat, or just not pay attention to the road. The most common causes of delivery truck accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Failure to maintain brakes, tires, or other systems
- Lack of driver training or experience
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Tired drivers
- Poor weather conditions
- Unevenly loaded cargo
Inherent Dangers of Delivery Trucks and Children in Neighborhoods
Delivery drivers are often transporting goods to quiet, local neighborhoods where children are outdoors. The massive number of delivery trucks in residential neighborhoods can pose a serious risk to children, dogs, cats, and pedestrians, particularly when the driver fails to exercise care when navigating the vehicle.
Who Is Liable for Delivery Truck Accident Injuries?
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident with a delivery truck in Orange County, identifying the liable parties is of critical importance. With the help of a skilled, experienced Santa Ana truck accident lawyer, the liable party or parties can be identified, and a claim or lawsuit can be filed to pursue compensation for all damages. The evidence to support a claim will be gathered and preserved as early as possible, and eyewitnesses will be interviewed before their memories fade. At HN Injury Lawyers, we take on delivery truck accidents with a relentless determination to achieve justice and the maximum compensatory damages. The liable parties could include:
- The Delivery Truck Driver: If the driver is not an official employee of the company but a private independent contractor, a claim can be filed against the driver's vehicle insurance.
- The Delivery Truck Company: If the driver is an employee of the company or is using the company app to deliver goods, the company may be held liable for negligent driving conduct that led to an injury accident.
- A Third Party: In some cases, the accident occurs due to a vehicle system failure. In these cases, the manufacturer of the vehicle, a parts manufacturer, or the truck maintenance firm could be the liable party.
Compensation in Santa Ana for Delivery Truck Accidents Damages
After an accident, an innocent person may face serious injuries, require long-term medical care, and may be unable to work for a period or even for a lifetime if the injuries lead to disabilities. The types of damages that can be pursued in a personal injury claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of medical care, now and future
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional anguish
Each type of damage is given a financial value. It may be necessary to call upon professional resources such as medical and financial experts to evaluate a serious or catastrophic injury claim.
How Delivery Truck Companies Can Be Held Liable in Accidents
Holding delivery truck companies accountable often requires demonstrating that their negligent behavior caused your injuries. These practices can include negligent hiring, where companies fail to properly vet drivers for qualifications and past driving records. Another common issue is inadequate training, where drivers are not sufficiently prepared to safely operate large vehicles. Lack of oversight is also prevalent, with many companies failing to monitor driver behavior or enforce safety protocols. Failing to maintain their vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition can also result in accidents due to mechanical failures.
E-commerce companies like Amazon operate on a model that prioritizes rapid delivery, often setting tight quotas and performance metrics for their drivers. These stringent targets can pressure drivers to engage in risky behaviors, such as speeding, neglecting traffic laws, or skipping necessary breaks to meet delivery schedules.
Package delivery companies such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL often operate under high-demand conditions with tight deadlines. These companies may implement incentive programs to encourage faster deliveries, leading drivers to speed or ignore traffic rules.
Documenting negligent business practices establishes the company's liability. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the company's procedures and policies to uncover any negligent behavior that contributed to the accident.
Delivery truck companies must adhere to various federal and state regulations designed to ensure road safety. These regulations cover aspects such as driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and hours of service. When companies violate these regulations, they can be held liable for accidents that occur as a result. For example, if a company allows a driver to exceed the legally permitted hours of service, leading to driver fatigue and an accident, this constitutes a regulatory violation.
What to Do After a Santa Ana Delivery Truck Accident
If you are driving when the accident occurs, check to see if you are injured and then assist any passengers who require first aid. Call 911 to report the accident. First responders will tend to anyone who requires medical attention, and a police officer will file an accident report.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible following the accident. The full effects of some injuries, such as whiplash, brain injuries, or internal bleeding, may not be fully apparent, but they can grow much worse over time. It's important to begin receiving the appropriate medical treatment right away. The record of your doctor's office visit also provides important evidence when filing a claim or pursuing legal action.
You can use your cell phone camera to capture photos of the accident scene, including vehicles involved in the crash, visible injuries, road conditions, and broken or obscured traffic signs and signals. The images you collect will serve as powerful evidence when your attorney is negotiating a settlement or presenting your case in court. It's also a good idea to collect contact information from witnesses who saw the accident.
Legal Process for Filing a Delivery Truck Accident Claim in Santa Ana
It's important to consult with a truck accident attorney right away. Your lawyer will investigate the accident and file a claim against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your injuries. The next phase is negotiation and settlement discussions with the delivery truck company's insurance provider.
Your personal injury lawyer will play a crucial role in these negotiations, leveraging the evidence you've gathered to argue for a fair and adequate settlement. This stage includes presenting your medical records, repair estimates, and any other relevant documentation to support your claim for compensation. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize paying you what you deserve, so having a skilled attorney to negotiate on your behalf can make a significant difference.
If negotiations do not result in a satisfactory settlement, we are always prepared to take your case to trial. Litigation encompasses several stages, including the discovery phase, where both parties exchange evidence and gather further information. Pre-trial motions and hearings may also take place to address various legal issues. If the case proceeds to trial, both sides will present their arguments, evidence, and witness testimonies before a judge or jury.
Call Our Santa Ana Attorneys About Your Delivery Truck Accident Case
At HN Injury Lawyers, we offer a free case consultation with no time limit. The cases we take are represented on a contingency fee basis—so there are no legal fees unless we win. We have a combined experience of over 50 years and have tried over 100 jury trials. Our attorneys also have an outstanding background in personal injury law. For example, Mr. Hess is a member of the elite "Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum" and the "Top 40 Under 40" by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
We value open communication with our clients and are deeply, genuinely committed to the people we represent in delivery truck accident cases. Call our Santa Ana delivery truck accident lawyers at (657) 333-5726.
Additional Information
- How Amazon’s Delivery Policies Create Dangerous Situations
- Who is Responsible When Delivery Drivers Cause Accidents?
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