You may be able to sue multiple parties in a delivery vehicle accident if you were in an accident caused by a delivery vehicle driver.
Determining liability will be necessary, as this will determine who the at-fault party or parties are. You and your legal team may need to investigate what led to the accident and who may be held liable for the damages that resulted from the accident.
Read on to learn more about who may be held responsible for injuries from an accident caused by a delivery vehicle driver.
Delivery Vehicle Accidents May Have Various Causes
Delivery drivers are human like the rest of us, which means delivery vehicle accidents may have a variety of causes. These causes may involve mechanical issues, individual issues with drivers, how vehicles were loaded, and environmental factors.
Some common causes of delivery vehicle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Equipment malfunctions in the vehicle
- Poor weather conditions
- Lack of fleet maintenance
- Mechanical problems within the vehicle
- Driving while under the influence
- Pressure from employers to work longer hours or under more difficult circumstances
- Incorrectly or poorly loaded trucks
Know Who May Be Liable for a Delivery Vehicle Accident
The specific party you sue may depend on your accident’s circumstances. The following parties may be held liable for a delivery vehicle accident:
- The government: There are times when a government entity is liable for accidents, such as in cases involving USPS delivery vehicles. If a defective roadway caused an accident, a government entity may also be held liable for improper maintenance.
- A specific company: If the delivery driver works for a private company, the business may face liability for damages caused by the delivery driver if they were working at the time of the accident. Some examples include delivery truck drivers for companies like Amazon and UPS.
- An individual driver: If a driver was driving distractedly, negligently, or recklessly, they may be held liable for the accident. However, if they were technically working at the time of the accident, their employer may be held accountable for the damages.
Additionally, per the accident investigation, there may be other potentially liable parties for your losses and injuries, including third-party drivers, property owners, and auto parts manufacturers. If another party is determined to be liable for your damages, you may be able to pursue compensation from them.
You May Be Able to Collect Multiple Compensatory Awards
Injuries are very common in vehicle accidents. In 2018, there were 66,523 injury crashes in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit for your injuries, multiple compensatory awards may apply to your case.
The most common types of compensation you may be able to collect in a settlement or judgment as a result of your injuries include:
- Awards for your medical expenses related to your injuries, such as costs for hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
- Awards for lost wages if you missed time at work because of your injuries
- Awards for losing the ability to continue working if your injuries are permanent and disabling
- Awards for pain and suffering if you experienced intense physical pain or emotional anguish after the accident
Your lawyer may suggest other compensatory awards to pursue, based on the circumstances of your case.
How an Attorney May Be Able to Help Your Case
If you were in an accident caused by a delivery vehicle driver, it may be helpful to discuss your case with a legal representative. They may be able to provide legal insight into your case, evaluate the specific circumstances, and help determine who you can sue in a delivery vehicle accident.
Due to the complex nature of delivery accident cases, your lawyer may assist with multiple legal aspects of your case, serving as your advocate, saving you time, and ensuring all timeframes are handled according to the law. In Virginia, there is a period of two years after an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to the Virginia Law §8.01-243. As a result, this will be important to keep in mind if a lawsuit needs to be filed.
Furthermore, if it is possible to bring a claim or lawsuit against the responsible party, your lawyer may analyze the accident to help determine a value for your losses and injuries. Your lawyer may help you build a comprehensive case to demonstrate how the accident impacted your life, created significant expenses, and resulted in great losses. Your lawyer can then negotiate a settlement with the liable parties on your behalf.
Contact the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, for Help with Your Delivery Vehicle Accident
We understand how insurance companies work, and we will fight hard to ensure justice is served on your behalf. If you were injured in an accident caused by a delivery driver, an attorney may help you with your case.
Contact the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, today at (571) 229-1800 to speak with a legal representative from our team. We offer a free case evaluation, and we can help you understand the details of your case further, including whether it is possible to sue a particular entity after your delivery vehicle accident.
Additionally, our team understands how necessary compassionate care after an injury is. We treat all of our clients with personalized representation, and we would like to do the same for you.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form
