Drivers in Colorado share the busy highways with hundreds of delivery trucks. While delivery trucks are generally lighter in weight then semi-trucks or tractor-trailer trucks, they are still prone to accidents if not properly maintained or driven by negligent delivery drivers. Many truck accidents involve a delivery truck driver that was driving too fast or recklessly driving in an attempt to make timely deliveries or make more deliveries to earn extra money. If you were injured in an accident involving a delivery truck driver in the Denver area, you should retain a Denver personal injury attorney who can advise you of our legal options.
Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Pressure to meet delivery deadlines is a primary factor in most accidents involving delivery trucks. Many accidents are caused by:
- The driver fails to yield when merging onto a highway;
- The driver attempts a sudden left turn to save time;
- The driver failure to engage the truck’s parking brake when delivering a package to a building and the truck rolls into pedestrians or traffic;
- The driver passes an address and backs up instead of circling the block, and crashes into a vehicle, bicyclist or pedestrian.
Other causes of delivery and other truck accidents include equipment failure, tire or break failure, driving while intoxicated, driver fatigue and multitasking (i.e., talking on a cell phone or texting). Delivery truck accidents can also occur in parking lots where the trucks are making deliveries to local stores and other retail outlets. Though at a lower speed, the large size of the trucks can cause serious injuries.
Federal Regulations
Delivery truck drivers and the companies that hire them must adhere to the same Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations that govern other truck drivers. These regulations set mandatory requirements for safe operation of all commercial trucks, such as:
- Driver training requirements
- Maintenance requirements for trucks
- Mandatory driver recording of hours of service
- Alcohol and drug prevention programs for drivers
Why Get An Attorney?
Retaining a Denver personal injury attorney can ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for your pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C., are experienced in handling truck accident cases and are knowledgeable about trucking company regulations, truck safety requirements and truck driver training, requirements and regulations. Your attorney can do an investigation to determine if any trucking violations were committed on the part of the driver or trucking company, as well as any other negligent act that could have contributed to the accident that caused your injuries. Time is often of the essence in cases like these, so you should contact their law office for a free initial consultation as soon after the accident as possible.
