Gillette Delivery Driver Accident Lawyers
Injured by a Commercial Driver in Gillette? Call Us Today
It didn’t seem that long ago that the only thing you could have delivered was a handful of letters and, once in a while, a package. Now, delivery companies like Amazon operate all across the country and can make deliveries to the most rural and secluded parts of Wyoming. No to mention, it wasn’t until recently the only takeout option in Campbell County was pizza, but now services like DoorDash and Postmates offer a variety of meal options. As convenient as these services are, they do come at a cost. Delivery drivers are often rushed and overworked by large employers, causing them to make mistakes on Wyoming roadways. Mistakes that can easily lead to a catastrophic wreck.
If you or someone you loved were injured by a delivery driver, then you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, time off work, and emotional trauma. But insurance companies rarely ever pay out proper compensation to accident victims, and you will need the aid of a skilled Gillette delivery accident attorney to receive the money you are owed. To schedule an appointment with an experienced attorney at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., call our offices at (307) 257-7800. We offer each potential client a free consultation to discuss their case.
Types of Delivery Accidents in Campbell County
There are two types of deliveries drivers that you can encounter on a Wyoming roadway: package handlers and food delivery drivers. Both of these drivers work under similar pressures and can be involved in serious accidents if they are not careful.
Package handlers often work for large chains like FedEx, UPS, DHL Post, and Amazon, or for a smaller, third-party delivery company that works with one of these larger companies. Most delivery drivers handle the “final mile,” meaning they pick up the deliveries from large semi-trucks and transport them the last few miles to a destination. They often drive large vans that allow them to transport hundreds of packages each day, which means they need a significant amount of driving experience under their belts. Delivery vans are heavy, large, and long, meaning they are more prone to rollovers and have larger blind spots. If a driver gets distracted or becomes fatigued from working long hours, then they can easily sideswipe another driver, cyclist, or pedestrian.
In contrast, food delivery drivers are often gig-workers, meaning they work part-time for companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, or Instacart. They tend to drive their own vehicles and are not fully trained delivery drivers. This makes them less experienced at navigating Campbell County roads, especially during poor weather. They also can work at any hour of a day, meaning an accident can occur at any hour of the day.
Why Delivery Accidents Are Dangerous
Because of the long hours that most delivery drivers put in, they are often overworked, rushed, and slammed with orders. Package handlers are often expected to deliver hundreds of orders each day with few rest breaks. In turn, food delivery drivers are paid per order, often at low wages, so they are pushed to take on more and more orders in order to make a living wage. In both situations, drivers can make deadly mistakes in order to complete an order on time.
Actions that can contribute to a delivery accident include:
- Becoming distracted by a GPS or smartphone app
- Ignoring the right of way at an intersection
- Overloading a delivery van with packages
- Speeding down rural roads or at sharp turns
- Failing to secure cargo
- Making sudden stops
- Driving while fatigued
- Dangerous lane changes
But there is no excuse for driving negligently. These behaviors and practices can easily cause a crash and injure anyone else on the roadway. However, if you or a loved one were injured by a negligent delivery driver, then you may be able to pursue an auto accident claim against their insurance company.
Pursuing Compensation from Delivery Companies
Insurance claims involving delivery drivers can become complicated depending on the company they worked for. For most package handlers, such as FedEx, UPS, DHL Post, or a smaller company, there are sizable commercial insurance policies that cover their vehicles. These policies have high limits that can cover the cost of your injuries in an accident, as well as any future medical bills, lost wages from time off of work, and your pain and suffering.
However, the situation can become complicated if your collision involved an Amazon driver. Most Amazon drivers do not directly work for the company and are actually employed through smaller, third-party delivery companies. Thus, when these drivers are involved in an accident, Amazon cannot be found liable for your injuries. But those small delivery companies should have their own commercial liability policies you can file a claim against.
Food delivery drivers are a different story altogether. Companies like DoorDash and Postmates have “excess insurance.” If you are involved in an accident with one of their drivers, you must first file a claim against the driver’s insurance policy and, if their insurance is not enough to cover your injuries, you can then file against DoorDash or Postmates’ insurance policy. In turn, Uber Eats’s policy is similar to the rideshare insurance policy, meaning you may receive a different level of coverage depending on where the driver was in the delivery.
Determining how much money you can recover in a claim can be difficult after an accident. You are likely in a lot of pain, stressed about your finances, and worried about recovering from your injuries. You shouldn’t have to also read through insurance policies and accident reports to get compensation. Instead, let an experienced Gillette delivery driver accident attorney handle your case.
Get Legal Help from Experienced Gillette Delivery Driver Accident Attorneys
At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., our Gillette car accident attorneys are no strangers to auto accident claims, especially if they involve large companies. While these insurance policies can be complicated, our legal team is dedicated to getting our clients the compensation they need to recover comfortably. What ever company was involved in your delivery collision, our lawyers can review your accident, collect evidence, and hold all available insurance providers to their policies in an auto accident claim or lawsuit, if necessary. To learn how we can help you after a crash, contact our law firm at (307) 257-7800 and schedule a free case evaluation.
Your FREE Case Strategy Session
On All Injury and Criminal Cases
Contact our office right now to speak to
someone who wants to help you.