Bartlett Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

Competition among retailers and online vendors to deliver products fast continues to rise, as does the presence of delivery trucks and vans on Bartlett roads. Regrettably, reports of delivery truck accidents have also increased. These accidents can leave victims with life-changing injuries, property damage, and considerable financial losses. 

When someone else’s negligence costs you physical, emotional, and financial harm, that party must be held accountable, and you must be compensated. An experienced Bartlett personal injury lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu, & Montesi PLC will help you secure that compensation.

Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents in Bartlett

Delivery truck drivers are under pressure to fulfill their packed delivery schedules as quickly as possible. Customers want their products, and employers want the customers’ continued business. This pressure can lead to drivers taking shortcuts or engaging in behaviors that cause accidents.

Sudden Stops and Quick Turns

Drivers often have new stops on their schedules each day. If not entirely familiar with an area, drivers may make a sudden stop upon reaching their destination. Cars following the truck may rear-end the vehicle or collide with others on the road in an attempt to avoid hitting the truck. 

Larger delivery vehicles need more space when executing turns, and a quick turn may cause other vehicles to swerve off course.

Backup Maneuvers

You have probably heard the “beeping” signal warning pedestrians or nearby vehicles when a truck or delivery van backs up. Sometimes, the warnings are not heard in time for a pedestrian or car to move. Since trucks and delivery vans have less visibility and are more challenging to navigate through backups than passenger cars, they have an increased likelihood of reversing into or over a car or pedestrian.

Improperly Secured Cargo

Drivers may rush to load their cargo to meet scheduling deadlines and fail to load it properly. In other cases, they may improperly secure the load, which could lead to cargo shifts as they drive. These shifts make the vehicle more difficult to control. Heavy items can tumble out when the driver stops to unload a delivery, creating road hazards or hitting other cars or passersby if the loads are packed haphazardly.

Unsecured Parking Brake

Delivery vehicles are heavy, making engagement of the parking brake essential when the driver stops to unload. Failure to engage the brake can send the truck rolling uncontrolled into the paths of other cars or pedestrians.

Driver Fatigue, Error, or Distraction

Handling a truck safely requires an alert mind and a rested body. When pushed to deliver more and deliver faster, drivers may end up operating their vehicles while fatigued, experiencing lower reaction times and road awareness. Tired or rushed drivers are also more likely to make driving errors, such as racing through yellow lights or failing to obey the rules of the road. 

Driving distracted is dangerous for any driver, especially for delivery truck drivers with larger, heavier vehicles to control.

Mechanical Error

Failures of the braking, steering, or unloading systems and apparatus can make it impossible for drivers to control their vehicles. Commercial trucks are required to undergo and document regular inspections to ensure all parts function safely.

Whatever or whoever’s negligence caused your accident, your delivery truck accident attorney in Bartlett will investigate your accident fully, file a claim on your behalf, and build a case to hold the at-fault party financially responsible for your damages.

Delivery Trucks and Drivers Must Meet Commercial Vehicle Regulations

Commercial vehicles are categorized as those transporting goods or fare-paying passengers. Drivers must have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) to drive large commercial trucks, but even drivers of “light” delivery vans and other delivery vehicles must have a Class D license with a For-Hire Endorsement. Drivers must undergo training and testing to obtain these licenses.

Commercial vehicle operators must also comply with regulations for hours of operation and mandatory rest as established by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws are also stricter for commercial drivers, who can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04% or higher.

Your Bartlett delivery truck accident attorney from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu, & Montesi PLC will carefully review the truck driver and employer’s training and compliance with Tennessee and federal standards. Your attorney can then determine if they are able to hold the driver or truck company accountable for any accident-causing failures.

The Legal Process Can Be Complicated for Bartlett Delivery Truck Accidents

Holding those responsible for your damages can be complicated in delivery-truck accidents. While some drivers are employed by the companies they deliver for directly, other drivers work as independent contractors, operating outside the company’s insurance.

Many Amazon drivers operate as Delivery Service Partners (DSPs). Amazon holds these drivers to specific employment standards but is not their direct employer. This makes it more difficult to hold the company liable when DSPs injure others in an accident. 

Your knowledgeable delivery truck accident lawyer in Bartlett will not be intimidated by “big company” avoidance tactics. With legal skills and negotiating savvy, your lawyer will fight for justice and a fair settlement.

A Fair Settlement Brings a More Stable Future

Delivery-truck accident victims often experience life-altering injuries resulting in chronic pain, diminished abilities, reduced quality of life, a need for round-the-clock care, and extensive medical interventions. The effects bring tremendous financial instability from medical expenses and loss of income should injuries prevent the victim from maintaining employment. 

Your future and your household’s stability should not fall victim to the at-fault party’s negligence. A fair settlement will ensure that does not happen. Financial compensation can recover medical expenses, lost income and potential earnings, property damage, and other economic losses or expenses related to the accident. Additionally, it acknowledges your pain and emotional suffering.