From major carriers like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS to local courier services, delivery trucks make millions of trips through Tennessee every day. While this convenience benefits consumers, it also increases the risk of accidents. If you have been injured in a collision with a delivery truck, you have grounds for legal action. Knowing who can be held liable for your injuries is the first step toward obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Knoxville truck accident attorney today — call (865) 691-2777.
Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Delivery drivers often face immense pressure to meet tight deadlines and complete high volumes of stops each day. This demanding environment can contribute to dangerous driving behaviors and preventable accidents. Some of the most common causes of delivery truck crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue from long shifts without adequate rest
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate training on safe driving practices
- Reckless maneuvers in residential areas or parking lots
- Speeding or rushing to meet delivery quotas
- Failure to check blind spots when backing up or changing lanes
Parties Who May Be Held Responsible for Your Injuries
There is a complex web of business relationships, contracts, and legal obligations behind every delivery truck on the road. Multiple parties may have contributed to your delivery truck accident, and each one could bear some degree of legal responsibility.
The Delivery Driver
If the driver was negligent behind the wheel, they can be held personally liable for your injuries. They may be at fault for running red lights or stop signs, following too closely, failing to yield the right of way, making illegal turns, or operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Delivery Company or Employer
Under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability, employers can be held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of employment. These companies may owe you compensation even if they did not directly cause the crash.
The delivery company may also be directly liable. This can occur when the company negligently hires a driver with a poor driving record, fails to provide adequate training, pressures drivers to meet unrealistic delivery quotas, or neglects to enforce safety policies.
Vehicle Owners or Leasing Companies
In some cases, the company operating the delivery service does not actually own the trucks in its fleet. If a separate entity owns or leases the vehicle, that party may share liability, especially if they failed to maintain the truck properly.
Third-Party Maintenance Providers
Many delivery companies outsource vehicle maintenance to outside contractors. If a mechanic or maintenance company performed negligent repairs or failed to address a known safety issue, they could be held responsible for accidents caused by mechanical failures.
Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers
Sometimes, a defective component, such as faulty brakes, defective tires, or a malfunctioning steering system, contributes to an accident. In these situations, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability laws.
Contact a Tennessee Truck Accident Attorney Today
Delivery truck accidents often involve a web of potentially liable parties. Determining who bears responsibility for your injuries requires a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash and the relationships between everyone involved.
A Tennessee delivery truck accident lawyer has the resources and experience to navigate these complex cases and fight for the full compensation you are owed. If you have been injured in a delivery truck accident, contact a personal injury attorney in Knoxville today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.