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As online shopping continues to surge, so does the presence of delivery trucks in California neighborhoods. These vehicles, from Amazon vans and FedEx trucks to local courier services, are now a constant fixture in residential areas, including Whittier. While convenient for consumers, the rise in delivery traffic has also led to increased crashes involving pedestrians, parked cars, bicyclists, and residents. When these accidents happen, victims are often left with serious injuries and many questions.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash involving a delivery truck, it’s essential to understand your rights under California law and what steps you can take to protect your health and legal interests. At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, our personal injury lawyers in Whittier can help.
Why Delivery Truck Accidents Happen in Residential Areas
Residential neighborhoods are not built to handle frequent stops, oversized vehicles, or rushed delivery schedules. Unfortunately, these factors combine to create a perfect storm of risk.
Delivery truck crashes often occur due to:
- Driver fatigue or distraction.
- Tight delivery windows are causing speeding.
- Improper backing or parking.
- Blocked driveways or blind intersections.
- Failure to see children, cyclists, or parked vehicles.
Unlike highway crashes, these incidents often occur at lower speeds, but they can still result in devastating injuries, especially to pedestrians or kids playing nearby.
Who Is Liable When a Delivery Truck Causes a Crash?
In California, liability for a delivery truck crash depends on the circumstances of the incident and the relationships between the driver, the vehicle owner, and any contracting companies.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The driver, if they were negligent or reckless.
- The delivery company, such as UPS, FedEx, or Amazon, if the driver was an employee.
- A third-party contractor, if the driver worked independently but under company policies or branding.
- Vehicle maintenance providers, if poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
Determining who is responsible can be complicated, especially when drivers are classified as independent contractors—a common practice in gig-economy services. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help untangle these relationships and identify all potentially liable parties.
What Damages Can Victims Recover?
If a delivery truck crash results in injury, victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills, including future care.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Property damage.
- Emotional distress.
- Wrongful death damages are awarded if a loved one is killed.
California law allows victims to pursue personal injury claims for damages caused by another party’s negligence. However, large delivery companies often have aggressive legal teams and insurance carriers working to minimize payouts, making it crucial to have skilled legal representation.
How Our Whittier Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, we understand the legal and insurance challenges that arise when delivery trucks cause harm in residential areas. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate delivery-related crashes, gather critical evidence, such as GPS data, dash cams, and dispatch logs, and pursue maximum compensation for our clients.
If you were injured by a delivery truck in your neighborhood, don’t face the legal process alone. Call (562) 280-2095 or contact our experienced Los Angeles County personal injury attorneys at Hanning & Sacchetto online for a free consultation to discuss your options and learn how we can help you move forward.