Houston Delivery Truck Accident Attorney

delivery van on the road

Home delivery is more popular than ever, which means more trucks and delivery vehicles are on the road making more trips and getting into more accidents.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, roughly 6,000 commercial vehicle accidents occur in Harris County annually, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries. Many of these people are left with long-term medical conditions, expensive bills, lost wages, and other serious losses, often through no fault of their own.

At The Callahan Law Firm, we’ve seen first-hand how devastating delivery truck accidents can be, which is why we want to help injured people pursue the financial compensation they deserve. For more than 25 years, our law firm has represented injured Houstonians and Texans like you, successfully securing tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on their behalf. Let us put our experience and skill to work for you.

If you need help, don’t wait. Contact us online or call The Callahan Law Firm for a free consultation with a Houston delivery truck accident lawyer.

Types of Delivery Trucks and Common Carriers

Delivery trucks are generally smaller than their semi-truck and tractor-trailer cousins, but they are still large, heavy vehicles that can cause significant injuries and damage in a collision. Some of the most common types of trucks that are used for deliveries include:

  • Box trucks
  • Flatbed trucks
  • Large vans
  • Refrigerator trucks
  • Furniture trucks
  • Water trucks
  • Mail trucks
  • Pickup trucks
  • Customized vehicles

Different delivery services have different types of vehicles in their fleets. For example, Amazon commonly uses large vans, while carriers like UPS use larger box trucks to make deliveries.

Common carriers on Houston streets include:

  • UPS (United Parcel Service)
  • FedEx (Federal Express)
  • USPS (United States Postal Service)
  • Amazon
  • DHL

Appliance and furniture retailers, moving companies, floral shops, dry cleaners, catering companies, and others commonly rely on vans and delivery trucks to offer their goods and services to Houston area residents as well.

Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents

Delivery drivers are under enormous pressure to deliver goods on schedule and as quickly as possible. The push to be the fastest and most efficient can cause problems for motorists who share the road with negligent delivery truck drivers. Additionally, the constant stop-and-go movements of a delivery truck, paired with a driver often looking down at their phone or GPS, can also cause accidents.

Examples of common causes of delivery truck accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Stop-and-go driving
  • Speeding to keep on schedule
  • Stopping the delivery vehicle in an unsafe location
  • Unsecured or shifting cargo
  • Fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Inadequate driver training
  • The hiring of drivers with unsafe driving histories

Delivery Truck Accident Injuries

Delivery trucks may be smaller than semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, but they are still large vehicles, often weighing over 25,000 pounds. These delivery trucks can cause immense damage to smaller passenger vehicles and SUVs, which may only weigh 3,000 pounds – not to mention motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Delivery truck accidents can result in severe injuries including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Orthopedic injuries to joints such as shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Internal organ damage

These and other injuries can have wide-ranging effects on a person’s health, career, and day-to-day life, to say nothing of their bank account. But if a negligent delivery truck driver has injured you, you could have the right to compensation under the law.

Compensation for Delivery Truck Accident Claims

Being injured in a delivery truck accident can profoundly impact your life. Beyond the injuries, you may face significant economic challenges during your recovery, especially if you can’t work. Thankfully, people hurt by negligent delivery truck drivers in Houston and throughout Texas have options for pursuing compensation for their losses.

The value of your delivery truck accident claim depends on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Generally speaking, accident victims can seek compensation for losses in the past and future, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished future earning capacity
  • Mental and emotional anguish
  • Physical impairment
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage

After an accident and before you talk to the delivery company or its insurance company, it is essential that you first talk to an experienced Houston delivery truck accident attorney.  At The Callahan Law Firm, we have been representing people in delivery truck accidents for over 25 years and have a history of success. Our attorneys can discuss your claim with you, answer your questions, and help you get the justice you deserve.

Who Is Liable for My Delivery Truck Accident?

The delivery truck driver may not be the only one liable for the crash. Other parties may potentially be responsible for compensating you. Some of the other entities that may be responsible, in whole or in part, for the delivery truck crash and the harm caused include the following:

  • The company that employed the truck driver, such as UPS or FedEx
  • The truck’s owner, if different from the delivery company
  • The shipping broker, which is the company that assists shippers with freight ready to haul by finding carriers qualified to haul the load
  • Repair and maintenance company who performed work on the truck
  • The manufacturer of the truck or its parts if a defect contributed to the crash

Establishing liability for a delivery truck accident can be complicated, and determining all responsible parties requires experience and skill in these types of cases.

Truck drivers who deliver items for companies like UPS and FedEx are generally employees of those carriers. When those drivers are involved in an accident while on the job, their employer or their employer’s insurer should be held responsible for compensating accident victims.

However, some companies like Amazon often work with independent contractors or smaller delivery services. Independent contractors are people who deliver packages on Amazon’s behalf but are not technically considered Amazon employees. Third parties generally hire these delivery drivers. This business strategy attempts to limit a company such as Amazon’s exposure to liability when truck accidents happen.

Contact Our Experienced Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers Today

At The Callahan Law Firm, we know going head-to-head with a major delivery truck company can be intimidating. We strongly believe people hurt in delivery truck accidents should be compensated fairly for their injuries. That is why we aggressively pursue claims to hold negligent companies and drivers accountable.

Contact The Callahan Law Firm today for a free consultation. Our Houston delivery truck accident lawyers can review your case and lay out your options for seeking compensation.