You’re put at risk every time you head out onto the road. Sometimes the threat comes from other people who are simply distracted, while other times you might find yourself in close proximity to a drunk driver who can’t’ maintain his lane or abide by traffic signals. But a growing problem on our roadways is dangerous driving by delivery truck drivers.
You’ve probably seen countless delivery trucks zooming through your neighborhood, and the frequency with which they appear is likely to increase significantly as the holidays approach. Although you may not realize it, these trucks can pose a significant risk to motorists, and for a number of reasons.
Let’s take a closer look at why these delivery trucks are so problematic for other drivers and pedestrians:
- Abrupt vehicle movements: Delivery drivers are frequently looking for their next stop. They may be unfamiliar with their route, too, a combination which can lead to jarring and unexpected vehicle movements. A delivery driver may veer his truck onto a side street without much notice, or he might slam on the brakes once he reaches a delivery address.
- Distraction: As they try to reach their next destination, delivery drivers are often seen looking at navigation devices and addresses rather than the road. This can cause them to swerve into oncoming traffic, blow past a stop sign, or fail to yield to a pedestrian, any of which can lead to a devastating accident that has significant ramifications for those involved.
- Improper reversing: Delivery trucks are usually difficult to maneuver. Although adequate training should help alleviate the risks associated with reversing such a big vehicle, delivery drivers oftentimes just throw their truck into gear and hit the gas with too little regard for their surroundings. This can cause pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers to be taken by surprise, leaving them with serious injuries.
- Failure to use a parking brake: In some instances, delivery drivers fail to properly park their trucks when they’re delivering a package. This can lead to the truck slipping out of gear and rolling away. This can result in a massive accident, especially if the truck rolls into an intersection.
- Improperly secured packages: Perhaps in an attempt to save time and energy, delivery drivers sometimes leave the back or side door of their truck open while they drive to their next delivery location. This can be dangerous, especially when the packages within the vehicle haven’t been properly secured. Here, packages may fall out of the truck, forcing nearby vehicles to make evasive maneuvers. These actions may lead to a multi-vehicle accident.
- Lack of training: Although delivery companies are supposed to ensure that their drivers are adequately trained to maintain safety, sometimes these efforts fall short. This can leave dangerous drivers on the road operating massive vehicles that can leave devastation in their wake when improperly driven.
Have you been injured in a delivery truck accident?
Given the size of most delivery trucks, an accident involving one of these vehicles can cause a lot of damage. If you’ve been involved in one of these wrecks, then you know that all too well.
Even though you might be struggling to find a way to cope with your injuries and the financial implications of your accident, there are steps that you can take to try to right the situation as much as possible. That may include taking legal action in the form of a personal injury lawsuit.