Waiting weeks for an online package to arrive is no longer the norm. More than half of retailers offer same-day-delivery services, and consumers are used to getting their purchases fast. E-commerce giant Amazon expects to deliver more than one billion orders during the holidays, and the demand for quick delivery is higher than ever. The company has more than 275,000 drivers nationwide, and drivers are expected to deliver up to 300 packages daily. Amazon isn’t the only company that’s busy during the holidays. Shipping carriers like FedEx also ship billions of packages during the last months of the year. Delivery workers can lose their jobs if they don’t meet the guidelines set by the company. As a result, there’s an incentive for drivers to work as quickly as possible — which can be dangerous for other people and pedestrians on the road.
Delivery driving is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country because of the conditions they face while working. When workers feel pressured to meet quotas, they might drive more aggressively. They may avoid taking needed breaks in hopes of delivering all of their packages. Delivery drivers are also particularly susceptible to driving distractions. They rely on GPS-enabled devices to determine what’s next on the delivery route, making it difficult to focus fully on the road. Drivers working long hours are more likely to be tired behind the wheel, and drowsy driving can be as risky as intoxicated driving. If you are involved in an accident with a delivery vehicle, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney immediately. Shipping carriers will do everything they can to dodge liability and rarely offer you a fair settlement when you first approach them.
Delivery Truck Accident Statistics
Amazon delivery accidents are likely underreported, and the company works to keep it that way. Amazon doesn’t publicly share how many fatal accidents have involved its delivery drivers. Other carriers like USPS extensively train drivers before allowing them on the road; in comparison, Amazon only requires three days of training for its drivers. The company uses subcontractors to deliver its packages, which makes it easier to skirt liability because the workers aren’t official Amazon employees. Investigative news outlet ProPublica found 60 accidents that involved an Amazon driver and caused severe injury or fatalities over four years, but the actual number is significantly higher. In Ohio, where large truck crashes are unfortunately common, delivery truck accidents occur frequently.
Statistics show FedEx drivers are involved in almost 1,000 car accidents nationwide annually, and UPS drivers were involved in more than 2,300 car crashes in two years. Some notable delivery driver crashes have happened in Ohio this year. In January, an Amazon delivery driver in Solon was arrested for drunk driving after hitting a car. The driver failed field sobriety tests after striking a pickup van. In February, a FedEx driver in a semi-truck hit an Ohio Department of Transportation vehicle belonging to a work crew. No one was seriously injured.
What To Do If You Are In An Ohio Delivery Truck Accident
After a delivery truck accident, you should call an Ohio trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible. If a regular vehicle causes a car accident, you’ll exchange insurance information with the driver and file a claim. But Amazon and FedEx have virtually limitless resources to defend against personal injury claims, and it’s difficult to win if you’re facing these companies alone.
The first step after a delivery truck accident is to call the police and get a police report detailing what happened. Don’t volunteer an apology or admit blame even if you think you contributed to the accident. You should also seek medical attention on the day of the crash and document any potential injuries. Sometimes, you may not realize you’ve been hurt until the shock wears off days later.
An Ohio personal injury attorney can help you determine the facts of your case. Many delivery trucks have logs that track employees, and some are equipped with cameras. A lawyer can request this information and interact with the shipping company on your behalf. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash, you may be able to sue the delivery company for past and future medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost earnings. If you’re injured in a delivery truck accident over the holidays, call Murray & Murray at 800-624-3009 or contact us online. Our experienced truck accident attorneys are here to help.
Partner at Murray & Murray Co., L.P.A.
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