Long Beach Delivery Van Accident Attorneys
Pursuing Damages Against Major Delivery Companies in Long Beach
E-commerce shopping and on-demand delivery has allowed numerous online businesses to rise up and reach consumers in new ways. As a result, consumers now expect every service to offer expedited delivery in less than a week, no matter what they are ordering. To meet these demands, Amazon, Fed-Ex, UPS, and USPS operate a maze of delivery routes across the United States and have a strong hold on consumers in California. Despite these extensive delivery networks, drivers are required to deliver packages at a record pace and can easily injure a pedestrian or another driver along their route.
If you or a loved one was injured because of a negligent delivery driver or company, you may be eligible for compensation. But to ensure you receive a fair shot at collecting damages from a liability policy, you need the assistance of the Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV. Get in touch with a skilled Long Beach delivery van accident attorney by calling (562) 901-0840 or toll-free at (888) 454-5569.
Negligence in Long Beach Delivery Accidents
The outrageous demand for expedited shipping, in addition to Amazon Prime’s notorious two-day service, places an extensive amount of pressure on delivery drivers to complete orders on time. While the majority of distribution is handled by local vendors, distribution centers, and semi-trucks, the most important step in a delivery route is the “last mile.” Delivery companies pride themselves on delivery orders on time and maximizing the amount of deliveries completed in the last mile.
Due to this high pressure, delivery van drivers can be pushed to driver recklessly in order to fulfill customers’ expectations. This careless behavior can take the form of:
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs at an intersection
- Driving through crosswalks when pedestrians have stepped off the curb
- Swerving in and out of traffic
- Improperly securing cargo
- Speeding in residential areas
- Sharp turns or “California stops”
Alongside driver error, their parent companies can also be negligent. These companies succeed based on their ability to complete orders on time or early, meaning they are just as likely to rush orders. Negligence on the part of a delivery company can include:
- Overloading vehicles with packages
- Pressuring drivers to work overtime or drive fatigued
- Hiring inexperienced or unqualified drivers
- Hiring drivers with previous traffic violations
- Failing to maintain vehicle repairs or replace defective parts
How ever your injuries were caused, negligent drivers and companies should be held accountable for the suffering they cause through an auto accident claim. Luckily, major delivery companies have extensive insurance policies in the event of an accident, and you may be able to file a claim against them.
Delivery Company Liability Policies
While both Fed-Ex and UPS have liability policies that reach a maximum of $1,000,000 per incident, Amazon does not currently offer any form of insurance in the event of an accident. Instead, this gigantic corporation has denied any liability for injuries caused by their drivers, placing the fault on the contract company they employed to complete the delivery. As a result, victims of Amazon delivery accidents can only pursue claims against the contract company, not Amazon directly.
In contrast, holding USPS accountable for a delivery accident is another complicated matter unto itself. Because USPS is a government entity, its workers and vehicles are protected from litigation due to sovereign immunity. However, the Federal Tort Claim Act allows victims to pursue a claim against the postal service if the victim:
- Suffered an injury by a federal employee (postal delivery driver);
- The employee was performing their duties (delivering a package);
- The employee acted negligently (speeding, illegal turns, etc.); and
- The employee’s negligence caused the injury.
To file a claim against a government agency in California, you must follow strict procedures, including filing your claim within six months of the date of the accident. If you or someone you loved were injured by a negligent USPS driver, do not hesitate to contact The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV to start a claim as soon as possible.
Advocating for Fair and Proper Compensation
Pursuing a claim against a major delivery company or a government agency requires an extensive knowledge of the California legal system, in addition to the drive to pursue all forms of evidence. To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after a delivery van accident, you need a Long Beach auto accident attorney who is not afraid to take on large corporations and their insurance company. Get the representation you need after a serious injury by contacting The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV by calling (562) 901-0840 or toll-free at (888) 454-5569.