How Delivery Drivers Cause Accidents

 Posted on September 14, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Delivery drivers go a long way toward making our lives more convenient. With everyone back to their post-pandemic busy schedules, you may not always have time to physically go to a store to search for the things you need. Using services like Amazon or UPS and FedEx can be much easier than driving around town looking for an item. The same is true for food deliveries - many families do not have the time or energy to cook every night. Parents can simply order dinner from their cell phones rather than loading young children into the car to go to a restaurant. 

However, there is no guarantee that all delivery drivers are as skilled behind the wheel as one would hope. These jobs often have high turnover, and drivers are often forced to make an unreasonable amount of stops in a short time. If you or your child have been injured by a delivery driver, you may be entitled to compensation. 

How Delivery Schedules Create Unsafe Driving Conditions

One of the main reasons that delivery drivers become involved in accidents is that they are always in a rush. National delivery companies often set schedules to which drivers cannot safely adhere. Amazon delivery drivers, as well as those who deliver for companies like DoorDash and GrubHub, are typically independent contractors who are paid per delivery, rather than hourly. This scheme can push drivers to make as many deliveries as possible as quickly as possible. 

Drivers in a rush are dangerous drivers. Lightspeed delivery requires lightspeed driving. This is an even more significant concern when you realize that delivery drivers spend the bulk of their time on residential streets. This means that while scrambling to get from house to house rapidly, delivery drivers are dodging children who are playing outside, cars backing out of their driveways, people walking their pets, and anyone else out enjoying the neighborhood. 

A lack of appropriate training for drivers is also a safety issue. For national agencies like FedEx and UPS, their high-volume delivery schedule often leads to high turnover rates, meaning that many of the drivers you see operating their large trucks are inexperienced. For companies who rely on independent contractors using their personal vehicles to make deliveries, there may be no training at all related to safe driving. 

If you or your child has been injured by a delivery driver, contact an attorney right away. 

Call a Dallas County Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. is skilled at holding delivery drivers or their companies liable for any injuries they cause. Our experienced Dallas delivery vehicle accident attorneys will conduct a complete investigation into the circumstances of your accident. Call 214-221-5800 for a free consultation. 

Source:

https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-documents-show-how-amazon-chose-speed-over-safety-in-building-its-delivery-network