Is your neighborhood at risk for delivery truck accidents?
Probably. Schools will be back in session soon, and as teachers head back to the classroom, parents gear up for another year of carpool and daily walks to and from the bus stop. Unfortunately, this year they have an additional worry: delivery trucks. Delivery trucks and delivery vans are dangerous for both pedestrians and other motorists. While drivers train rigorously for their job (in most cases), when dealing with a dense pedestrian presence, unpredictable children, and distracted parents, accidents are a formidable risk on Tampa’s residential roads.
Why?
Delivery truck accidents are on the rise.
Delivering items directly to the consumer’s front door has gone from a luxury to an everyday commodity. While Amazon led the way, almost all stores offer some form of virtual purchasing and scheduled delivery options for customers today.
What does that mean? More delivery trucks on our local roads. That means more delivery truck accidents.
Truck driving is one of the fastest-growing industries in the US workforce, with reports showing an expected 12% growth by 2028. Unfortunately, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) delivery truck drivers also carry a significant risk of injuries due to transportation incidents.
Many delivery trucks experience collisions in neighborhoods.
As large vehicles, delivery trucks possess several factors making them risky to people, pets, and property. Things that make accidents more likely with these vehicles include:
- size (and blind spots)
- weight
- longer required stopping times
- longer necessary stopping distances
- frequent stops
- tight schedule with a delivery quota
- inexperienced drivers
A delivery truck can not stop “on a dime” like a smaller passenger vehicle can in an emergency. If a child steps out in front of a moving truck or walks behind a delivery van preparing to back up, the situation can be deadly. Drivers can’t see 360 degrees around their truck at all times. Today, many delivery trucks and vans have cameras and technology that mitigate this issue, but not all are updated. Some of the most common delivery truck accidents in residential areas are:
Pedestrian Collisions Near Bus Stops and Homes
Once school is back in session, children will wait around bus stops or in front of their homes during early morning hours. In the afternoons, droves of kids will be dropped off at these bus stops and begin the walk toward home. With so much foot traffic, it’s not surprising that pedestrian collisions are a common issue with delivery trucks in residential neighborhoods. Drivers distracted by GPS systems, reading package addresses, or calculating their quota can be a deadly combination with crowded bus stops or neighborhood streets. This issue isn’t necessarily new. For years delivery trucks have posed a risk to children on foot or bikes in their neighborhoods, like this 2010 case in Palm Beach, Florida.
Collisions with Other Vehicles
Delivery drivers must navigate busy neighborhoods where people park along the street, residents frequently pull into (or out of) driveways, and stop signs are plentiful. For delivery trucks with limited visibility, less-than-stellar turn radiuses, and inexperienced drivers, these conditions frequently lead to collisions with other vehicles in neighborhoods.
Delivery trucks come in all sizes, but they can all be risky in residential neighborhoods.
Property Damage
While not as dangerous, property damage is another risk of delivery trucks in our local neighborhoods. Many homeowners across the United States have reported damage to garage doors, mailboxes, vehicles, lawns, garden beds, and more. Some have even experienced significant damage to the exterior of their homes!
How can Tampa residents protect themselves from delivery truck accidents?
What are the best ways to protect yourself, your family, and your neighborhood from delivery truck accidents?
Awareness and education!
Make your children aware of the dangers of delivery trucks as they start school this year, and teach them to watch carefully for these vehicles, or any vehicle, when they’re away from home. They should always:
- Look twice before crossing any street, even in their own neighborhood. Accidents can happen at the end of the driveway.
- Use sidewalks when they’re available. Walking on the street should be a last resort.
- Never walk directly behind a delivery truck parked in someone’s driveway. Cross in front of the truck if possible.
Brooks Law Group stands for victims of delivery truck accidents.
When delivery truck accidents happen, families don’t always know where to turn. Is the driver at fault? The company for which the driver delivers? Having a lawyer who understands Florida law and how it pertains to delivery trucks is vital. We are Tampa’s top lawyers for truck accidents, car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and pedestrian collisions. When you’re facing the stress and grief that comes with an injury or fatality after a commercial vehicle accident, you don’t need to tackle your legal concerns alone. We stand for victims when they can’t, providing professional and personal legal services that put our clients first.
At Brooks, our lawyers operate with a no-risk policy, giving victims free consultations, and if you choose us to represent you, there is no payment unless we win. We fight for the justice you deserve and the compensation you need to move forward. Call us to schedule your appointment!
Victims of delivery truck accidents always Look to Brooks.
