Naperville Rideshare And Delivery Accident Lawyers

Since 2005, our attorneys at Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers have recovered more than $150 million on behalf of Illinois injury victims and the families of wrongful death victims. Many personal injury claims stem from motor vehicle accidents, including crashes caused by commercial drivers.

If you were seriously injured by the driver of a delivery truck or an app-based delivery service, you are not alone. These types of crashes are increasingly common, and they often have complex legal aftermaths. On this page, you can learn more about delivery driver accidents. After reading, consider contacting our firm to schedule a free initial consultation about your legal options.

Delivery Truck Accidents Are All Too Common

Delivery trucks from companies like UPS, Amazon, Walmart, and Target are essential to keeping our economy moving. But while they play a vital role in delivering goods, these large trucks are also dangerous, and accidents are frequent.

Common causes of delivery truck accidents include:

• Inadequate vehicle maintenance: Failing to regularly inspect trucks and keep them in good working order can lead to malfunctions on the road.
• Driver fatigue: Long hours without adequate rest can impair a driver’s reaction time and decision-making.
• Negligent hiring and training: Companies do not always thoroughly vet or properly train their drivers. It presents a potential safety risk to hire someone who just obtained their commercial driver’s license or someone with a poor driving record.
• Understaffing: With too few drivers, existing staff may be overworked, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Pressure to meet delivery deadlines: Tight schedules can encourage drivers to speed or skip necessary breaks.

While a truck driver may be at the wheel during an accident, it’s important to consider the broader picture. The policies and practices of their employers can significantly contribute to these incidents. The company’s approach to safety and employee management often plays a crucial role.

The Popularity And Dangers Of Amateur Delivery And Transportation Services

In recent years, there has been a dramatic shift in American shopping and dining habits. Companies like Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, Postmates, Shipt and Instacart have promised to deliver everything to our doors, in record time, utilizing drivers who have little more training or experience than the average person.

While these services are convenient for consumers, they also come with major safety hazards to workers and the general public. Auto accidents involving app-based delivery services like those mentioned above are unfortunately common on Illinois roads.

App-based drivers often face unique pressures that can lead to road mishaps. Here are some common causes of these accidents:

• Inexperienced and untrained drivers: Many delivery drivers are new to professional driving and may lack the necessary skills to navigate complex traffic situations safely. Most app-based services offer no or very little training.
• Distractions caused by the app: Delivery apps require constant interaction, which can take a driver’s attention off the road.
• Unreasonably short delivery deadlines: Tight schedules can pressure drivers to speed, drive aggressively or take other risks to meet delivery deadlines.
• Frequent stops and starts: The nature of delivery work involves constant stopping and starting, which can increase the chance of rear-end collisions.
• Driving in unfamiliar areas: Delivery drivers often find themselves in unfamiliar neighborhoods at all times of day and night, which is difficult even with the help of GPS. This leads to hesitation and erratic driving, which increases the risk of a crash.
• Fatigue: Long hours without sufficient breaks can lead to driver fatigue, reducing reaction time and alertness.

If you were injured in an accident involving an app-based driver, it’s important to seek assistance from a seasoned personal injury lawyer. When you hire our firm, one of our skilled attorneys will immediately and thoroughly investigate the crash to determine the cause and who was at fault.

Who Can Be Held Liable For A Rideshare Or Delivery Truck Accident?

Claiming compensation after a delivery truck or rideshare accident seems like it should be straightforward. Unfortunately, that is often not the case. In light of the accident risks mentioned above, it is clear that employers should typically be held liable when their workers cause a crash. However, many of these companies have taken steps to shield themselves from liability. The employment status of the driver in your accident can be a deciding factor in the company’s liability.

Liability When The Driver Is An Employee Vs. An Independent Contractor

Imagine a typical pizza restaurant that offers delivery. In many cases, delivery drivers are employees of the restaurant. When a driver causes an accident, their employer can be held jointly liable. The same would be true for drivers of certain package delivery services like UPS.

By contrast, it is more difficult to sue companies like Amazon, DoorDash, GrubHub, Uber Eats and FedEx. This is because their drivers are not considered employees but rather “independent contractors.” While it may seem insignificant, this classification allows these companies to deny workers certain benefits and disavow liability when their drivers cause a crash.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have no options if you were in an accident with a driver working as an independent contractor. Such drivers are still required to carry insurance, which could provide some compensation. Additionally, a skilled attorney like those at our firm can sometimes make an argument that, despite their classification, the driver in your accident was acting as an employee.

How Can A Naperville Rideshare And Delivery Accident Lawyer Help You?

If you’ve been in an accident with a delivery driver, you may be entitled to various types of legal damages. But getting the right compensation can be tough. Many victims struggle to get what they deserve without legal guidance.

When you contact Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced attorneys will fight to maximize your available compensation for damages that include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property loss and more. We will also handle all communications and negotiations with insurers and the at-fault parties so that you can focus on taking care of yourself and your loved ones.

Most cases settle out of court, but we are fully prepared to take your case to trial if you do not receive a fair settlement offer. Whether at the negotiation table or in the courtroom, our firm has an impeccable success record on behalf of our clients.

Contact Us Today For A Free Case Evaluation

From our office in Naperville, Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers serves clients in DuPage County and surrounding areas of Illinois. We are pleased to offer free initial consultations to all prospective clients so that you can tell us your story and learn how we can help. To get started, call 630-848-9294 or reach out online.