Greene & Phillips: Delivery Driver & Commercial Vehicle Accidents

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - With online shopping and holiday deliveries increasing this time of year, our roads are full of delivery vans, 18-wheelers, and commercial vehicles. And when one of these vehicles is involved in a crash, the injuries can be serious, and the legal process is often more complicated than a regular car accident. David Greene from Greene & Phillips Injury Lawyers joined us to explain what people need to know.

Why are accidents with delivery drivers or commercial vehicles often more serious? Commercial and delivery vehicles are heavier, they take longer to stop, and they’re on the road for long hours. Drivers are often under pressure to stay on schedule or meet delivery quotas. When one of these vehicles collides with a regular passenger car, the injuries can be significant just because of the size and weight difference.

What makes these cases different from a typical car accident? With a regular car crash, you’re usually dealing with just the other driver and their insurance company. But with a delivery truck or commercial vehicle, there may be multiple parties involved: the driver, the company they work for, a parent corporation, a vehicle maintenance company, or even a third-party logistics provider. That means more insurance companies and more investigators working to protect those businesses, not the injured person.

Do delivery companies keep any records that can help someone’s case? Yes, and this is why acting quickly is important. Commercial vehicles often have GPS tracking, dash cameras, electronic driving logs, and maintenance records. These can show things like speeding, driver fatigue, or lack of vehicle upkeep. But those records aren’t kept forever. If a lawyer isn’t involved early, that information can sometimes disappear.

What about situations where a delivery driver is injured themselves? Do they have rights? Absolutely. If they’re on the job, they may qualify for workers’ compensation, but if another driver caused the crash, they may also have a personal injury claim against that driver. So sometimes there are two avenues of recovery: workers’ comp and a third-party claim.

What should someone do if they’re hit by a commercial vehicle or delivery driver? The first step is always to call 911 and get medical attention. If it’s safe, take photos of the vehicles, the company logo on the truck or van, and get witness info. Don’t argue with the driver on the scene. And before speaking with any insurance company, especially one representing a large corporation, call a local personal injury lawyer who handles commercial vehicle cases, like the lawyers at Greene & Phillips.

How can someone get in touch with you if they’ve been involved in one of these accidents? Just stop by our office at 51 North Florida Street, no appointment needed. You can also call or text us anytime at 251-300-2000, or visit us online at www.greenephillips.com . And as always, if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.