Middlesex County Delivery Driver Accident Attorney

In today’s day and age, delivery drivers crowd the road more than ever. That said, drivers for companies such as Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and the USPS are under immense pressure to make all of their stops timely. Unfortunately, this, among various other factors, can lead to accidents. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident caused by a delivery driver, contact a skilled Middlesex County personal injury attorney from Stathis & Leonardis today. We stand ready to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.

Common Causes of Delivery Driver Accidents

Delivery driver accidents can occur for several reasons, but some of the most common are as follows:

• Speeding: In their rush to complete deliveries on time, drivers often exceed speed limits, leading to loss of control and accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Handling GPS devices, communicating with dispatch, or managing multiple packages can divert a driver’s attention from the road.
• Fatigue: Long hours and demanding schedules can result in driver fatigue, significantly impairing reaction times and decision-making abilities.
• Improper Training: Some delivery drivers may not receive adequate training on safe driving practices or handling their specific vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Aggressive Driving: To meet tight deadlines, some drivers may engage in aggressive behaviors like tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and running red lights.
• Vehicle Maintenance Neglect: Delivery vehicles that are not regularly maintained can develop mechanical issues such as brake failures or tire blowouts, leading to accidents.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Inclement weather like rain, snow, or fog can exacerbate driving challenges, especially if drivers are not trained to handle such conditions safely.
• Failure to Adhere to Traffic Laws: Ignoring stop signs, yield signs, and other traffic signals in the rush to deliver can lead to collisions.

Who is Liable for a Delivery Driver Accident?

Determining liability in delivery driver accidents can be complex and often depends on the employment status of the driver. Generally, there are two primary scenarios:

• Employee Drivers: If the delivery driver is classified as an employee of the company (such as UPS or FedEx), the company is typically liable for the driver’s actions under the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior.” This means the employer is responsible for the negligence of its employees if the accident occurred within the scope of their employment.
• Independent Contractors: Many delivery services, particularly gig economy companies like Amazon Flex, classify their drivers as independent contractors. In these cases, liability can be more challenging to establish. Companies may argue that they are not responsible for the actions of independent contractors. However, it may still be possible to hold the company accountable if it can be proven that they exercised significant control over the driver’s work conditions or if there were negligence in hiring, training, or supervising the driver.

Additionally, third parties such as vehicle manufacturers (in cases of mechanical failure) or other negligent drivers involved in the accident may also bear liability.

Statute of Limitations in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means that you have two years from the date you were injured to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Failing to file within this timeframe typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation.

Contact a Delivery Driver Accident Attorney Today

For decades, Stathis & Leonardis has been a dedicated legal advocate for all those who’ve been injured due to the negligence of others here in New Jersey. If you’ve been harmed in an accident because of a delivery driver’s careless actions, our firm stands ready to fight for you. Contact Stathis & Leonardis to schedule your free initial consultation today.