Delivery vehicles are critical to the modern economy. The widespread transition to e-commerce and online shopping has created a boom in delivery demand. Customers want their packages as quickly as possible in many cases, which puts pressure on retailers and delivery service providers.
Some large companies now have independent delivery fleets. Mainstream delivery services, including the United States Postal Service (USPS), FedEx and UPS, have had to expand their fleets significantly to accommodate demand. There are more delivery drivers than ever on the roads, and they create a degree of risk for everyone in traffic.
While delivery drivers may have more practice at the wheel than many other motorists, they are also under significant pressure to be as efficient as possible. Their choices in traffic can increase the potential for a collision.
How do delivery drivers cause preventable crashes?
1. By parking unsafely
Delivery drivers often have a very small window of time budgeted for each physical package delivery. They are unlikely to circle a block multiple times looking for parking. If there isn’t an available space, they may double park or even leave their vehicle in the road with flashers engaged. Motorists can cause crashes by directly striking delivery vehicles in some cases. Other times, they may collide with one another as they maneuver to avoid the park delivery vehicle.
2. Unpredictable maneuvers
Many of the larger delivery companies once assigned dedicated routes to drivers. Current best practices involve drivers following vastly different routes on any given day. As such, drivers may be unfamiliar with the area where they must make deliveries. They may rely on navigation software and may complete unpredictable maneuvers, such as sudden turns, that lead to preventable crashes.
3. Fatigued driving
Many delivery professionals work exceptionally long shifts. They have to continue working until they deliver every package assigned to them for the day. Particularly if they have family responsibilities or a significant commute home after work, fatigue may affect their ability to drive safely. Drowsy drivers may fall asleep at the wheel. They have longer reaction times and struggle to make the right decisions in traffic.
When delivery drivers cause crashes, seeking compensation afterward can be a complicated matter. Reviewing the circumstances of a delivery vehicle collision with a skilled legal team can help injured people explore their options for financial relief after a wreck.