It’s the new normal. Delivery drivers criss-cross our cities and towns 24/7 to supply us with almost anything. You can get a burger and fries brought to any address in Turlock. Amazon and Wal-Mart cover almost any other item we could need. You don’t even have to leave home to pick up groceries.
The price of that convenience is the increasing number of drivers and vehicles traveling our Central Valley neighborhoods.
Delivery Drivers on the Rise
According to 2020 numbers, sales for meal delivery services have more than doubled over the first half of the year when compared to 2019 figures over the same period. The customer requests the order, but it’s still up to these companies to hire careful drivers and keep their vehicles inspected for safety. It’s an important fact to remember if you are ever in a crash involving a delivery driver.
The Old and the New
Traditional delivery services like pizza places or the neighborhood grocery store have been delivering food for years. We’ve become accustomed to the car zipping by with the pizza sign on its roof. Or the grocery store on the corner getting the week’s groceries to the kitchen counters in the neighborhood.
But today it’s all about the app. Download it and start ordering from just about any restaurant or grocery store in your town, all from your couch.
This is great! The problem is, sooner or later, we have to get back out on the streets, and now we have to navigate our way through all these delivery vehicles. Unfortunately, this means accidents and injuries, and depending on the company, hopefully, there will be enough coverage to help you get back what you lost.
Some of the delivery services that operate in the Central Valley are:
Delivery Driver Accident Liability
California law requires all motorists to have insurance so If you get hit by a delivery driver, the insurance will cover your injuries and financial losses. However, since California has the lowest bodily injury requirement at $15,000 bodily Injury/$30,000 total for each accident (tied with a few other states as the lowest) then it’s possible that there won’t be enough funds to cover your losses.
At Maison Law, we understand these laws, and we also know that each of these companies could be liable for the damages themselves depending on the circumstances. Don’t leave it to chance, don’t rely on the insurance adjuster who doesn’t know you and doesn’t work for you. Rather trust someone who knows the laws, understands how to work in the system and will stand with you to get the compensation the law says you deserve.
Delivery Driver Injuries
Many times when someone gets hurt in an accident, they wonder if their type of injury is going to be covered. Will they take my pain and physical difficulties seriously? Will my needs be met, or will I just get lost in the system?
At Maison Law, we’ve helped victims with all sorts of injuries get treatment, the rental car, the payments from missed days of work and any other compensation required by the law. We do understand what you’re going through, and we will stand with you if you get injured.
Some of the injuries that we’ve seen that often require focus and attention to the needs of the victim are:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Crushed Vertebrae
- Broken Bones
- Compound Fractures
If you’ve suffered any one of these injuries or were injured in any way by someone else’s negligence, you need to speak to an attorney right away. One that will listen to your side of the story and then fashion a strategy to help you get through the next stage without having to worry about the compensation, the insurance company or their lawyers.
What To Do If You Are Hit By A Delivery Vehicle
- Call 911. Two reasons for this. First, you need to seek medical attention. Even if at first you don’t feel you are injured, you may have undetected injuries that can surface later, leaving you at risk for worse injury or even death. Second, it’s critical to get a police report on record as soon as possible. As time passes, details and circumstances of the accident are harder to prove or document.
- Collect Information and take photos. Take photos of your vehicle’s damage, the surrounding areas and any other markers related to the accident. Get photos of the truck and its license plate with any company information printed on the side of the truck.
- Call your insurance company Report the accident to your insurance company, but don’t speak with the trucker’s insurance. Don’t sign anything from either insurance company and don’t allow yourself to be recorded until you speak with your attorney.
- Call your attorney The sooner you have a trusted and knowledgeable attorney at your side, the better. Investigations need to start as soon after the accident as possible. Because federal and California law applies to the liability of the truck owner or operator, your attorney needs to know how to determine and prove liability, so your rights are protected.
Contact a Turlock Accident Lawyer
A traffic accident isn’t a battle between you and just another driver. It is between you and a negligent driver’s insurance company and their highly paid lawyers. You need an attorney in your corner, making sure your future is secured in the aftermath of an accident you didn’t cause.
After an accident involving a serious injury, reach out to an experienced Turlock Car Accident Lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer to get honest advice and personalized attention. Contact Maison Law today to learn more about your legal options.
