Union County Delivery Driver Accident Lawyers

Every day, thousands of delivery drivers take to the streets of New Jersey, racing against the clock to meet deadlines, deliver packages, and keep our world running. Most days go as planned. Then suddenly, one doesn’t. In a matter of seconds, a routine delivery run can turn into a serious accident that leaves you with painful injuries, medical bills, and a future full of uncertainty. At Lee Law Firm, LLC, our Union County auto accident lawyers understand how delivery driver accidents happen and how to help when they do. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Common Causes of Delivery Driver Accidents

Delivery drivers face constant pressure to work quickly, but unfortunately, that pressure often leads to mistakes. Some of the most common causes of delivery driver accidents that we see are as follows:

• Distracted Driving: Many delivery drivers rely on phones, GPS systems, or apps to track deliveries, often taking their eyes off the road at critical moments.
• Speeding: Tight delivery deadlines push many drivers to exceed speed limits, endangering everyone around them.
• Fatigue: Drivers working long hours without proper rest experience slower reaction times and reduced focus, which often results in collisions.
• Unsafe Lane Changes or Turns: Constant navigation through neighborhoods and unfamiliar areas can lead to sudden and unpredictable maneuvers.
• Improperly Loaded Vehicles: Packages stacked unevenly or beyond capacity can shift, making vehicles unstable and therefore harder to control.

Determining Liability

Determining liability in a delivery driver accident can be tricky, mainly because of how these companies structure their operations. Many delivery drivers are not traditional employees; they’re independent contractors. That means the company may try to avoid responsibility by claiming the driver acted on their own.

For example, major delivery services such as Amazon, DoorDash, and Instacart often classify drivers as contractors. In those cases, their insurance policies might not cover the accident unless certain conditions are met. However, if a company exerts significant control over how drivers perform their work, such as by setting routes, delivery times, or performance metrics, the line between contractor and employee becomes blurry.

In other cases, liability may extend beyond the driver and company. For example:

• Vehicle owners may be liable if they allowed an unsafe driver to operate their vehicle
• Manufacturers can be responsible for defective brakes, tires, or steering systems
• Maintenance providers could share fault if poor repairs or skipped inspections contributed
• Other motorists might also bear some responsibility if their negligence set off a chain reaction

How to Prove Your Case

In cases involving delivery driver negligence, strong evidence makes all the difference. The more documentation you have, the better your chances of securing full compensation. The following types of evidence can be especially useful:

• Police Reports: These provide official documentation of what happened and often include witness statements or citations issued at the scene.
• Photos and Videos: Images of the crash site, vehicle damage, and your injuries help paint a clear picture of what happened.
• Surveillance or Dashcam Footage: Many delivery vehicles are equipped with cameras, and nearby businesses may also have recorded the collision.
• Medical Records: Proof of diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing limitations helps establish the extent of your injuries.
• App or GPS Data: Delivery platforms track routes, timestamps, and driver activity, which can confirm whether the driver was working at the time the accident occurred.
• Vehicle Maintenance Logs: Evidence that a delivery company neglected to upkeep can help prove negligence.

File Your Claim On Time

If you’ve been injured in a delivery driver accident, you must act within the statute of limitations. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, most personal injury lawsuits in New Jersey must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Missing that deadline can mean losing your right to recover compensation entirely.

Contact Our Springfield, NJ Delivery Driver Accident Lawyers

Being hit by a delivery driver can leave you with lasting injuries, high medical expenses, and more questions than answers. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Contact the dedicated Union County delivery driver accident lawyers here at Lee Law Firm, LLC for a free case evaluation today.