Delivery trucks have always been a part of Washington, D.C. However, with the advent of Amazon and online shopping, delivery trucks are seemingly on every corner. They deliver office supplies, groceries, clothes, and anything else you can imagine. As they become ubiquitous, accidents are inevitable. Thus, a DC delivery truck accident lawyer is vital to ensure all accident victims can get justice for their injuries. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing delivery truck drivers and victims of negligent delivery truck drivers alike. Our job is to defend the rights of victims. Navigating the complexities of an insurance claim is difficult alone. You may try negotiating your settlement or even take your case to trial. Wherever you fall on the truck accident case timeline, we can assist.
Our DC delivery truck accident lawyers are well-versed in the legal landscape immediately following this accident. As a delivery truck driver, you may have procedures in place within your company. And if you are a victim of a truck driver in DC, you may be wary of going up against a titan like Amazon or Whole Foods. However, we want to assure you that we have successfully made claims against these companies countless times. We have a proven track record of negligent del success. Whichever side of the accident you are on, we provide free consultations to all accident victims so you can pursue justice and seek the compensation you deserve.
A DC delivery truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights following a delivery truck accident. Whether you are the driver in an accident or the victim of a driver’s actions, your rights are almost the same. We are committed to ensuring you are fully aware of your rights and the available legal options. The key distinctions lie in who you can sue and the available insurance coverages.
As a delivery truck driver, your vehicle is likely larger than most others on the road. Nevertheless, you may still suffer severe injury from a truck accident in DC. While you may be rear-ended, you can also get into a head-on collision. As DC delivery truck accident lawyers, we understand first-hand that you can still jostle your spine and suffer soreness for months. We also appreciate you may no longer be able to work because of your accident. If you go to the emergency room following the accident or receive follow-up care, you may also have mounting medical bills to cover. While your employer may act like they are on your side, that is not always the case.
As a driver in a delivery truck accident, it is critical to understand your rights. While you may be entitled to worker’s compensation, you can also make a claim against the negligent driver. This claim can help you obtain compensation to cover your medical expenses, your time missed from work due to your injuries, and even compensate you for the pain you were forced to undergo due to someone else’s negligent conduct.
As a victim of a delivery truck driver, your injuries may be more severe. This is due to the sheer size and weight difference between a loaded delivery truck and most other vehicles on the road. This makes consulting with a DC delivery truck accident lawyer all the more important. Understanding your rights against a delivery truck driver is critical. You may wonder if you can sue Amazon if it is an Amazon delivery truck. Does that mean you can sue them for millions of dollars? The answer is straightforward. While you can sue them for millions of dollars, you likely only will recover what your damages are worth. In a motor vehicle accident case, we typically seek compensatory damages. In Washington, D.C., that is the only remedy the law supports for negligence.
Of course, if the delivery truck driver acted intentionally, you may seek punitive damages, and the value of your case may be substantially more. Amazon also may be vicariously liable if the driver is an employee of Amazon and not an independent contractor. Moreover, the driver must act within the course and scope of his employment. That means the mere fact that he struck your vehicle while driving an Amazon delivery truck does not mean Amazon is vicariously liable. Instead, the driver must have been furthering his employer’s interests somehow. In this context, he must have been on a route to deliver or pick up goods.
After a delivery truck accident, there are three things you can remember to do.
Safety always comes first. While this will not necessarily help you in your later legal proceeding, if you have suffered injuries that may be life-threatening, it is imperative to receive the necessary treatment for those injuries immediately. While critical evidence may later be lost, none are as important as your health and safety. Even if you do not require immediate medical attention, get to the roadside and be safe from the traffic flow. While you are exchanging information, you do not want to be in a vulnerable position, which could only worsen the situation.
Once it is safe to do so and you determine you do not need immediate medical attention, document the scene. This means taking out your phone and snapping pictures of anything relevant. This may include a relevant stop sign, brake marks on the road, the license plate of the adverse vehicle, and every angle of each involved vehicle to document property damage. Some pieces of evidence may not be available to us later. Thus, documenting as much as you can at the scene is critical. If you go to the emergency room via ambulance, see if a friend or family member can document the scene.
Additionally, be sure to exchange information with other drivers involved in the accident. This means the name and contact information of all parties. It also means collecting the insurance information from the other driver. Also, note the make, model, and license plate number of each vehicle involved in the accident.
Once a medical professional evaluates your injuries and releases you from their care, and you document the scene, you must speak with a DC delivery truck accident lawyer. Depending on the facts of your case, you need to take an array of steps to protect your right to compensation. While the statute of limitations in Washington, D.C., is three years for most personal injuries, there are other statutes with far shorter statutes to be aware of. Some of these statutes depend on the state where the adverse vehicle is registered and the state where the adverse driver entered into their insurance contract. If that driver is from out of state, it is critical to consult a knowledgeable attorney.
Our DC delivery truck accident lawyers have over 70 years of experience handling truck accident cases in DC. During that time, we have handled nearly every conceivable scenario. If you have questions regarding your right to compensation following an accident, contact our office for a free consultation.
We look forward to speaking with you.