Due to the rise of e-commerce and delivery services in California, an average day in Bakersfield can involve hundreds of different delivery vehicles traveling local roads and freeways.
If you get involved in an accident with a delivery driver, it is important to learn your rights by consulting with a knowledgeable Bakersfield personal injury attorney.
Delivery accident cases have unique legal issues, such as the ability to hold the delivery company or service accountable rather than only the driver of the car, van or truck. Overcoming these legal challenges as a victim may take hiring an attorney to represent you. Schedule a free consultation at Jacoby & Meyers to discuss your case with our lawyers at no cost.
Common Types of Delivery Vehicle Accidents in Bakersfield
The popularity of order-in services and delivery platforms has led to a plethora of delivery companies with hired drivers on the roads of Bakersfield.
Accidents involving delivery vehicles can describe:
- Amazon delivery van accidents
- FedEx and UPS truck crashes
- Food delivery service incidents (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub)
- USPS mail carrier accidents
- DHL Express delivery truck accidents
- Grocery delivery vehicle collisions
- Third-party logistics and last-mile delivery accidents
- Rideshare drivers doubling as delivery services
If you get into a crash with a delivery driver working for any company, you may qualify for financial compensation through an insurance claim or injury lawsuit.
Causes of Delivery Accidents in Bakersfield
One of the first steps toward recovering financial compensation for your delivery accident is understanding the cause of the crash. Delivery jobs have unique requirements that can increase the likelihood of vehicle collisions – especially if the delivery driver is poorly trained or negligent, meaning he or she does not act with proper care while driving.
Top causes of delivery accidents in Bakersfield include:
- Aggressive delivery schedules and time pressure
- Driver fatigue and extended working hours
- Inadequate training for delivery personnel
- Distracted driving (GPS checking, app management, phone use)
- Unfamiliarity with local Bakersfield neighborhoods
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Overloaded or improperly loaded vehicles
- Parking and stopping hazards during deliveries
California has laws in place that govern deliveries in Bakersfield. Delivery companies and their drivers are required to obey relevant California Vehicle Code regulations, as well as commercial vehicle requirements (if applicable), driving hour restrictions, municipal codes in Bakersfield, and insurance requirements. Breaking any of these rules can increase the odds of a delivery accident.
Liability Issues in Delivery Vehicle Accidents
The insurance claims process after a typical car accident in Bakersfield involves an injured person filing a claim with the insurance carrier of the at-fault driver. After a delivery vehicle accident, however, more than just the delivery driver could be held accountable. Liability (financial responsibility) for a delivery accident can be complicated.
As a victim, you may have grounds to hold the delivery company or platform responsible for its own negligence or the mistakes of its delivery driver. If the driver was classified as an independent contractor, however, it can be more difficult to hold the company liable.
Finally, you may also have the ability to bring a claim against a third party if it contributed to your crash, such as the vehicle owner for inadequate maintenance, a logistics company for route-related accidents, a manufacturer for a vehicle part defect, or the government for unsafe roadways or USPS accidents.
The Legal Process for Delivery Accident Claims in Bakersfield
Recovering and moving on from a delivery accident in Bakersfield takes successfully navigating your legal claim. The legal process generally starts with a comprehensive investigation of the accident, along with the collection of any available evidence (e.g., delivery records, driver logs, witness statements and accident reports). This will help determine who is responsible.
An experienced delivery accident attorney in Bakersfield can help you identify the liable party or parties in your case, as well as file the necessary paperwork to initiate your insurance claim. Then, a lawyer will take over settlement negotiations on your behalf or attempt to resolve your case in the Kern County courts, if necessary.
Why You Need a Specialized Bakersfield Delivery Accident Attorney
It is important not to choose just any attorney when hiring a legal representative for your Bakersfield delivery accident claim. The lawyer you choose should have a track record of success with similar cases, as well as access to accident reconstruction and medical experts, an understanding of corporate defense tactics and delivery company insurance policies, and familiarity with local courts and procedures.
Delivery vehicle accident cases are not the same as typical automobile accidents. Your lawyer needs to have knowledge of the complex regulations and nuances that your particular claim will involve. This is the only way the attorney will know how to correctly and successfully navigate your case. The attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers have overcome challenging delivery accident cases and secured positive case results for many past clients.
Steps to Take After a Delivery Vehicle Accident in Bakersfield
Knowing what to do in the aftermath of a Bakersfield delivery vehicle accident can allow you to remain calmer and more levelheaded as you step into the future.
Protect your rights by taking the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured right away.
- Report the accident to law enforcement. Do not admit fault.
- Document the accident scene with photographs and videos, if possible.
- Identify the delivery company and write down delivery driver information.
- Gather witness contact information for statements.
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies, the police and on social media.
- Contact a Bakersfield delivery accident attorney promptly for a free case review.
An attorney from Jacoby & Meyers can provide you with personalized legal advice to help you protect yourself and get the most out of your delivery accident claim.
Contact Jacoby & Meyers to Speak to a Delivery Accident Lawyer in Bakersfield
Delivery vehicle accidents in Bakersfield and Kern County can leave victims with severe injuries and many questions about what comes next. At Jacoby & Meyers, our mission is to empower automotive accident victims to understand the inner workings of the legal process.
As your attorneys, we will do everything possible to generate bigger, better and more immediate results for your delivery accident claim. Since we operate on a contingency fee basis, you won’t be charged anything by us unless we win your case.
We are committed to fighting for the rights of Bakersfield delivery accident victims. Learn more about how we can help you during a free, no-pressure case evaluation at our local Bakersfield law office. Call our 24/7 hotline at (661) 402-8934 or contact us online to talk to an attorney.