The vast number of delivery vehicles on the road in San Francisco and the Bay Area means that a collision involving one is likely a question of when and not if.
If you’ve been injured in a collision with a delivery vehicle in San Francisco, contact Jacoby & Meyers today for a free case review. Our experienced delivery accident attorneys understand the complexities of delivery accident claims, from Amazon and FedEx to food delivery services and more.
With over $2 billion recovered for clients, our San Francisco accident attorneys have the experience needed to secure maximum compensation. Call (415) 855-4289 or complete our online form to discuss your case with our team.
Determining Liability in San Francisco Delivery Accidents
Since California is a fault state, car accidents are paid for by the person or party most at fault. This means it is necessary to determine who caused your delivery accident in San Francisco before you can file an insurance claim.
Delivery vehicle crash claims may involve:
- Delivery driver responsibility
- Company liability for driver actions
- Third-party vehicle negligence
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturer liability
- Multiple party claims and comparative fault
Comparative fault means an insurance company is attempting to blame a victim for a crash. If successful, this defense strategy could reduce the victim’s payout by a proportion equivalent to the degree of fault. When you hire an attorney, he or she can investigate your delivery crash to determine fault and legal responsibility.
Compensation Available for Delivery Accident Victims
As a delivery accident victim in San Francisco, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your related losses from one or more parties. If your car accident lawyer can prove that the delivery driver, delivery company or a third party is at fault, you could receive a financial recovery that helps make you whole again.
Available types of compensation can include:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- Property damage recovery
- Wrongful death claims for fatal accidents
You should always discuss the potential value of any type of personal injury case with an attorney before accepting an insurance settlement. Insurance companies want victims to settle for as little as possible, while personal injury lawyers in San Francisco will help clients in securing maximum compensation.
The Surge in Delivery Vehicle Accidents in San Francisco
Thousands of delivery vehicles travel the roads of San Francisco daily. There has been a marked increase in the number of deliveries completed daily due to a rise in the popularity of food delivery apps and e-commerce shopping platforms such as Amazon. Unfortunately, this has correlated to a rise in motor vehicle accidents involving delivery vehicles.
Delivery accidents in San Francisco may involve big rigs or 18-wheelers, delivery box trucks, vans, or standard passenger vehicles (e.g., Amazon Flex drivers and food delivery drivers). These collisions can occur anywhere but are most common in residential areas, busy downtown zones, business districts and at intersections.
Common Causes of Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Delivery drivers can make many avoidable errors that increase the risk of collisions with other drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians in San Francisco. Delivery drivers are often on tight schedules and facing pressures from their employers, which can lead to collisions. They may also be required to use delivery apps while driving, increasing the risk of distracted driving.
Top causes of delivery accidents include:
- Delivery driver time pressures and quotas
- Navigation app distraction in urban environments
- Driver fatigue and extended hours
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Making unsafe lane changes or turns
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Inadequate training for San Francisco’s challenging roads
- Vehicle maintenance issues
Delivery accidents in San Francisco can involve Amazon, USPS, FedEx, UPS, grocery delivery services, food delivery platforms (DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub, etc.), and bicycle or scooter deliveries. No matter what type of delivery vehicle your accident involved, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the company, individual driver or a third party.
California Laws Affecting Delivery Accident Cases
Successfully navigating a delivery accident case in San Francisco requires an understanding of California’s related laws. Special laws pertain to delivery drivers compared to motor vehicle drivers who are not driving for work purposes. Delivery companies must properly vet and background-check their drivers, for example. Delivery vehicles must also be covered by commercial insurance policies.
If a delivery driver is at fault for your collision in the Bay Area, you may be eligible for coverage under a commercial policy rather than the driver’s personal automobile insurance. This could lead to greater results for your claim. If the delivery person was working as an independent contractor, however, you may be unable to hold the delivery company vicariously liable (financially responsible for the actions of employees).
According to Proposition 22, which was upheld by the California Supreme Court in 2024, app-based drivers can continue to be classified as independent contractors rather than employees. This means delivery services can continue to avoid vicarious liability for accidents caused by their drivers, in many cases.
Common Injuries in Delivery Vehicle Accidents
A collision with a delivery vehicle can result in serious to catastrophic injuries, especially if the delivery vehicle was a large truck that weighed significantly more than the motor vehicle or individual struck.
Every case is unique, but common injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Disk injuries (back injuries)
- Fractures and orthopedic injuries
- Soft-tissue damage
- Internal injuries
- Burn injuries
- Pedestrian injuries
- Cyclist injuries
At Jacoby & Meyers, our team can help you get medical treatment so that you can get better while we prepare and prosecute your legal claim. We have connections to medical experts who can help prove the existence and extent of your injuries, as well.
Contact Jacoby & Meyers for a Free San Francisco Delivery Accident Case Review
Jacoby & Meyers is the right choice for your delivery accident case in San Francisco. No other law firm in California has won as much for clients for as long as we have. We have achieved over $2 billion in settlements and judgment awards for our clients, including $19 million for a rideshare app case. We know how to go up against delivery service providers and win.
You can benefit from our understanding of delivery company operations, experience with app-based employment issues, knowledge of San Francisco traffic patterns and track record of success in similar delivery cases. Learn more about how we can help you during a free initial case evaluation at our local law office. Contact us online or call us directly at (415) 855-4289 any time. We are located at 50 California St. Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111.