Maryland Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

Deliver trucks, such as those used by the United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (FedEx), travel many miles and many hours a day to deliver packages and mail throughout the nation, and, like other motor vehicles, are involved in their fair share of Maryland traffic accidents. Delivery trucks are generally considered to be medium or large trucks, and thus their involvement in a traffic accident can cause devastating results, including catastrophic injuries, for other motorists, pedestrians, and/or bicyclists.

Types of Delivery Trucks

Package delivery companies, like UPS and FedEx, have a wide range of vehicles that they use for their local mail and package deliveries and long-haul package transportation. They use vans, light and medium trucks, as well as freight tractor-trailers. Although drivers of tractor trailers, or "feeders" as UPS commonly calls them, are required to have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), drivers of the smaller package vehicles just need to hold a valid driver's license.

Driver Causes of Maryland Delivery Truck Accidents

In order to keep a profitable delivery business going, companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL need to be able to guarantee fast delivery. Keeping up with delivery schedules safely can be a difficult task, however. Even if a delivery truck driver is properly trained, their efforts to get the job done as quickly as possible may lead them to be negligent, careless, or even reckless. In their haste to make deliveries on time and/or to finish the day's deliveries on time, drivers may:

• Forget to apply the parking brake before jumping out of the truck to deliver mail or a package, thus causing the truck to roll into other vehicles, or even pedestrians;
• Fail to yield at stop signs or merging onto a highway;
• Travel at unsafe speeds;
• Back up quickly after passing an address and risk striking other vehicles or pedestrians; and
• Rush parking and possibly hit other parked vehicles or stop the truck at an angle that causes a hazard for thru traffic.

If, by negligence, recklessness, or carelessness, a delivery truck driver causes an injury accident, the driver and the company they work for may be held liable for the losses and damages suffered. A skilled Maryland truck accident attorney can help injured victims understand the legal options available in such situations.

Other Causes of Maryland Delivery Truck Crashes

Although delivery truck accidents in Maryland are predominantly caused by driver negligence, error, or inexperience, truck defects and poor maintenance also play their part. Brake failure, tire defects, electrical malfunctions, and fuel system defects may all contribute to a delivery truck crash. In such a case, the delivery truck manufacturer may be held responsible.

Improper maintenance is also a concern. Package delivery trucks travel an inordinate number of miles each day, which causes much wear and tear on the vehicle. If the tires are not changed on time, if the oil is not changed regularly, and if the brakes are not checked, a potentially lethal vehicle is being allowed onto public roads, endangering all on the road. It is the delivery truck company's responsibility to establish an effective maintenance schedule and to enforce the following of that schedule. If it does not, then the company may be liable for any losses and damages associated with an accident caused by its negligence.

Consulting with an Experienced Attorney

Though not as big or heavy as a big rig, local package cars and delivery trucks can have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds and can cause serious injury accidents. Quick delivery is not a valid excuse for putting the lives of other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists in danger. Steven H. Heisler, "The Injury Lawyer," is a knowledgeable Baltimore truck accident attorney with years of experience helping injured victims hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. To learn more about how you can get the compensation you deserve, call Mr. Heisler today for a consultation at (877) 228-4878.