Why Are There So Many Delivery Van Accidents in Los Angeles?
Delivery vans join the infamous LA traffic every day, traveling through the 101, the 405, and other roads to reach their destinations. Unfortunately, delivery van accidents are currently on the rise in Los Angeles, and it’s often the smaller passenger cars, bikes, and pedestrians that deal with the most injuries.
Strict quotas, narrow crowded streets, and the congested traffic we all know and love are just a few of the reasons why delivery vans find themselves in accidents. If you were involved in a delivery van accident and suffered injuries, you may be able to file a claim for compensation.
Keep reading to learn more about why delivery van accidents are on the rise, how you can file a claim, and when a Los Angeles commercial vehicle lawyer can help your case.
Key Takeaways
- Streets and highways throughout Los Angeles see plenty of delivery vans among other vehicles.
- Heavy traffic, driver error, and delivery quotas are some of the main factors that result in delivery van accidents.
- Injured drivers and their passengers can file a personal injury claim for compensation after an accident.
- BD&J’s commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Los Angeles can help with your commercial vehicle accident claim.
Delivery Van Accidents are on the Rise
Delivery vans are part of everyday traffic, and so are the accidents they cause. Los Angeles is a busy commercial hub with a significantly large number of residents, many of whom rely on the accessibility and convenience of deliveries.
In 2022, a report published by KTLA ranked Los Angeles as the 5th worst city for delivery drivers in the country. Even now, the city of Los Angeles can be difficult to navigate for the average delivery driver due to factors like:
- Traffic congestion
- The length of traffic jams
- The large population within the city and county
- The massive distance between different parts of the city
- Difficulties in finding parking
Delivery drivers are often on the road navigating narrow streets, time crunches, and more. When you or a loved one are impacted on the road because of the choices of another delivery driver or their employer, you should be able to seek legal accountability for compensation.
Why Are There So Many Delivery Van Accidents in Los Angeles?
Some of the common causes for so many delivery van accidents in Los Angeles are:
Commercial Driver Errors
One of the most frequent causes of delivery van accidents in Los Angeles is mistakes or other reckless acts made by a commercial driver. This can look like distracted driving, where a driver is looking away from the road to check their GPS, eat, or text on their phone, as well as aggressive driving habits like speeding, failing to yield, cutting other cars off, etc.
Failing to check blind spots, driving too close to other cars, and coming to complete stops when a commercial driver has missed a turn or wants to make a delivery in a crowded street can also result in accidents.
Delivery Quotas
Most delivery van drivers have quotas to meet as given by their employers. The need to meet these quotas can cause drivers to speed, cut other drivers off, or skip their breaks and drive while tired, which can cause blurry vision and delayed reaction time on the road.
Construction Zones
There are about 116 construction projects currently under way in the county, at the time of this writing. Construction zones lead to narrow lanes, road closures, traffic, and delays getting through certain streets and highways which can lead to impatient or aggressive drivers.
Road Flaws
Road flaws can mean anything from a flaw in design to lack of signs on the road that can lead to sudden accidents.
What Should I Do Right After a Delivery Van Accident?
Right after an accident on the road with a delivery van, you may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even angry. However, there are a few key steps all drivers should take to ensure the wellbeing of themselves and their passengers, as well as to document the accident for a potential claim.
After a delivery van accident, make sure to:
- Move to a safe area out of the way from traffic.
- Call 911 to report the accident and get an ambulance on the scene.
- Check yourself and your passengers for serious injuries.
- Talk to the delivery van driver to get their information.
- Get photos and videos of the vehicles involved and scene of the accident.
- Talk to other witnesses who saw the accident unfold and get their contact info.
- Share the events of the accident with the police officer who arrives to document in a police report.
- Seek medical attention for yourself and your passengers, even if you don’t feel any pain.
Within a few days after the delivery van accident, you may want to consult with a Los Angeles commercial vehicle lawyer to discuss the possibility of claim and next steps in the legal process.
When Should I Call a Los Angeles Commercial Vehicle Lawyer?
Navigating the landscape of a complex personal injury claim shouldn’t be up to you. You’ve got injuries and other accident damages to worry about, which is why a commercial vehicle lawyer can help your case.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, call a commercial vehicle lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as you can to preserve evidence and ensure your claim is within the statute of limitations. While you heal from injuries, mental trauma, and other accident-related issues, an attorney can:
- Evaluate your case and provide an estimate for your claim value
- Help present your initial claim
- Collect evidence, including expert testimony that helps with accident reconstruction
- Negotiate for a fair settlement amount that covers all current and future accident-related expenses
- Represent you in trial if needed (although 95% of personal injury claims reach a pre-trial settlement)
- Communicate with the attorneys and insurance companies of the other parties involved
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I File a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim?
Injured Los Angeles drivers have 2 years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim.
What Evidence Can Prove My Claim?
Some of the evidence most often collected in these claims includes photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicles involved, witness testimony, medical records of injuries, GPS data, and the driver’s logbook.
Where Do Delivery Van Accidents Most Often Occur in Los Angeles?
Delivery van accidents most often happen on busy highways like the 405 (which is known as the nation’s busiest highway) and certain intersections like Figueroa and Slauson, Hollywood and Highland, and Sepulveda and Roscoe.
Can I Still File a Claim if the Accident Was Partially My Fault?
Absolutely! California is a comparative negligence state, which means that injured plaintiffs can still obtain compensation, even if the accident was partially their fault.
The compensation amount is simply reduced by the percentage of fault the injured driver is found to have.
What Compensation Could I Recover Even if I Was Partially at Fault?
Some of the compensation that could be recovered in an accident claim involving a delivery van includes current and future medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, physical rehabilitation, and assistive medical devices as needed.
Who Could Be Held Responsible for the Accident?
While typically the delivery van driver is held responsible in an accident, there could be other parties that are liable as well.
For example, their employer (even if it’s a third-party) could be held liable for an accident the delivery van driver caused under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability, which holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees done under the scope of their employment. If the delivery van caused an accident due to a defective engine part or faulty brakes, the manufacturing company of these parts would be held legally responsible. A Los Angeles commercial vehicle lawyer can help you determine who is at fault for your accident.
Why Should I Trust BD&J with My Claim?
BD&J is a dedicated personal injury law firm in Los Angeles that has fought for drivers and other injured California residents for more than 20 years. We’ve recovered more than $2 billion* in compensation for clients, and we never turn our backs on a case.
Does BD&J Have Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Near Me?
Definitely! You can visit the BD&J team at our headquarters at 11175 Santa Monica Blvd right in Los Angeles. Look for the big BD&J logo on the corner of the 405 and Santa Monica Blvd. If you aren’t able to visit our office, our team will come to you, wherever you are!
How To Treat Your Injuries After a Delivery Van Accident
If you were involved in a delivery van accident, you’re probably dealing with a variety of painful injuries at the moment. Treat those injuries by:
- Seeking immediate medical attention after the accident. – Many people put off going to the hospital after an accident because they don’t feel any pain or similar symptoms. Remember, some injuries don’t show symptoms until days or weeks after an accident, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Being upfront about any symptoms. – Do not hold back on describing any symptoms you have after an accident to ensure you’re getting the proper medical treatments. Not being upfront about your injury symptoms may delay the treatments you’re supposed to get.
- Following through with treatments. – One of the most important things you can do for your claim and health is to follow through with the treatments prescribed by your medical provider. By not following through with treatments, you can minimize your injuries and further impact your claim.
- Avoiding exertion or any physical activity that can aggravate these injuries. – It is essential you do not strain yourself while healing from injuries, including attempting to get back to work or performing any heavy physical activity. Straining could delay or worsen the healing of your injuries and continue to cause you more problematic symptoms.
Los Angeles Commercial Vehicle Lawyers Fighting For Injured Drivers
Delivery vans are an essential part of everyday traffic in LA, but ensuing accidents with these vans can come with a load of troubles for unsuspecting Angelenos. Traffic, the city’s size, and other factors have led to an increase in delivery van accidents in the city.
What can you do when you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident with one of these commercial vehicles? Call the Los Angeles commercial vehicle lawyers at BD&J!
We prioritize every client who walks through our doors while keeping their best interests in mind. We also advance all case costs to clients and deduct attorney fees from the final compensation amount, which means no fees until we win your case*.
Call us or fill out our online form to connect with a team member 24/7.
Let BD&J fight for your right to compensation after an accident!