As you may have experienced, COVID-19 has put increased pressure on the delivery service industry. With most of the population following stay at home orders or minimizing unnecessary travel, people have increased their online ordering and delivery of food and products. Many businesses are experiencing delivery delays due to this COVID-related demand and have to explore how to improve delivery timing. Some businesses that did not offer a delivery service before the coronavirus have been forced to add a delivery option in an effort to remain open and retain business.
Before COVID-19, local businesses distinguished themselves through the value of their products and services. In-person service was the most utilized service option, with some small businesses offering delivery as an additional service. During the coronavirus pandemic, many small and local businesses have developed a competitive edge by implementing a delivery service so that they do not fall behind. They have been forced to use another company’s technology platform for placing orders online and/or hiring a delivery service. As the need for delivery services has increased, it may have compromised the integrity of some delivery services.
As more deliveries are being placed, it has left companies short staffed. This has forced delivery services to explore how to expand their teams to accommodate an increase in delivery demand. One FedEx driver compared everyday to a holiday, claiming they are working harder than ever, with limited vacation time available. While large companies, such as FedEx and UPS are hiring more and more delivery drivers and incentivising them with higher salaries, some of the other companies are not fully vetting their drivers.
Smaller companies who did not originally have a delivery service option, may have created a sub-par delivery service. Their need to remain open and retain business outweighed their need to properly vet their delivery drivers. Delivery drivers are often incentivized to complete their deliveries quickly and efficiently, which may result in reckless driving and carelessness. If they have not been properly trained or drive dangerously, it becomes a hazard to other drivers and pedestrians on the road.
When a delivery driver causes a collision, the driver obviously is responsible for his or her actions. However, the company that employed the driver often has responsibility, too. In some cases, there could be other parties who bear responsibility. These situations are very fact specific. It is important to gather information quickly and thoroughly to protect your rights.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with a delivery truck driver, or any car accident at all, contact counsel immediately. If you are injured, it is even more important that you have an experienced car accident lawyer fighting for your rights. Before leaving the accident scene, be sure that you:
- Call the Police and be sure to get the name of the responding officer.
- Get the contact information of the other driver and the company that they work for.
- Write down their license plate number and car/truck make and model.
- Take pictures of the accident scene if possible.
- If there were any witnesses, get their contact information.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you are injured.
- Do not sign any paperwork unless it is from a police officer.
- Contact your attorney to begin the legal process.
At Morefield, Speicher, Bachman Law we have experience working with those injured in car accidents and truck accidents. You deserve to be treated with care and attention after a motor vehicle accident. If the driver was inexperienced or had not been properly vetted and trained, it is the responsibility of the company to take action. Unfortunately it is all too common that the negligent party is not held accountable for their actions. Contact our team after an accident and we will ensure that you are cared for.