Delivery trucks are a common sight throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. From neighborhood streets to major highways, package delivery vans, commercial box trucks, and other delivery vehicles share the road with passenger cars every day.
When a delivery truck causes a collision, however, the resulting legal claim may be more complicated than an ordinary car accident. Commercial insurance coverage, company responsibilities, and additional evidence can all play important roles.
Attorney Neil T. O'Donnell of O'Donnell Law Offices explains that while delivery truck accident cases can be different, the first steps injured motorists should take remain the same.
How Are Delivery Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
A collision involving a commercial delivery vehicle is not necessarily handled the same way as a crash between two privately owned cars. The differences often involve insurance coverage, the identity of the responsible parties, and the evidence available for investigation.
Commercial Insurance Coverage
Delivery companies may maintain commercial automobile insurance policies that differ from personal auto insurance. Coverage can depend on the vehicle involved, the driver's working relationship, and whether the collision occurred during business operations.
Identifying all applicable insurance policies is an important part of investigating a commercial delivery truck accident in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton.
More Than One Party May Be Responsible
In an ordinary car crash, determining liability often centers on the actions of the drivers. In a commercial delivery vehicle accident, the investigation may extend further.
Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include:
- The delivery vehicle driver
- The driver's employer or delivery company
- The owner of the commercial vehicle
- A company responsible for vehicle maintenance
- Other parties whose negligence contributed to the collision
A company's responsibility is not automatic. An experienced attorney can examine the driver's employment status, company policies, and circumstances of the collision to determine who may be legally liable.
Additional Commercial Vehicle Evidence
Delivery companies may possess information that can help explain how an accident occurred. Depending on the vehicle and business, this evidence could include:
- Delivery schedules and route information
- GPS tracking data
- Driver communications and dispatch records
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- Available dash-camera or surveillance footage
- Driver training and qualification records
Not every delivery vehicle is subject to the same commercial trucking regulations. Nevertheless, identifying and preserving available records may be essential to investigating a delivery vehicle collision.
What Should You Do After a Delivery Truck Accident in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton?
Whether a collision occurs in downtown Wilkes-Barre, along a busy Scranton roadway, or in a residential neighborhood, protecting your health and documenting the incident should be your first priorities.
Attorney Neil T. O'Donnell advises:
"Call the police. Get a police report, get medical attention, and reach out to counsel that can be of assistance."
1. Call the Police and Report the Collision
Following a delivery truck accident, call 911 when emergency assistance is needed. Police can document the vehicles, drivers, witnesses, and circumstances surrounding the collision.
An official crash report can become an important part of a subsequent insurance claim or personal injury investigation.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Your health comes first. Even if injuries seem minor immediately after the crash, a medical evaluation may identify conditions that require treatment.
Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, and treatment recommendations. These documents may help establish the extent of your injuries and their impact on your daily life.
3. Document the Delivery Vehicle
If it is safe and you are physically able, photograph the accident scene and obtain relevant information about the commercial vehicle involved.
Important details may include the company name, license plate, vehicle identification numbers, damage to both vehicles, and witness contact information.
4. Be Careful With Insurance Communications
Following a commercial vehicle collision, you may be contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the delivery driver or company.
Be accurate in any required reporting, but avoid guessing about fault, minimizing your injuries, or accepting a settlement before understanding the full extent of your losses and legal rights.
5. Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Commercial vehicle accident claims can involve important questions about insurance, business relationships, and liability. An experienced personal injury attorney can help investigate the collision, preserve relevant evidence, and evaluate your potential claim.
For additional information, read our guides:
- Six Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Wilkes-Barre
- What Should You Do After a Truck or Commercial Vehicle Crash in Scranton?
Who May Be Liable for a Delivery Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?
Delivery drivers may be operating company-owned vehicles, independently owned trucks, or vehicles belonging to third-party delivery contractors.
As a result, determining responsibility requires more than simply identifying the driver who caused the crash.
An attorney may investigate whether negligent driving, inadequate vehicle maintenance, unsafe company practices, or other contributing circumstances played a role in the collision.
At O'Donnell Law Offices, our attorneys have experience investigating serious motor vehicle and commercial truck accidents throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Learn more about our truck accident legal representation for individuals and families injured in commercial vehicle collisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Delivery Truck Accidents in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim After Being Hit by a Delivery Truck?
If a delivery truck driver's negligence caused a collision that resulted in your injuries, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. The available legal options depend on the circumstances, evidence, and applicable Pennsylvania law.
Is a Delivery Van Accident Considered a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
A delivery van used for business operations may be considered a commercial vehicle for insurance or other legal purposes. However, different regulations may apply depending on the vehicle's size, weight, and use.
Can the Delivery Company Be Held Responsible for the Crash?
Potentially. A delivery company may bear legal responsibility depending on its relationship with the driver, its own actions, and the circumstances surrounding the collision. Each case requires an individual investigation.
How Soon Should I Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Pennsylvania?
It is generally wise to seek legal advice promptly after a serious collision. Witnesses may become harder to locate, surveillance recordings may be overwritten, and important evidence may become more difficult to obtain over time. Legal filing deadlines also apply.
Does O'Donnell Law Offices Represent Delivery Truck Accident Victims in Both Cities?
Yes. O'Donnell Law Offices represents injured individuals throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Kingston, Luzerne County, Lackawanna County, and surrounding Northeastern Pennsylvania communities.
The firm's attorneys assist individuals with claims involving commercial trucks, delivery vehicles, and other motor vehicle collisions.
Experienced Legal Representation for Delivery Truck Accident Victims
For more than 35 years, O'Donnell Law Offices has represented injured individuals and families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Attorney Neil T. O'Donnell and the firm's legal team understand the importance of a thorough investigation when a commercial vehicle is involved in a serious collision.
From determining the potentially responsible parties to evaluating medical expenses, lost income, and other damages, the firm works to protect the rights of injured clients.
Injured in a Delivery Truck Accident in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving a commercial delivery truck, box truck, or delivery van, contact O'Donnell Law Offices.
From our Kingston office, we serve injured individuals throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Luzerne County, Lackawanna County, and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Call us. We can help.
Consultations are always free. There is never a fee unless we win.