Suing Private Delivery Van Crashes in San Francisco
During the pandemic, e-commerce sales doubled – and that trend is continuing into the modern era. In California, this means that there are now more delivery vans on our roads than ever before. While some might say that this is a sign of a strong economy, others raise important concerns. With such high pressure to make quotas and deliver parcels on time, these delivery vans pose a serious risk to the general public. But what can you do if you were injured in a crash with a delivery van?
If you find yourself in this situation, you might be suffering from a wide range of injuries. These injuries may be very expensive to treat, and you may be left with a disability. This disability could be preventing you from working and earning a living – making it even more challenging to make ends meet. Furthermore, you may be struggling with psychological issues like PTSD or anxiety as you recover from your crash. The obvious option is to file a personal injury lawsuit to gain crucial compensation for these damages. But who exactly do you sue? How does this legal process work?
Delivery Vans Crash in California All the Time
The unfortunate truth is that delivery vans crash on a fairly regular basis in San Francisco and throughout California. Some might argue that these crashes are inevitable due to the sheer number of vans on the road at any given time. But there is almost certainly a degree of negligence whenever crashes occur, and private companies or drivers are often to blame.
On April 11, 2023, it was reported that a pedestrian lost their life after a puzzling incident in the San Francisco neighborhood of Tenderloin. The incident began when a U-Haul truck began to roll down a hill – presumably because someone forgot to activate the parking brake. The U-Haul then proceeded to strike and kill a pedestrian before rolling onward and impacting a FedEx delivery van.
In this situation, the delivery truck was not actually to blame, but rather whoever was operating the U-Haul truck. This is because the FedEx van was only involved in the accident after the pedestrian had been struck. It may be possible for family members of the victim to sue U-Haul if some kind of mechanical error or poor maintenance caused the van to roll down the hill. Otherwise, they would need to sue the person who rented the truck.
Mail Truck Crashes in Medford
On March 13, it was reported that a Medford man had been hospitalized after a crash involving a mail truck. The man let his mail truck drift onto the shoulder before crashing into a power pole. This crash highlights the amount of pressure delivery drivers are under – whether they are delivering mail or packages. The USPS is a government agency, which means that you would need to sue a civil claim against the federal government in order to receive compensation after a crash with a mail truck.
That being said, the USPS has started to contract out its services to Amazon in some cases. While the USPS previously did not deliver mail on Sundays, it now contracts its services to the tech giant in order to deliver packages on Sundays. This means that if a crash occurs on a Sunday and Amazon packages are being delivered, you could potentially sue Amazon after a collision with a USPS truck.
Is it Worth Suing a Private Company for a Crash?
It is almost always a good idea to sue a negligent company for its role in a crash. In fact, this strategy is usually more productive compared to suing individuals. While an individual may only have access to limited funds and certain insurance coverage, many private companies can pay out six-figure settlements for injuries. Consider Amazon, for example. This is one of the biggest companies in the world, and although it will fight tooth and nail to avoid paying out settlements, it certainly has the potential to do so.
The same logic applies to suing the government for USPS crashes. The federal government obviously has the ability to pay out large settlements, and it has a history of doing so for legitimately injured victims affected by its actions. The only thing to keep in mind is that the time limits for suing the government may be slightly different compared to a “normal” personal injury lawsuit.
Although suing private companies and government entities can certainly provide you with considerable settlements, it also poses a challenge. These companies may be wealthy – but this also means that they can hire some of the best defense lawyers in the world. This means that you need to hire a personal injury lawyer who is up to this challenge. In this way, suing a private company is a bit of a double-edged sword – providing the potential for both lucrative settlements and real challenges in accessing them.
Consider working with a lawyer who has both strong negotiating skills and a solid background of knowledge in California personal injury law. The most likely outcome will be a negotiated settlement – not a litigated civil trial. As long as you can negotiate effectively with private companies for delivery van crashes, you should be able to get your hands on a settlement without the time-consuming, stressful process of a trial.
Where Can I Find an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in San Francisco?
If you have been searching for a personal injury attorney in San Francisco, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. Over the years, we have helped numerous crash victims. We know how dangerous delivery vans have become in California, and we are ready to help you hold negligent parties accountable for your injuries. With our assistance, you can pursue meaningful compensation that covers medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, and any other damages you might have incurred. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.
