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When companies like FedEx or UPS hire delivery drivers, we trust that these drivers are well-trained and responsible. Unfortunately, not all delivery truck drivers take care while completing their routes, sometimes causing serious collisions.
In some cases, delivery companies put serious pressure on drivers to finish their routes or fail to properly hire or train drivers, heightening the risk of an accident in Portland.
While most delivery drivers are properly trained and diligent, accidents can still occur. If you are driving, cycling, or walking near a delivery truck, take the following steps to protect yourself.
As a general rule, maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the delivery truck. Many accidents occur when a delivery driver makes a sudden stop or maneuver that surprises nearby drivers, leading to an accident. By maintaining a safe distance near these vehicles, you have more time to respond to these sudden events and avoid a collision.
Delivery trucks are large vehicles that have blind spots around their perimeters. Drivers cannot see other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians that are traveling in these blind spots, heightening the risk of an accident. While traveling near a delivery vehicle, stay within a driver’s sightline and avoid traveling directly behind or next to the truck.
Many delivery truck accidents happen because a driver claimed not to see the victim. Blind spots, poor weather, and low light can significantly reduce a driver’s visibility. Delivery drivers may also become distracted while driving and fail to see others on the road.
When traveling near a delivery truck, assume that the driver does not see you. Be vigilant of the driver’s movements and be prepared to respond if he or she makes a dangerous maneuver. By practicing defensive driving, you can protect yourself from serious collisions.
When making deliveries, drivers can open their large doors into traffic or onto a sidewalk. Pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers traveling near the delivery truck can collide into these doors, leading to serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
You never know when a driver could suddenly open the door. If you see a delivery truck parked on the street, be careful and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle.
While these tips can help you avoid a collision, accidents can still happen. If you are injured by a delivery truck driver in Oregon, you can experience serious losses, from medical expenses and lost wages to physical and emotional pain and suffering.
In these situations, you have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the driver and his or her employer. Through your claim, you can recover compensation for the losses that you sustained in the collision.
If you plan on pursuing an injury claim, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. A Portland delivery truck accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and represent your claim, fighting for your right to maximum compensation. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible following your accident to discuss your next steps.
If you were injured in an accident in Portland, OR, please contact our Portland truck accident lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 272-8986
Open 24/7
