There are a number of different ways that delivery driver accidents can occur. If you were injured in one, read on and reach out to our skilled Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer today. We are on your side.
What kinds of trucks are considered delivery trucks?
There are countless different kinds of trucks on the road in the United States of America, ranging from tractor-trailers and construction vehicles to farm equipment and delivery trucks. Many businesses and individuals send and obtain deliveries at their offices and homes, and FedEx, DHL, UPS, USPS, and other delivery vans and large trucks are a familiar sight on both interstates and suburban roads. Another vehicle used in the package delivery industry is 18-wheelers tractor-trailer trucks, and these generally travel on the interstates, transferring letters and packages between distribution centers all over the country. The trucks that make the rounds on city and suburban roads are often smaller, but the size should not deceive you as some of the smaller vehicles carry heavy loads of up to 80,000 or more pounds.
Who can be liable for a delivery driver accident in Florida?
In the event that a pizza delivery driver causes a traffic accident in Florida, the employer can be lawfully accountable if the driver was acting as an employee at the time of the accident. This is referred to as “acting in the course and scope of employment.” Employers such as Dominos, Pizza Hut, or KFC maintain multi-million dollar insurance policies to cover these types of incidents. However, one of the most common defenses utilized by their insurance companies is to claim that the employee/driver was acting “outside” his employment at the time. This can happen, for example, if the driver goes off the specified route, is texting or talking on a cellphone, or making unapproved stops to purchase gum, cigarettes, or–in the worst-case scenario–alcohol.
What is acting in the course and scope of employment?
The issue of whether or not the driver was “on the clock” at the time of the wreck can make a huge difference in terms of payment for a seriously hurt accident victim, because most of the people delivering FEDEX or UPS packages, pizza, or Chinese food carry little or no insurance on their own and lack the financial means to compensate an accident victim. Because of this, a given driver’s status at the time of a crash often results in protracted litigation and a trial.
Contact Our Experienced Florida Firm
If you have been injured in an accident due to no fault of your own, you need an attorney who truly cares about your right to heal. Merricks Law Group handles a wide array of injury claims, including injuries sustained in auto accidents, slip and falls, and more. Contact Merricks Law Group today.
