Are Third-Party Delivery Drivers Liable in an Accident?
When an accident happens between third-party delivery drivers, who could be held accountable? Keep reading to learn more about what third-party delivery drivers are, their liability in an accident, and why a commercial vehicle accident attorney can help your claim.
What are Third-Party Delivery Drivers?
With more than 55,000 businesses dedicated to deliveries in California, it’s no surprise that third-party delivery drivers join the daily SoCal commute every day. These drivers often operate semi-trailers, delivery vans, buses, and even regular passenger vehicles. When one of these drivers impacts another vehicle, bike, or motorcycle, it becomes a commercial vehicle accident.
Who is Liable in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
After a commercial vehicle accident, who can be held liable? Do third-party delivery drivers hold responsibility for your accident? The answer to these questions depends on whether the driver is officially employed by the company they are driving for.
For example, in an accident with a semi-trailer, the driver could be held responsible for driving while distracted, such as for looking at their phone, eating, etc. However, since they are also employed by a trucking company that should be training and keeping their drivers up to date on the best safety practices while on the road, the trucking company could be held liable.
If a driver operates through a third-party app and is referred to as an independent contractor, this is where liability may change. Since the company this driver operates for isn’t employing them directly, the driver may often hold the blame for an accident caused by distracted driving, speeding, and so on. However, delivery platforms who don’t vet their drivers or ignore reports of unsafe driving from their contractors could ultimately be held responsible in an accident, too.
Can I File a Claim After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Yes, after being involved in an accident caused by a third-party driver, you should absolutely work with a commercial vehicle accident attorney to file a claim. BD&J is a dedicated personal injury firm working with injured California drivers for more than 20 years, and more than $2 billion* recovered in compensation. Call our team (available 24/7) to schedule a consultation!
* ATTORNEY ADVERTISING: This is an advertisement. The information contained within this article is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this article should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. BD&J attorneys have recovered in aggregate over Two Billion Dollars for their clients. This number is derived from the total recoveries achieved by BD&J and its affiliated lawyers from various sources for their clients. These recoveries include but are not limited to recoveries for property damage claims, medical payments, benefits claims, bodily injury claims, recovery of workers’ compensation benefits and other compensation derived for the benefit of their clients. The total Two Billion Dollar amount also includes recoveries achieved as a result of co-counsel ventures with outside law firms, from results obtained by current BD&J partners while they held previous positions within other law firms, and by each of the partners’ previous individual legal ventures. Clients are responsible for all case costs associated with their claim in the event of an unsuccessful claim or switching representation. Attorney fees may still be owed for hours worked on a case if clients choose to terminate their legal representation with BD&J.
