Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, online sales for everything from clothing and electronics to groceries and household goods has risen 43%.
With that rise came the need for more delivery drivers, including those hired directly by Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, or UPS and independent contractors, to keep up with their delivery requirements.
At Charles J. Argento & Associates, our experienced personal injury attorney in Houston knows that these companies are doing more than hiring unprecedented numbers of drivers. They are also expanding their delivery hours, which means more trucks are on our roads, day and night.
When these expanded hours lead to commercial truck collisions with injuries in Texas, we will pursue the proper insurance coverage for our client’s financial recovery, whether the liability falls on the company that hired the driver, or the independent contractor.
Does the Delivery Driver’s Employment Designation Matter in My Injury Case?
The short answer is, yes. Fortunately, no matter their designation, our personal injury lawyers in Houston can pursue the negligent party for your financial recovery.
The State of Texas requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance, which includes coverage for:
- $60,000 per accident
- $30,000 for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
With the increase in independent drivers, Texas implemented the Transportation Network Companies Law that requires contracted drivers for companies like Uber and Amazon to carry additional insurance coverage.
That requirement includes minimum increases to:
- $100,000 per accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury
Most local delivery services, including Postmates or Door Dash, carry up to $1 million in insurance coverage on behalf of their drivers.
Must larger companies, like UPS or FedEx, carry up to $5 million in insurance coverage that can be pursued when their driver was proven at-fault for our client’s injuries.
At Charles J. Argento & Associates, our experienced commercial Houston truck accident lawyers understand that the combination of insurance coverages can help our clients get the medical care and time away from work they need to heal, and we will aggressively pursue the maximum financial recovery each deserves.
What are the Most Common Causes of Delivery Driver Accidents in Houston?
Delivery drivers in Houston can be equally as negligent as any other driver who is not on the clock. And while we all expect everyone to drive with caution and follow the rules of the road, the consequences can be even more severe when a collision occurs with a large truck, van, or commercial vehicle.
Common causes of commercial truck accidents may include, but are not limited to:
- Fatigue driving
- Speeding
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Distractions from electronic devices for work or personal use while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
Contact Us For A Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in an accident with a commercial delivery driver, contact our experienced Houston personal injury attorney at Charles J. Argento & Associates to schedule a free consultation by calling (713) 225-5050 or by contacting us online to discuss your case today.