Though box trucks and delivery trucks are smaller than big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial carriers, they still do significant damage to passenger vehicles and their occupants in collisions.
In addition to serious physical injuries, box truck accident victims may face devastating financial losses, which are even more frustrating if their injuries temporarily—or permanently—prevent them from working.
However, if you were hurt in a box or delivery truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Here’s what you should know before taking legal action in these cases.
Recognizing Box Trucks
Companies like the United States Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, and UPS use box trucks to deliver packages throughout Georgia. Also known as delivery trucks, cube trucks, or box vans, these commercial vehicles usually feature roll-up rear doors and large cargo areas. Other types of box trucks seen in the Atlanta area include:
- Furniture delivery and moving vans
- Food trucks
- Tool vendor trucks
- Flower delivery vans
- Garbage trucks
- Construction vehicles
Common Types and Causes of Box Truck Accidents
Delivery trucks can be involved in just about any type of accident. However, their large, boxy shape makes them particularly at risk for rollover crashes and blind-spot collisions. Drowsiness and driver distractions also play a common role in Georgia box truck crashes.
After being hurt in a delivery truck accident, individuals are often unsure who to name as the defendant in their lawsuit. Potentially liable parties in delivery truck wrecks include:
- The box truck operator
- The company that employs the driver, if the crash involved a commercial vehicle
- The designer, manufacturer, or retailer of a faulty truck component
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you determine the right party to sue when seeking compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Injuries Associated With Small Truck Crashes
Though they aren’t quite as large as tractor-trailers, delivery trucks accidents can leave victims with complicated injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Concussions (MTBIs) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage, which may lead to varying degrees of paralysis
- Limb loss or amputation
People may also suffer a range of moderate-to-severe crash injuries, including contusions, lacerations, burns, internal bleeding, whiplash, and other soft-tissue injuries.
Possible Damages in a Box Truck Accident Claim
Before taking legal action, it’s important to understand what types of damages might be available to you. Georgia law allows delivery truck crash victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages related to the incident.
Economic
These damages correspond to a quantifiable financial loss incurred as a result of the accident, such as medical expenses, wages lost while out of work recovering from your injury, loss of income, and property repair or replacement costs.
Non-economic
These damages attempt to compensate victims for intangible damages they sustained due to the crash, such as pain and suffering, psychological distress, loss of companionship, scarring and disfigurement, reduced quality of life, and other issues.
In some cases, victims may also be entitled to collect punitive damages, which are intended to punish the at-fault party and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct. Your attorney will determine if punitive damages may apply in your small truck accident case.
Consult a Skilled Georgia Attorney
If you were hurt in a Georgia delivery truck accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure the protection of your rights and legal options.
The skilled attorneys with Van Sant Law can help you explore all potential avenues for compensation and fight for the financial award you deserve. Contact us by filling out our online form or call our office directly at (800) 234-9556 today to schedule an appointment for a free initial case consultation.
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