Delivery vehicles are everywhere on the modern roads. There are large fleets operated by businesses that deliver packages on demand to customers. There are hordes of drivers on standby for different companies and apps that deliver groceries or meals from restaurants. There are also specialized employees working for various restaurants, such as pizza places, who only drive deliveries for work.

Delivery drivers contribute to the overall volume of traffic and are also sometimes responsible for major collisions. Who is liable for the costs generated by crashes wherein delivery drivers are at fault?

Employers are frequently liable

When a direct-hire employee drives as a job task, their employer may be responsible if they cause a crash. Vicarious liability rules make businesses responsible for the negligence of workers while they are on the clock.

However, some of the most popular delivery services try to bypass liability rules by using independent contractor arrangements instead of hiring workers directly. If the delivery driver is an independent contractor operating their own vehicle, then the driver may ultimately be the party liable for any damages caused by a crash.

Typically, those using personal vehicles for business purposes have to carry specialized insurance coverage that supplements the baseline liability insurance required from the average motorist. Reviewing the details of a recent collision involving a delivery vehicle can help affected parties determine who might be liable and what forms of compensation they can pursue.

Both insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits can be helpful for those injured by unsafe delivery drivers. Holding professionals and employers accountable may require the support of a legal professional who understands insurance claims and the nuances of civil litigation.