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Are truck accidents more likely to happen during the COVID-19 pandemic?

West Virginia car accident attorney

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our way of life dramatically, even months after the pandemic first arrived. Commerce was impacted in two ways. More people are ordering retail products online and there has been a greater demand for essential products.

As a result, people have been relying on e-commerce for "non-essential" items, and local grocery and warehouse stores for essential items. The high demand for both has placed some strain on the trucking industry. Truck drivers have strict deadlines to meet for delivering bulk items to stores or individual packages to residential homes.

Risks of sharing the road with delivery trucks

As we discussed in June 2020, more people are beginning to travel due to the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions. That means an influx of drivers who could be sharing the road with large commercial trucks and delivery trucks. Here's why this can be problematic:

  • Commercial and delivery truck drivers may be inclined to speed or drive aggressively in order to meet their deadlines within a limited amount of time.
  • Delivery truck drivers may be distracted while looking for the correct location to make deliveries in residential areas. This can potentially lead to crashes with other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • Trucking companies and online retail stores may be more likely to hire anyone they can get in order to keep up with the demand. This could include drivers who are inexperienced, who don't hold CDLs or who have a history of reckless driving.
  • There are often safety issues with poorly maintained trucks or trucks that fail to pass inspection. Some trucking companies and online retail stores may not consider proper maintenance of their vehicles when they place more emphasis on moving items faster. This can potentially lead to brake failures, detached wheels, steering wheel issues and tire blowouts.
  • Overloaded cargo can be problematic when trucking companies and online retailers are trying to move as many items as possible within a short amount of time. Improper cargo loads can lead to jackknife accidents, rollovers and cargo spills on major roadways.

Can truck drivers or companies be held accountable for negligence?

Commercial and delivery truck drivers have a duty of care to uphold on the road. The retail crunches they face during these difficult times or during holiday periods is no excuse for failing to consider the safety of others.

Truck drivers can be held accountable when their negligence causes someone else's injury or death. So can the companies that employ them. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck crash, you can count on the West Virginia attorneys at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC to pursue justice on your behalf.

Our legal team investigates crashes like yours and fights for fair settlements and verdicts for crash victims. To find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve, contact us online and schedule your free consultation.

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Charleston, WV

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
10 Hale St Suite 501
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 720-1000

Columbus, OH

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
20 E Broad St Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 587-8423