Pedestrian Accidents Caused by Delivery Vehicles in Chicago

Delivery Vehicles Are a Growing Threat to Chicago Pedestrians

Online shopping and food delivery have exploded in the past several years. More delivery vehicles are on Chicago streets than ever before. Amazon vans, FedEx trucks, UPS vehicles, USPS mail trucks, food delivery drivers for DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, plus local courier services all crowd city streets daily. Many of these drivers are under pressure to meet tight delivery windows, which leads to rushing, double-parking, and careless driving.

Pedestrians pay the price. Delivery vehicles cause accidents when they block sightlines, pull out without looking, run stop signs, or hit people while backing up. If a delivery vehicle struck you while you were walking in Chicago, the company behind the driver may be liable for your injuries.

How Delivery Vehicles Cause Pedestrian Accidents

Double-Parking and Illegal Stops

Delivery drivers frequently double-park or stop in travel lanes to make quick deliveries. This forces pedestrians to walk around the vehicle, often into traffic. It also blocks the view of other drivers, who may not see a pedestrian stepping out from behind the delivery truck.

Backing Up Without a Spotter

Large delivery trucks have significant blind spots behind them. When a driver backs up without a spotter or backup camera, they may not see a pedestrian walking behind the vehicle. These backover accidents can be fatal, especially for children and elderly pedestrians.

Rushing Through Intersections

Delivery drivers on tight schedules may speed through yellow lights, roll through stop signs, or fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. The pressure to complete deliveries on time creates a culture of hurried driving that puts everyone at risk.

Distracted Driving

Delivery drivers use GPS apps, delivery tracking apps, and their phones constantly while driving. Looking at a phone screen to find the next delivery address takes eyes off the road. This is a major cause of pedestrian accidents involving delivery vehicles.

Obstructing Sidewalks

Some delivery drivers park on sidewalks or block curb cuts, forcing pedestrians into the street. People using wheelchairs, strollers, or walkers are especially affected. Being forced off the sidewalk and into traffic dramatically increases the risk of being hit.

Who Is Liable When a Delivery Vehicle Hits a Pedestrian?

Delivery vehicle accidents often involve multiple liable parties. This can work in your favor because it means more sources of insurance coverage and compensation.

The Driver

The driver who hit you is personally liable for their negligence. However, individual delivery drivers often have limited personal insurance coverage. That is why going after the company behind the driver is usually more important.

The Delivery Company

Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer is liable for the negligent actions of employees acting within the scope of their employment. If a UPS driver hits you while making deliveries, UPS is responsible. The same applies to FedEx, Amazon (for its own delivery fleet), USPS, and other companies that employ drivers directly.

Third-Party Delivery Contractors

Many companies use independent contractors instead of employees. Amazon, for example, uses Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), which are small companies that contract with Amazon to make deliveries. When a DSP driver hits a pedestrian, the question of whether Amazon is liable becomes complicated. Recent lawsuits and legal changes have made it easier to hold companies like Amazon accountable even when they use contractors.

Gig Economy Delivery Drivers

Food delivery drivers for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and similar platforms are classified as independent contractors. These companies argue they are not responsible for their drivers’ behavior on the road. But if the driver was actively making a delivery at the time of the accident, there are legal theories that can hold the platform liable. The driver’s personal auto insurance or the platform’s commercial coverage may apply.

Vehicle Owners

If the delivery driver was using a vehicle owned by someone else, the vehicle owner may also be liable under certain circumstances. Illinois law allows claims against vehicle owners when the owner negligently entrusted the vehicle to an unsafe driver.

Insurance Coverage in Delivery Vehicle Accidents

Delivery vehicle accidents typically involve more insurance coverage than a standard car accident. Commercial vehicles are required to carry higher insurance limits. Large carriers like UPS and FedEx have multi-million-dollar policies. Even smaller delivery operations are required to carry commercial auto insurance.

The challenge is getting the insurance company to pay what your claim is worth. Commercial insurers have large legal teams dedicated to minimizing payouts. Having an attorney who understands insurance and liability in commercial vehicle cases is essential.

Common Injuries From Delivery Vehicle Pedestrian Accidents

Delivery vehicles range from small cars to large box trucks. The size and weight of the vehicle directly affects the severity of injuries. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Crushed limbs and amputation injuries from being run over or pinned
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Multiple broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Severe road rash and skin injuries
• Psychological trauma

Accidents involving larger delivery trucks tend to cause more catastrophic injuries. The weight difference between a 10,000-pound delivery truck and a 150-pound pedestrian is extreme. In fatal cases, families may pursue a wrongful death claim.

Evidence to Gather After a Delivery Vehicle Accident

Delivery vehicle accidents generate more evidence than typical car-pedestrian crashes. Important evidence includes:

• The delivery vehicle’s markings and company name. Photograph the vehicle, including any logos, license plates, and identification numbers.
• The driver’s information. Get their name, employer, and insurance details.
• Delivery records. The driver’s delivery log, route, and time records can show whether they were rushing or behind schedule.
• GPS and telematics data. Many delivery vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking and onboard cameras. This data can show the vehicle’s speed, location, and braking patterns.
• Dashcam footage. Some delivery vehicles have forward and rear-facing cameras.
• The driver’s phone records. These can reveal distraction at the time of the crash.
• Company safety records. If the delivery company has a history of accidents, inadequate training, or unrealistic delivery quotas, this supports your claim that the company was negligent.

Act quickly. Companies may try to alter or destroy electronic evidence. Your attorney can send a preservation letter requiring them to save all relevant data.

The Role of Delivery Pressure and Company Policies

Many pedestrian accidents involving delivery vehicles trace back to company policies that prioritize speed over safety. Drivers who face penalties for late deliveries or miss bonuses for falling behind schedule are more likely to speed, skip safety checks, and take risks.

If the company’s policies or quotas contributed to the accident, that is evidence of corporate negligence. Your attorney can investigate the company’s internal policies, training programs, and safety record to build this part of your case.

What to Do If a Delivery Vehicle Hits You

1. Call 911. Report the accident and get medical help.
2. Identify the vehicle and company. Take photos of the delivery vehicle from multiple angles, capturing company logos, license plates, and vehicle numbers.
3. Get the driver’s information. Ask for their name, employer, and insurance details.
4. Collect witness information. Nearby pedestrians, business owners, and other drivers may have seen the accident.
5. Photograph everything. The scene, your injuries, the vehicle’s position, any double-parking violations, and any obstructed sightlines.
6. Seek medical treatment. Get checked out even if you think your injuries are minor.
7. Contact a personal injury attorney. Cases involving commercial vehicles are more complex than standard accident claims and require an experienced lawyer.

Get Help With Your Delivery Vehicle Pedestrian Accident Case

Delivery companies have corporate legal teams and large insurance policies. You need a lawyer who can go up against these companies and fight for fair compensation. An experienced attorney will investigate the accident, identify all liable parties, and pursue the maximum amount available.

Call Phillips Law Offices at (312) 346-4262 or contact us online at /contact/ for a free consultation.