DHL Truck Accident Attorneys Los Angeles

Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn International GmbH (DHL) is a German company that operates as an international carrier and courier. IT is the largest logistics company in the world and operates in more than 220 countries. Each year, the company delivers more than 1.6 billion parcels . The company was founded in the U.S. in 1969 and specializes primarily in transporting parcels and general freight as an interstate carrier. While the company is generally known for its emphasis on safety, accidents sometimes still occur. When people are injured in California trucking accidents because of the drivers’ negligent actions, they might have grounds to file legal claims with the help of the attorneys at the law firm of Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC.

Safety Record

DHL Express, the trucking arm of the company in the U.S., has an enviable safety record. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that the company had zero reportable fatal accidents in the 24 months from Jan. 29, 2020 to Jan. 29, 2022. During that period, its drivers also only were involved in seven injury accidents and 14 tow-away accidents for a total of 21 accidents reported in those two years.

The FMCSA reports that 142 inspections of trucks and 150 drivers for the company were completed from 2020 to 2022. Those inspections resulted in four trucks being taken out of service and two drivers being taken out of service. While the company might be considered to be one of the safest trucking carriers in the U.S., some drivers will make mistakes that can result in accidents. Trucking collisions frequently result because of judgment errors rather than intentional acts. Whenever a carrier’s employee is at fault in a collision, the carrier is responsible for paying damages to any victims who are injured or the families of those who are killed.

Collisions involving commercial trucks are generally much more catastrophic than other types of motor vehicle accidents. Trucking collisions often result in serious injuries and fatalities because of the trucks’ much larger sizes and weights. Victims of trucking accidents are frequently left with debilitating injuries, and many never fully recover. If you have been injured in a collision because of the actions of a truck driver, you should speak to the attorneys at the Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC to learn about your rights and the legal remedies that might be available to you.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Collisions with commercial trucks like those operated by DHL happen for many different reasons. Some of the most common causes of trucking collisions involve the truck driver’s negligence and include the following:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving while impaired
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance
• Defective parts
• Improper cargo loading
• Fatigued driving
• Inadequate training
• Violating rules and regulations

Many trucking carrier drivers face significant pressure to meet their delivery deadlines. In some cases, a driver will speed while trying to deliver their cargo on time. When a driver speeds, it can be more difficult for him or her to maneuver the vehicle and brake in time to avoid collisions.

Trucking company drivers spend hours on the road, and the long hours can become monotonous. Drivers might use distractions to entertain themselves, including texting, making phone calls, adjusting the stereo controls, and engaging in other activities that draw their attention away from the road. Distracted driving can result in serious accidents when the drivers take their attention away from the act of driving.

Because of the risks involved with driving commercial vehicles, truck drivers have strict regulations about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, some drivers might take drugs to try to remain awake when they drive long hours. Other drivers might also drive while under the influence of alcohol, placing both themselves and others around them at risk.

In some cases, collisions happen because proper maintenance has not been performed. Large trucks must undergo regular maintenance and repairs to ensure that they are safe and roadworthy. Similarly, some collisions occur because of defective parts, including defective brakes that fail to stop trucks on time or tires that contain defects that cause blowouts.

Improperly loaded and secured cargo can shift in trucks, causing the drivers to lose control. Crashes that happen because of improper loading will be the responsibility of the carrier and any third party that was involved in loading the cargo.

Fatigued driving is a common problem for commercial vehicle drivers. Drivers might get inadequate sleep, and when that is combined with long hours of driving, the drivers can become fatigued and fall asleep behind the wheel.

Some drivers do not receive enough training and might not know the regulations and rules they are expected to follow. Inadequate training might also mean that a driver might not be equipped to handle the vehicle, resulting in serious collisions.

Some drivers know the regulations and rules but disregard them. The trucking industry is heavily regulated, and all drivers are expected to know and follow the rules at all times to protect the safety of others traveling on the roads around them.

If you have suffered injuries in a trucking collision because of the driver’s negligence, you might have a viable claim against both the driver and his or her trucking carrier. The carrier might also be directly liable if your collision was caused by improper maintenance, negligent hiring, or inadequate training. Defective parts manufacturers and third parties that improperly load or repair the trucks can also be liable in some cases.

Types of Evidence Needed Following a DHL Truck Accident

If you were involved in a collision with a DHL driver, you must gather as much evidence as possible to show that the driver was negligent. Some of the following types of evidence might be needed to support your legal claim:

• Photos of the accident scene, the damage to both vehicles, and your injuries
• Medical records and reports
• Expert opinions about the future treatment you might need as a result of your injuries
• Eyewitness statements
• Information from the truck’s electronic logging device and black box
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Police report
• Accident reconstruction expert report

Following your crash, you should try to gather as much evidence as possible from the scene. Taking pictures with your phone can provide a lot of critical information about how the collision occurred. You should also seek immediate medical attention. Getting prompt medical care can help you to identify an injury that might not immediately show symptoms and aid your recovery process. It also can help to prove that your injuries were caused by the collision instead of a different event. If you wait to seek treatment, the insurance company will likely try to blame a different incident for your injuries to try to avoid paying your claim. If you need help gathering evidence, our attorneys can handle your case for you so that you can concentrate on your recovery.

Help for Los Angeles DHL Truck Accidents

Getting legal help as soon as possible following your accident is important. Evidence can be lost as time passes, and it is critical to start investigating what happened as soon as possible. Investigations in complex collisions also take a substantial amount of time. Our lawyers understand how to obtain critical data from the trucking carriers and preserve evidence to build strong cases of liability for our clients.

If you have been injured because of the actions of a DHL truck driver, contact the experienced attorneys at the law firm of Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC. We offer free consultations to injured victims and the family members of people who are killed. We will fairly assess your potential case and speak with you about your legal options. Call us today at 866-966-5240 for a free case evaluation.