Delivery drivers make hundreds of stops daily, often parking in ways that create hazards for other road users. Double-parking, blocking bike lanes, stopping in travel lanes, and obstructing visibility cause accidents that injure drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Common Parking Hazards
Double-parking forces traffic to merge around stopped delivery vehicles, creating collision risks and reducing visibility for all road users. Drivers swerving around double-parked trucks may strike other vehicles or pedestrians.
Blocking bike lanes forces cyclists into traffic lanes where they're exposed to vehicle collisions. Cyclists maneuvering around delivery vehicles face dangers from both the delivery truck and passing traffic.
Stopping in travel lanes creates rear-end collision hazards, especially when drivers stop suddenly or in areas with limited visibility.
Obstructing crosswalks forces pedestrians to walk around delivery vehicles, often into traffic lanes.
Delivery Driver Negligence
Delivery drivers have duties to park safely and legally even when making brief stops. The need to make deliveries doesn't excuse creating traffic hazards. Negligent parking includes stopping where parking is prohibited, failing to use hazard lights appropriately, blocking visibility at intersections, creating obstacles that force others into dangerous positions, and failing to watch for traffic when exiting vehicles.
Company Policies and Practices
Delivery companies influence driver parking behavior through policies and productivity pressure. Companies that prioritize speed over safety contribute to dangerous parking practices.
If company policies encourage or tolerate illegal or dangerous parking to meet delivery quotas, the company shares liability for resulting accidents. Unrealistic delivery schedules that make safe parking impossible create foreseeable hazards.
Loading and Unloading Injuries
Accidents also occur during the actual loading and unloading process. Packages falling from trucks striking pedestrians, hand trucks or dollies rolling into traffic, drivers stepping into traffic while unloading, and unsecured cargo shifting and falling.
Delivery drivers must ensure loading activities don't create hazards for others.
Property Damage Claims
Improper parking causes property damage beyond traffic accidents. Delivery trucks striking parked vehicles while parking, damaging lawns or landscaping by parking on private property, hitting mailboxes or fences while maneuvering, and blocking driveways preventing property access.
Property owners can pursue claims for damage caused by delivery vehicle parking.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Claims
Cyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to delivery parking hazards. Claims may be based on the dangerous condition the driver created rather than direct collision—if the delivery truck forced you into traffic where you were struck by another vehicle, the delivery driver may share or bear full liability.
Evidence in Parking-Related Cases
Important evidence includes photographs of how and where the delivery vehicle was parked, witness statements about the parking situation, traffic citations issued to the delivery driver, video from traffic cameras or nearby businesses, and records showing the driver's parking patterns and any prior incidents.
Document the parking position before vehicles are moved. This evidence establishes how the delivery vehicle created the hazard.
Comparative Fault Issues
Defendants may argue you should have seen the delivery vehicle and avoided the hazard. While you have duties to drive attentively, delivery drivers cannot create hazards and blame others for failing to avoid them.
Comparative fault may reduce but typically won't eliminate recovery when delivery drivers created dangerous conditions through improper parking.
Pursuing Your Claim
If a delivery vehicle's parking caused or contributed to your accident, document everything thoroughly. Identify the delivery company and driver. Note the vehicle number and company markings.
An experienced attorney can investigate whether the parking was illegal or dangerous, whether company policies contributed to unsafe parking, and pursue claims against both the driver and delivery company.