Building a strong delivery van accident case requires gathering and preserving evidence that proves liability and damages. Understanding what evidence matters—and how to obtain it—helps accident victims and their attorneys construct winning claims.
Immediate Scene Documentation
Evidence gathered at the accident scene is often the most valuable. If possible, document photographs of all vehicles from multiple angles, the accident scene showing road conditions, traffic controls, and sight lines, visible injuries, debris, skid marks, and damage patterns, the delivery vehicle's company markings and identification number, and weather and lighting conditions.
Smartphone photos capture invaluable evidence. Take as many as possible before vehicles are moved.
Identifying the Delivery Company
Note the company name and logos on the delivery vehicle. Record the vehicle number (usually displayed on doors or rear). Get the driver's name, contact information, and employee/contractor status if possible.
This information is essential for identifying liable parties and their insurance. Don't assume you can easily find this later.
Witness Information
Witnesses can corroborate your account and provide details you might have missed. Get names, phone numbers, and email addresses from anyone who saw the accident. Ask what they observed about the delivery driver before the collision.
Witnesses often disappear if not contacted immediately. Their memories also fade quickly.
Police Reports
Always request police respond to delivery vehicle accidents. Officers document the scene, gather driver information, interview witnesses, and may issue citations. Police reports provide official documentation of the accident and often include fault determinations.
Obtain a copy of the police report as soon as it's available. Note the report number and responding officer's information.
Electronic Evidence
Delivery vehicles generate substantial electronic data:
GPS and telematics track vehicle location, speed, braking, and driver behavior. This data can prove speeding, sudden stops, or route deviations.
Delivery app records show the driver's activity, schedule, and whether they were on an active delivery at the time.
Dashboard and body cameras may have captured the accident. Some delivery companies record driver-facing and road-facing video.
Request preservation of this evidence immediately—it may be automatically deleted after days or weeks.
Company Records
Through discovery, your attorney can obtain driver employment and training records, driving history and prior incidents, vehicle maintenance logs, company safety policies and procedures, delivery schedules and quotas, and internal communications about the accident.
These records reveal whether the company created conditions conducive to accidents through unrealistic schedules, inadequate training, or negligent hiring.
Medical Documentation
Your medical records prove injuries and connect them to the accident. Seek treatment promptly and follow all medical recommendations. Keep records of all treatment, prescriptions, and medical expenses.
Gaps in treatment or failure to follow medical advice can be used against you. Document your injuries thoroughly and consistently.
Preserving Evidence
Evidence can be lost or destroyed if not preserved quickly. Steps to preserve evidence include sending preservation letters demanding the company retain all evidence, photographing injuries as they progress through healing, keeping a journal of symptoms and limitations, saving all receipts and bills, and backing up photographs and documents.
Your attorney can send formal preservation demands requiring the delivery company to retain relevant evidence.
Expert Analysis
Complex cases may require expert witnesses for accident reconstruction, vehicle inspection and defect analysis, medical causation testimony, and economic loss calculations.
Expert testimony often proves decisive in establishing liability and damages.
Working with an Attorney
An experienced delivery accident attorney knows what evidence to gather, how to obtain company records through discovery, when expert witnesses are needed, and how to present evidence persuasively.
Contact an attorney promptly to ensure crucial evidence is preserved and your case is built on the strongest possible foundation.