What are the Obligations of Delivery Truck Drivers? North Carolina Truck Accident Guide

Whether operating a small van or a massive tractor-trailer, drivers of delivery trucks in North Carolina have an obligation to follow commercial safety requirements and traffic rules. When they fail to fulfill those obligations, a truck accident attorney can work to hold them and the companies they work for liable for the resulting injuries and damage.

What are Delivery Truck Drivers Required to Do in North Carolina?

The specific obligations will depend on the type of truck driven, the route, the cargo, and other factors. Generally, a delivery truck driver will be required to:

• Drive in a manner appropriate to the weather and road conditions
• Obey traffic laws such as speed limits and traffic signals
• Avoid driving while impaired
• Not allow distractions to take their attention from the road
• Secure cargo properly
• Inspect the vehicle for potential hazards before operating
• Take reasonable precautions when delivering cargo

In addition, there is a general obligation to take reasonable actions to avoid foreseeable collisions.

Many companies put drivers on the road with little or no training, and these drivers may not understand basic responsibilities and cause collisions. Trucking companies are often more interested in sending in lawyers to shut down legal liability after an accident than in investing the effort to ensure that their drivers know how to meet their obligations so they can avoid accidents in the first place. It is important for truck accident victims to work with injury lawyers who know how to hold trucking companies accountable for the harm caused by their irresponsible actions.

What Are a Delivery Driver’s Responsibilities Before Starting a Route?

Before starting out on a route, a delivery truck driver should inspect the truck for potential safety hazards, ensure that cargo is loaded properly, and plan a safe route that accounts for traffic, road restrictions, and locations that offer opportunities for safe unloading and deliveries. Equipment to be checked should include:

• Tires
• Mirrors
• Lights
• Brakes
• Steering

If the driver notices a potential concern before starting out or at any time while driving, the responsible thing to do is get the feature checked by a mechanic and keep the vehicle off the road if it is not safe to drive.

In addition to the equipment needed to drive, it is important to check to see that cargo is properly balanced and secured so that it won’t make the truck unstable or come loose. Unsecured cargo can become a dangerous distraction, and it can fall from the truck, creating a hazard on the road.

What Are Delivery Truck Drivers’ Responsibilities While Driving?

The main responsibilities delivery truck drivers have while driving their routes involve obeying traffic laws, keeping their attention focused on their driving, and adjusting their driving to account for current conditions. Some of the most critical traffic laws that get overlooked by delivery drivers in a hurry to complete a route include:

• Lane rules
• Stop signs
• Speed limits
• Traffic lights
• Yielding right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists

Many drivers do not realize that North Carolina statutes include a rule requiring drivers to maintain a “reasonable and prudent” following distance when driving behind other vehicles. Violation of this law can lead to rear-end collisions and multi-car chain-reaction accidents.

FAQs About Delivery Truck Drivers

What are the most common causes of delivery truck accidents?

Distracted driving is generally considered to be the most frequent cause of accidents involving any driver including delivery truck drivers. Instead of paying attention to the road, drivers may be focused on:

• Following GPS directions
• Responding to communications (both personal and business)
• Eating and drinking so they don’t have to take breaks
• Looking for an address or instructed drop location
• Reviewing logistics regarding particular packages or delivery requests

Besides distracted driving, fatigue, lack of familiarity with the vehicle, and driving too fast for conditions are also common causes of delivery truck accidents. Delivery drivers worried about keeping to a schedule often fail to slow down appropriately in situations where rain, poor visibility, fog, ice, construction, and other conditions make driving particularly hazardous.

Does a delivery truck driver have responsibilities while the truck is stopped?

A delivery truck driver’s obligations do not stop when the parking brake is on. Drivers can be held liable for parking in places that block traffic or pose other dangers. In addition, they must take adequate precautions before backing up or pulling away after a stop.

What happens when a delivery truck driver fails to meet one of their obligations?

When a driver does not meet obligations and a truck accident attorney can prove that the failure was the proximate cause of a collision, the driver may be held liable for the injuries and property damage that result.

Is the trucking company responsible when a driver fails to fulfill obligations?

A truck accident lawyer may be able to hold the trucking company responsible either vicariously or directly when a delivery driver’s actions trigger a collision. If the driver is an employee or the trucking company exercises substantial control over the driver’s operation, then the company could be vicariously liable for the driver’s actions. If the driver is independent, the trucking company might still be found liable if their practices contributed to the cause of the accident. For instance, an attorney might persuade the court that the company’s scheduling policies put so much pressure on the driver that the policies encourage unsafe driving practices. Or the attorney might prove that the trucking company failed to check the driver’s qualifications or promised training that was never provided.

Are there special safety rules for delivery truck drivers?

Federal laws impose additional obligations on drivers of certain types of trucks, and drivers can also be subject to specific requirements by the company they work for or the state or local government where they are operating. A truck accident attorney can review the details of a situation and determine the specific requirements that should have been followed, such as restrictions on hours of operation or the route taken.  

Martin & Jones Knows How to Hold Trucking Companies Responsible

Delivery trucks are a fact of life that we simply cannot ignore based on consumer purchasing patterns. When trucks are not operated safely, it will be important to establish liability so that accident victims can receive full compensation for their medical needs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other consequences.

At Martin & Jones, we know how to stand up to the aggressive tactics of corporate insurance teams and trucking company lawyers. We can anticipate their arguments and prepare evidence to refute their claims. To discuss what may be possible if you were hurt in a truck accident, call us at 800-662-1234 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.