Delivery Truck Accidents in Ohio

A delivery truck accident often involves box trucks with lengths ranging from 10 to 26 feet and weights that can range from 12,000 to 20,000+ pounds in Ohio. Accidents involving any large truck can cause life-altering injuries or death.

Fatigue, negligence, mechanical issues, shifting cargo, and other factors can contribute to these types of accidents. Let Ohio Truck Accident Help investigate your accident and hold all negligent parties responsible.

Ohio Delivery Truck Accidents Are on the Rise

Ohioans and businesses receive shipments from delivery trucks every day. You’ll see delivery trucks on major interstates, such as I-70 and I-71, Main Street in Bedford, West 25th Street in Cleveland, and across the state.

Busy streets are becoming the norm throughout Ohio, but there are multiple reasons why delivery truck accidents are on the rise:

Scheduling Pressures on Delivery Trucks

Truckers are under increasing scheduling pressure as demand grows for freight. From delivery drivers to truckers behind the wheel of tractor-trailers, there’s pressure to get more done, faster.

Tight scheduling is one cause for increasing accidents, but it’s a deeper issue:

Quotas set by employers are often unrealistic.
Penalties punish drivers for late deliveries.
Incentives reward drivers for early drop-offs.
Last-mile demands are rising, causing significant time crunches.

Consequences of scheduling pressure often lead to accidents: speeding and reckless driving, driver fatigue, reduced safety checks, following too closely, and improper lane changes.

Truck Driver Fatigue

Long hours, few breaks, and high quotas contribute to driver fatigue. Delivery drivers can work 10+ hour days, with early morning and late-night shifts impacting sleep schedules.

Over 13% of all commercial vehicle accidents in Ohio involve driver fatigue, which causes:

Slower reaction times: Fatigued drivers are slow to respond to road hazards, brake on time, and react to sudden changes in roadway traffic.
Impaired judgment: Decision-making also suffers from fatigue, causing drivers to go through red lights or stop signs, tailgate, or speed.
Drowsiness: Drivers may nod off or experience microsleeps, both of which are dangerous.

What Causes Delivery Truck Accidents?

Delivery accidents are often preventable and caused by negligence. Multiple parties may be at fault for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses. Negligent parties may include:

In addition to driver fatigue and pressure to meet deadlines, here are some of the many causes of delivery accidents in Ohio:

Distracted Truck Driving

Distracted driving led to 120 serious injury crashes and 10 fatal crashes in 2024 alone in Ohio. Many of these accidents involve commercial vehicle drivers who are checking their GPS or communicating with dispatch on the road.

A 5-second distraction is all it takes to go over a football field on one of Ohio’s major roadways: I-70, I-71, I-75, or the Ohio Turnpike.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

All drivers have a duty of reasonable care. Speeding through city streets to deliver a package, weaving in and out of traffic, and ignoring traffic signals or signs are common forms of negligence in delivery crashes.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Section 4511.19 of the Ohio Revised Code states that no person shall operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers found to be under the influence may face criminal and civil liability charges in an accident.

If the driver is impaired at the time of the accident, it justifies punitive and compensatory damages.

Intentional Driver / Company Misconduct

Stress from long hours and meeting quota requirements can cause intentional misconduct. Drivers may become aggressive, tailgate you, and even intentionally hit another vehicle in a fit of rage.

These circumstances fall under intentional misconduct.

Improper Vehicle Maintenance
Unsecured or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Pressure from Employers

Liability in Ohio for Delivery Truck Accidents

Delivery truck accidents are rarely straightforward. Multiple parties may share in the liability, including:

The Delivery Driver’s Employer

If the driver was working at the time of the accident and driving the company’s vehicle, their employer may be liable under Ohio’s vicarious liability law. For example, if a delivery driver rear-ends a car while delivering packages, the employer can be held liable.

An employer can also be held liable if:

They have negligent hiring practices. For example, they hire a driver with a poor driving record or failed to train the driver properly.
They violate trucking regulations. Although delivery trucks are typically smaller than semi-trucks, they may still be subject to FMCSR regulations, such as hours-of-service regulations. Violations may be considered recklessness.

Vehicle Maintenance Companies

Delivery companies often employ maintenance companies to keep their vehicles in optimal condition and make repairs as needed. If a repair company fails to maintain the vehicle properly and causes an accident, it may be liable.

Truck Part Manufacturers

When accidents are caused by vehicle malfunctions or defective parts, manufacturers may be held liable under Section 2307.71 of the Ohio Revised Code. Product liability claims may be brought forward due to brake system failures, faulty steering systems, or tire blowouts caused by manufacturing defects.

Cargo Loaders/Shippers

Unsecured packages, unbalanced loads, or overloading delivery trucks can create hazardous conditions that lead to accidents. If the delivery truck’s cargo was loaded improperly, the party responsible for loading may share in the liability.

Ohio’s comparative negligence statute will also impact your claim. Your own level of fault will impact your recovery. Under Ohio law, compensatory damages are reduced by the plaintiff’s proportion of fault.

Legal Options After a Delivery Truck Accident

Delivery drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and follow traffic laws. If they breach this duty and their negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

But proving negligence can be complicated. Multiple parties may be involved. The delivery company may try to shift the blame onto you. Preserving evidence and acting quickly is critical. Having a skilled lawyer on your side can make all the difference.

Compensation in Delivery Truck Accident Claims

When negligence leads to accidents and injuries, victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages, which include:

Medical care: Emergency care, treatments, ongoing care, therapy, and hospitalization at Ohio hospitals like Cleveland Clinic or Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Future medical care: Costs associated with future care you will need for your condition, including long-term care or disability accommodations.
Property damage: Damage to your personal property, or repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
Lost wages: If you’re forced to take time off of work due to your injuries, you may be compensated for lost income.
Emotional anguish: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and the emotional trauma you suffer from the accident.
Pain and suffering: Physical pain you suffer due to the crash, along with diminished quality of life.

In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be pursued.

How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Truck Accident Claim

Personal injury claims are complex. An attorney can help you navigate the legal system to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Here’s how an attorney can help with your claim.

Conduct an investigation: An attorney will conduct an investigation and gather evidence to support your claim, including witness statements, surveillance footage, black box data, police reports, and other relevant evidence.
Identify liable parties: Multiple parties may be liable for damages. An attorney will examine the facts and consult with experts to identify all responsible parties.
Negotiate and communicate with insurance companies: An attorney will advocate for your interests, push back against lowball settlement offers, and negotiate directly with insurers to secure a fair settlement.
Calculate the value of your claim: Determining the value of your claim is a complex process. An attorney will take into account the cost of your medical care (current and future), property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages to ensure you pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Help you focus on your recovery: An attorney will take the stress out of the claims process, so you can focus on the most important thing: your health.
Take your case to trial if necessary: If the other party refuses to come to a fair settlement, your attorney will take your case to the courtroom.

FAQs – Ohio Delivery Truck Accidents

How Can Delivery Truck Accidents Be Prevented?

Several steps can be taken to prevent delivery truck accidents. Trucking companies can start by enforcing reasonable delivery schedules and avoiding pressuring drivers into meeting unrealistic deadlines. Limiting driving hours, providing proper training, optimizing routes, and creating a safety-first culture can also help reduce the risk of accidents.

What Should I Do after a Delivery Truck Accident?

If you are involved in a truck accident, the first and most important thing to do is to call 911. Your health and safety are the top priority. Seek medical attention, even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe. Gather evidence if it is safe and you are physically able. Then, call an attorney to discuss your options.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Ohio?

Under Section 2305.10 of Ohio law, injured victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Time is of the essence if you are injured in a truck accident. Working with a skilled attorney will help ensure you meet this deadline and protect your ability to pursue maximum compensation in your case.

Injured by a Delivery Truck? Get Ohio Truck Accident Help

A delivery truck accident can cause serious, devastating injuries. High medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering are some of the losses we’ll pursue as your Ohio truck accident lawyers.

At Ohio Truck Accident Help, we’ll conduct the investigation, gather evidence, and work to prove fault to help achieve the best possible outcome in your case.