Pedestrians struck by delivery vehicles suffer serious injuries due to the size and weight of these vehicles and the lack of protection for people on foot. Understanding how to pursue claims against delivery companies helps pedestrian accident victims recover fair compensation.

Why Delivery Vehicles Are Dangerous to Pedestrians

Delivery vehicles have significant blind spots that make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, especially when backing up or making turns. The boxy design of delivery vans creates blind zones that smaller vehicles don't have.

Frequent stops in residential and commercial areas put delivery vehicles in close proximity to pedestrians. Unlike through-traffic, delivery vehicles are constantly entering and exiting the flow of traffic, creating repeated hazard opportunities.

Time pressure encourages rushing through areas with pedestrian activity. Drivers focused on making deliveries may not exercise appropriate caution around crosswalks, sidewalks, and parking areas.

Common Pedestrian Accident Scenarios

Backing accidents occur when drivers reversing to reach delivery locations strike pedestrians behind them. Limited rear visibility makes backing particularly dangerous.

Intersection accidents happen when drivers making turns fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, or proceed through intersections without checking for foot traffic.

Parking lot accidents involve pedestrians struck in shopping center lots, apartment complexes, and other areas where delivery vehicles operate among people on foot.

Residential accidents occur when delivery drivers strike pedestrians—including children—in neighborhood streets and driveways.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way

Pedestrians generally have the right of way in crosswalks, and drivers must yield to them. Even outside crosswalks, drivers have duties to exercise care to avoid striking pedestrians. Delivery drivers cannot assume pedestrians will stay out of their way.

Failure to yield to pedestrians constitutes negligence that supports injury claims.

Company Liability

Delivery companies are vicariously liable for their employees' negligent driving. For independent contractor drivers, other theories—negligent selection, agency, or control-based arguments—may establish company liability.

Companies that fail to train drivers on pedestrian safety, or that create time pressure incompatible with safe operation around pedestrians, bear responsibility for resulting injuries.

Severity of Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrians struck by delivery vehicles suffer devastating injuries because they have no protection from impact. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries from head impact, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, multiple fractures including pelvis and legs, internal organ damage, and death from collision force.

Even "low speed" collisions can cause catastrophic injuries to pedestrians.

Evidence in Pedestrian Cases

Important evidence includes the accident scene (crosswalk markings, sight lines, traffic controls), witness statements about what happened, traffic camera or surveillance footage, the delivery vehicle's black box or telematics data, and medical records documenting injuries.

Preserving evidence quickly is essential—witnesses disperse, memories fade, and surveillance footage may be overwritten.

Comparative Fault Defenses

Delivery companies often argue pedestrians share fault—they weren't in a crosswalk, they stepped out suddenly, or they were distracted. While pedestrian conduct may affect recovery in comparative fault states, it rarely eliminates claims entirely when drivers were negligent.

Drivers have duties to watch for pedestrians even when pedestrians aren't behaving perfectly.

Damages for Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrian accident victims can recover medical expenses (often extremely high for severe injuries), lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Wrongful death claims apply when pedestrians are killed, allowing families to recover for their losses.

Pursuing Your Claim

If you were struck by a delivery vehicle, seek immediate medical attention—pedestrian injuries are often more serious than initially apparent. Document your injuries, gather witness information, and contact a personal injury attorney experienced in pedestrian accidents.

Delivery companies have insurance coverage to pay valid claims. Don't let liability defenses discourage you from pursuing full compensation.