Macon DHL Truck Lawyer

Global Logistics Pressure That Falls on Local DHL Drivers

DHL and other delivery trucks are common sights on streets and roads in Macon and across Georgia. These trucks provide important services for people and businesses, but they also ramp up the risk of accidents.

Crashes involving DHL delivery drivers can and do happen. These collisions tend to cause serious injuries because of how massive DHL trucks are and how fast they often travel. Although DHL drivers are trained to operate huge trucks, they also are under pressure to deliver packages “on time,” which can create dangerous situations for everyone on the road.

The Macon DHL truck accident lawyers at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm help people and families who have been injured in a wide range of crashes, including those caused by commercial vehicle drivers. We are experienced attorneys who have dedicated our careers to getting our clients the full compensation available under the law.

Being injured in an accident can be an overwhelming experience. Rising medical bills and difficult insurance adjusters may take your attention away from what is really important, your health and safety. Our attorneys give clients the peace of mind to focus on their physical, mental and emotional recovery because they know that we are fighting to get them the money they deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, our Macon DHL truck accident lawyers are just a phone call away. Call us today at 478-845-6464 to speak with an attorney about your rights and options.

DHL Drivers and the Demand of Delivery

DHL is a truly global shipping and logistics company, with more than 600,000 employees across 200-plus countries. The company, founded in the United States and headquartered in Germany, brings in nearly $100 billion in revenue each year.

While DHL is lesser known than some of its competitors stateside, the yellow and red logo is hard to miss. It is often associated with fast, international shipping, with parcels moving seamlessly from one part of the globe to another.

Behind that logo is a complex, high-pressure logistics machine that stretches from major international hubs to local neighborhoods across the U.S. DHL’s operations connect factories in Asia, warehouses in Europe and delivery points in small-town America. This global network is powered by tight schedules, narrow delivery windows and intense customer demand for speed and reliability.

DHL’s operation depends heavily on a small army of truck drivers and package deliverers working in communities around the globe. These employees are critical to DHL’s mission of speedy and reliable delivery for people and businesses. They are under increasing pressure to hit targets as DHL seeks to compete with Amazon, UPS, FedEx and other rivals.

These drivers operate in a “just in time” world. Tight delivery windows are the result of pressure from across the global supply chain, including retailers, manufacturers and customers. Cargo must move quickly. When thousands of packages are scheduled each day, delays or slow service can disrupt entire networks.

On-time delivery is the biggest source of pressure for U.S. shipping companies, according to a recent survey. Those companies said a shortage of qualified drivers is the biggest threat to their ability to make deadlines.

Meanwhile, drivers who do hit the road are expected to make dozens of stops each day, often covering long distances, navigating traffic and working against the clock. Delivery goals are not simply based on the whims of corporate offices, but also are the result of global customer expectations for faster shipping.

The problem is that global logistics demands often collide with real-world road conditions. The result can be driver fatigue and unsafe driving practices that create safety hazards and increase the risk of crashes. Truck drivers who are running late due to traffic, weather or loading delays naturally feel the temptation to make up time by speeding, driving aggressively and taking fewer breaks.

DHL Truck Driver Fatigue and Distraction Can Be Deadly

Fatigue is one of the most dangerous byproducts of logistics pressure.

Federal law imposes strict hours of service rules on shipping companies and their employees, rules that are meant to prevent overwork and keep exhausted drivers off of the road. But the reality is that many drivers continue to log long shifts with little or no rest.

Local DHL drivers who are falling behind on their delivery schedules may push themselves to the brink by skipping breaks, sacrificing sleep and staying on the road. This can mean operating heavy vehicles while mentally and physically exhausted, a serious hazard for other motorists, pedestrians and the delivery drivers themselves.

Fatigue has been shown to slow reaction times, impair judgment and reduce focus almost as severely as alcohol impairment. It is among the leading causes of large truck accidents, with about 13% of fatal big rig accidents attributable to fatigue, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Fatigue is a contributing factor in as much as 40% for heavy truck collisions, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The risks only rise when fatigue combines with distraction, a common mix for delivery drivers. DHL and other trucks feature a wide range of technology, such as GPS devices, scanning systems, dispatch apps and communication tools. These tools are essential for coordinating routes and tracking parcels, but they also pull a drivers’ attention away from where it should be, which is on the road.

Some of the most common distractions for drivers include:

• Scanning packages while driving
• Constantly updating route information
• Typing or checking delivery status messages

Even a momentary distraction behind the wheel of a massive delivery truck can lead to a serious accident. The frequency of these interactions tend to increase when delivery schedules are tight, heightening the risk.

Compensation for DHL Truck Accident Injuries

Anyone who is injured in a crash caused by a DHL driver has the right to seek compensation from those responsible, including both DHL and the driver.

The money damages typically available in Georgia traffic accident claims includes compensation for doctors bills and other medical costs, as well as missed wages due to time away from work. Compensation often is awarded for medical costs reasonably  expected in the future, along with the long-term impact of an injury on a person’s earning capacity.

Non-economic damages may also be awarded in some cases for pain, suffering and emotional distress. Additional, punitive damages are also handed down in some cases to punish particularly reckless behavior.

DHL was ordered to pay nearly $10 million to a couple injured in an accident in Oregon, for example. The award by a jury in that state included $8 million in non-economic and punitive damages.

The couple reportedly were riding bicycles on an interstate along the Columbia River Gorge when they were struck by a DHL 18-wheeler truck. One of the cyclists underwent a series of surgeries after nearly having his leg amputated, according to a news report.

What To Do If You are Involved in a DHL Truck Accident

The immediate aftermath of an accident is often confusing for anyone involved in the crash. Adrenaline and emotions run high. Along with pain from injuries, this can make it difficult to sort out what happened and what to do next.

This also is a crucial time for determining who is at fault for the collision. Fortunately, there are certain steps that you can take to protect your rights and interests.

The most important thing to do first is seek medical attention. Call 911 right away.

If you are not seriously injured, check on others to determine if they need emergency medical services.

The next step is to alert police. Move your car to a road shoulder if you can do so safely to reduce the risk of a second accident involving oncoming traffic. Remain on the scene until an officer arrives.

Police officers will inspect the crash site, searching for evidence and talking with the people involved in the collision, along with any other witnesses. Cops will then create an accident report, which may or may not identify who the officer believes is at fault in the collision.

You also should try to document the crash scene, if you are not seriously injured. Take photos of the damage to your car and other vehicles, as well as other physical signs of the crash, such as skid marks. Start a list of the other people involved in the crash – drivers and passengers – and any witnesses.

Next, it is vital to contact an experienced traffic accident attorney. The sooner you seek the advice of a seasoned lawyer, the sooner he or she can start to take steps to protect your rights and build your claim.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Helps People Get Back on Their Feet

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon DHL truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping people and families who have been injured through no fault of their own. We fight diligently to protect and defend our clients rights, from the first consultation through final resolution.

Our goal is to help you move on with your life after an accident by getting the full compensation available under the law. Call our team at 478-845-6464 for a free, no-risk consultation.