Are Delivery Services Causing Car Accidents?

October 25, 2021

One of the things that we do not normally think about, but is an actual concern, are the amount of car accidents that are caused by the increased number of delivery drivers on the roads and highways of Philadelphia. There are so many new delivery services cropping up, with new apps, making it easier to receive items at our homes. This is a great convenience, but it can come at a cost of increasing the amount of traffic, thus increasing the amount of accidents.

Increased Number of Delivery Apps

With the creation of the gig economy, there are many more people working side jobs that have been created by delivery apps and ridesharing services. The popularity of these side gigs is due to their flexibility and easy way to earn extra money with your own vehicle. There are many delivery apps that have been created over the past several years. Most people have heard of delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Gopuff, just to name a few. The bottom line is that with increased delivery traffic, there will be an increased number of accidents.

Increased Traffic Accidents

Studies have shown that when delivery services are offered in a specific region, the traffic accidents in that area increase by up to three percent. There are many reasons for this, including the following:

Delivery drivers are paid not by the hour, but by the delivery. Also, most services will allow the drivers to receive tips. This creates an incentive to drive fast to complete as many deliveries as possible during a shift. The more deliveries, the more money and tips the driver will make. Speeding is always considered one of the main reasons for car and truck accidents.
Not only are delivery drivers speeding in order to complete deliveries quicker, but also they are usually traveling in areas of which they are unfamiliar. Take for example, the Philadelphia metropolitan area. This is a huge area with thousands of miles of roads and highways. When people drive in areas where they are not used to the road conditions, directions, traffic control devices, and other factors, they are prone to get into an accident. Then when you add driving too fast to the mix, it is a recipe for disaster.
Many delivery drivers need to park illegally to deliver their services. This can also create a hazard when they block the roads.
So-called deadheading causes delivery app drivers to spend a lot of time aimlessly driving on the roads and highways. The deadheading refers to delivery drivers driving around waiting for their next customer and order. Studies have found that delivery drivers and rideshare drivers can spend up to 50 percent of their time deadheading. This creates increased traffic on the roads and creates the opportunity for more accidents.
There is usually little to no training for delivery app drivers to make sure they are safe drivers. Most companies who engage gig economy delivery drivers will do a background check on the individual. Also, the drivers must prove that they have a valid driver’s license and that they maintain proper insurance on their vehicle. But usually, that are all the requirements needed. There is no way to determine whether the driver is safe.

Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. Help People Seriously Injured in Car Accidents

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident with a delivery driver, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. The Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. will fight for your rights to get the full and fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at 215-569-9100 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.