The Shoulder
The Shoulder
75
patient-bison-234

Delivery truck backed into me in a crowded lot — driver says it's MY fault??

I'm still kind of in shock about this. Yesterday I was slowly pulling through a busy shopping plaza parking lot — like creeping along, probably 5 mph max — and out of nowhere a large commercial delivery truck reversed right into the front corner of my car. Hit the driver's side pretty good. My door is warped now and won't latch properly, and there's visible frame damage near the wheel well.

Here's where it gets infuriating: the driver climbed out and immediately started telling me I should've seen him backing up and that I "drove into his path." There were at least a half-dozen of their company trucks scattered across that lot making deliveries — it was chaotic. I genuinely didn't see any brake lights or movement before impact.

I called the police and got a report filed, took photos of everything, and got the driver's info plus the company's fleet vehicle number. My neck is sore today and I've got a dull headache I didn't have yesterday, so I'm also a little worried about that.

His whole "you got in my way" argument seems ridiculous to me — isn't the person reversing always responsible for making sure the path is clear before they move? Or am I missing something? Has anyone dealt with a commercial company's insurance after something like this? I don't even know where to start and I'm nervous they're going to try to pin this on me because their driver already set that narrative up.

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12 replies

  • 10
    genuine-newt-049

    The company's insurance adjuster is going to come in friendly and "just asking questions" but they are absolutely building a case to share or shift blame onto you. Do not give them a recorded statement without understanding what you're walking into. That driver already planted the seed that you were at fault — the adjuster heard that report before you ever called.

    • 2
      plainspoken-sidewalk316

      Saving this whole thread. Really appreciate the honesty here.

  • 8
    careful-newt-869

    I used to work claims for a regional carrier and I'll tell you exactly what's happening on their end: the driver filed his version first, so that narrative is already in the system. Commercial fleets often have dashcams too — their legal team will pull that footage immediately. You need to formally request preservation of that footage in writing ASAP, because they have zero obligation to hand it over voluntarily and "accidental" deletion happens more than you'd think.

    • 9
      honest-traveler502

      Really glad you posted an update — gives the rest of us some hope.

  • 21
    daring-beaver-832

    Generally speaking — and this is NOT legal advice — the operator of a reversing vehicle has a duty to ensure the path is clear before and during backing. That doesn't mean fault is automatic, but it's a meaningful starting point. The fact that it's a commercial vehicle actually adds a layer because the company itself can carry liability, not just the individual driver. Worth at least a free consultation with a PI attorney given the property damage and your physical symptoms. Most won't charge you anything upfront.

  • 17
    silent-raven-593

    Please don't brush off that neck soreness and headache. Symptoms from whiplash or soft tissue injuries often don't fully show up until 24-48 hours after impact — sometimes longer. Go get checked out, even if it's just urgent care. Make sure everything is documented in your medical records with the date and that you mention the accident explicitly. That paper trail matters a lot if symptoms get worse.

  • 16
    mellow-mole-803

    A few practical things: First, write down your entire account of what happened right now, with as much detail as you can remember — time, direction you were traveling, where the truck was, everything. Memory fades fast. Second, hold onto every receipt related to this: towing, rental car, any medical visits. Third, the police report number is gold — get a copy as soon as it's available. And yes, go back to that plaza and ask about security footage like the other person said. That's urgent.

    • 8
      swift-raven-016

      Ugh, this makes me so angry just reading it. You're dealing with the shock of the accident, your car is messed up, you're physically hurting, AND you have to fight someone who's already trying to make it your fault? Please take care of yourself first — see a doctor — and lean on people around you while you figure out the next steps. You don't have to handle all of this alone.

  • 16
    careful-marten-253

    Stop talking to their insurance company without representation, period. You've got property damage, possible injury symptoms, and a commercial carrier with a legal team already working the case. This isn't a fender-bender between two people with personal policies. Get a PI lawyer on the phone this week.

  • 15
    bold-fox-522

    I'm not saying the truck driver is right, but a couple of things would help fill out the picture — were you driving in a marked lane in the lot or cutting through open space? Was there any signage indicating the area was used for deliveries or truck traffic? I'm not blaming you, just thinking about what the other side is going to argue.

    • 0
      hopeful-optimist582

      Curious whether you did this on your own or had help with it.

  • 10
    calm-marmot-376

    Almost the exact same thing happened to me with a commercial van two years ago. The driver told the insurance company I came out of nowhere. What actually saved me was a nearby store's exterior camera that caught the whole thing. Seriously — go back to that plaza TODAY and ask the businesses near where it happened if they have footage. A lot of them only keep recordings for 24-72 hours before they overwrite.