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The United Parcel Service, or UPS, is one of the world’s largest package delivery services. The company is reliable, and trusted by many individuals and businesses to promptly deliver packages on time. However, many UPS trucks are responsible for a number of serious injuries and deaths each year.
Statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, show that in 2018 alone, there were more than 5,000 fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses. Large trucks, such as a UPS truck, can weigh up to 20,000 pounds making them difficult to maneuver. Drivers of smaller vehicles and their passengers are five times more likely to be seriously injured or killed as a result.
Not every truck accident is the same. Accidents involving delivery trucks, like those belonging to UPS, are complicated because there are many factors, laws and regulations at play. Multiple parties may be liable for damages or losses that result from an accident.
If you have been injured in a truck accident with a UPS driver, you should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights to financial recovery.
Who Is At Fault in a UPS Truck Accident?
To have a successful personal injury claim against a UPS driver, you must be able to prove that the UPS driver was negligent and that his or her negligence caused your injuries. In the trucking industry, there are specific state and local laws that delivery truck drivers must follow, including local traffic laws. These regulations were created to protect other drivers on the road, ensuring that delivery tuck drivers operate their large vehicles safely. Requirements could include regularly scheduled maintenance, stringent driver screening, and time limits on the hours a truck driver can be behind the wheel of a vehicle.
UPS trucks and their operators are subject to the federal regulations set forth by the FMCSA. These specific laws establish mandatory requirements for the safe operation of commercial delivery trucks and include:
- Driver training requirements
- Maintenance and repair requirements for trucks
- Drug and alcohol prevention programs for drivers
- Mandatory driver recording for hours-of-service
If you have been involved in an accident with a UPS driver, you should schedule a free consultation with our law firm to determine whether or not you have a case against UPS for negligence. Together, we can review the facts of your case and see if the delivery driver at fault was complying with FMCSA regulations at the time of the accident. From there, we will begin building your case.
What Are Common Causes of UPS Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents may be caused by a number of factors - bad roads, poor weather, improper truck maintenance, and driver negligence to name a few. These factors are compounded by the added pressure UPS drivers feel to promptly deliver packages on time.
Common causes of UPS truck accidents are:
- Sudden stops or quick turns
- Failure to yield when merging into traffic
- Inadequate training
- Placing the delivery truck in reverse without proper line of sight
- Failing to properly set the truck’s parking brakes
- Driver fatigue
Hiring A Truck Accident Attorney
If you have been involved in a truck accident with a UPS delivery driver, you should seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Accidents involving delivery drivers can be complex, and it may be difficult to determine who is liable for your injuries.
At The Law Office of Elliott Kanter, we have helped hundreds of clients recover the compensation they need to make a full financial recovery after an accident. We will work with you to gather accident reports, police records, photographs, witness testimony, and any other evidence that will support your case. We will also explore all avenues of recovery, leaving no stone unturned so that those responsible for your injuries are held accountable.
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
