Every year, there are a staggering number of fatal accidents that involve one of the 125,000 plus UPS vehicles. A large fraction of their fleet comprises trucks – from the familiar brown delivery vans that come to your door, to monster triple-trailer semi-trucks carrying freight on America’s highways. In recent years, there has been an explosive increase in trucks on the roads as more people opt for home deliveries and online shopping.
Unfortunately, if you’re involved in a crash with a heavy vehicle, such as a UPS semi-truck, it’s unlikely that you will survive unscathed. Furthermore, being in a UPS truck accident brings up a host of complex legal and regulatory issues. Any UPS truck involved in an accident will involve the company, too. This is due to the legal principle respondeat superior or ‘vicarious liability’, where an employer is held responsible for the behavior of their on-duty employees. You need a UPS truck accident attorney near you, to protect your legal rights and procure maximum compensation.
UPS Regulations to Prevent Accidents
If you’ve ever wondered why UPS drivers seem to be in a mad rush all the time, it’s because they’re on ridiculously tight schedules, with hectic routes, and an infinite number of rules and regulations that they’re supposed to adhere to. This strict set of rules is referred to as the “340 methods” and is supposed to increase efficiency, safety, and hazard avoidance. The most important one is that drivers may not work more than 60 hours per week. Some other rules are avoiding left turns and backing up wherever possible.
UPS truck drivers are continuously tracked and monitored by technology, and their every move is scrutinized. Regardless of these protocols, with so many trucks on the road, there are approximately 1,400 accidents per year, or 3 to 4 reported UPS truck crashes every day. Roughly 500 of these caused injuries and 28 accidents involving UPS trucks are fatal.
Factors that Cause UPS Delivery Truck Accidents
Although UPS has a reasonably good safety record, some UPS truck drivers may not take adequate care on the road. It’s also possible that circumstances beyond the driver’s control may cause a UPS delivery truck accident.
Reasons for an accident with a UPS truck may include:
- Speeding due to trying to stick to the schedule.
- Tiredness or drowsiness.
- Distractions on the road.
- Improperly loaded or overweight trucks.
- Mechanical problems that may arise without warning.
- Faulty vehicle design or manufacturing defects.
- Unsafe highway conditions.
- Inclement weather conditions.
- Traffic signaling problems.
Steps to Take Immediately After a UPS Truck Accident
- Check on the State and Safety of Everyone Involved: Don’t move any critically injured people as you may worsen their condition.
- Dial 911 Immediately: Inform the dispatcher of any injuries, so that they can notify emergency services. Don’t speak to anyone before the police arrive. Give the officers a factual description of events, but never admit liability.
- Gather as much Information as Possible: Exchange information with the driver, including driver’s license, license plate number, contact, and insurance details. Remember that in some cases, a UPS driver may be an independent contractor carrying their own liability insurance. Use a phone to take photos or videos of the vehicles and accident scenes to show damage, traffic signs, lights, and road conditions. Where possible, collect witness details and statements.
- Seek Medical Treatment: Even if you believe you’re uninjured, you must be evaluated by a doctor and receive a medical report. Sometimes head, neck, back, and deep tissue injuries are not apparent until later.
- Call a UPS Truck Accident Attorney: A UPS-appointed insurance adjuster or company representative will likely call you after the truck crash. Be very careful what you say as this may be used to ascribe liability to you. You must procure the services of a specialized UPS truck accident lawyer near you, who has the experience and expertise to handle negotiations with UPS and their insurer, and file the documentation for your claim.
Conclusions
If you are involved in a crash with a UPS truck in Seattle, WA, contact Kevin Coluccio Law. With nearly 35 years of experience and over $300 million in personal injury compensation, he is renowned as one of the Best Lawyers in America in personal injury litigation. His life-long mission is to protect your rights and achieve maximum compensation for your loss and personal injury. Contact Kevin Coluccio today to personally handle your case with the utmost dedication.
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