UPS Truck Accidents

UPS trucks are a common sight on roads all over the country, delivering packages to meet the rising demand of online shopping. However, their presence also brings certain risks, especially in busy urban areas. Unlike regular car accidents, collisions with large delivery trucks like those used by UPS often involve significant damage due to the size and weight of these vehicles.

Understanding how these accidents occur and what your rights are after an accident can help you understand how to proceed in a way that is most likely to provide you with fair compensation.

Common Causes of UPS Truck Accidents

Understanding the common causes of UPS truck accidents can be helpful for anyone sharing the road with these large vehicles. Here are some of the most common reasons for these types of incidents:

• Distracted driving: UPS drivers may be looking at GPS systems or checking delivery schedules, leading to lapses in attention.
• Fatigue: Long hours on the road can cause drivers to become incredibly tired, which slows reaction times and increases the risk of accidents.
• Speeding: To meet tight delivery deadlines, drivers might exceed speed limits, making vehicles harder to control.
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Inadequate upkeep of trucks can lead to mechanical failures, such as brake problems or tire blowouts.
• Unfamiliar routes: Drivers might be navigating new areas, which increases the likelihood of mistakes or sudden stops.

If you’ve been injured in a UPS truck accident and believe the driver was at fault, it’s important to reach out to a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

Liability in UPS Truck Accidents

Determining who is responsible for a UPS truck accident involves figuring out the factors that led to the incident. Commonly liable parties include:

UPS Driver 

In many cases, the driver of the UPS truck might be held accountable, especially if they were distracted, speeding, or driving while fatigued. 

Employer Responsibility

UPS as a company can also be liable if it encourages unsafe driving practices, such as overly tight delivery schedules or inadequate rest periods. If the company fails to properly maintain its vehicles, they might share the responsibility in an accident. Additionally, they may be vicariously liable even if they weren’t negligent in any way. 

Vehicle Manufacturers

If a mechanical defect in the truck contributed to the accident, the vehicle or parts manufacturer could be held accountable. This could involve faulty brakes, issues with steering, or defective tires.

Shared Liability

In some situations, the accident victim might also share part of the blame if their actions contributed to the crash, such as by being distracted or failing to follow traffic rules. Even if the victim is partly at fault, they can still seek compensation, though it will be reduced by their level of responsibility.

1. The defense of contributory negligence or of assumption of risk is in all cases a question of fact and shall at all times be left to the jury. If the jury applies either defense, the claimant’s action is not barred, but the full damages shall be reduced in proportion to the relative degree of the claimant’s fault which is a proximate cause of the injury or death, if any.

In any accident involving a UPS truck, identifying all liable parties is crucial for ensuring fair compensation.

For help determining your next steps and who you should try to obtain compensation from, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix.