Paul Van Der WaldeYou’ve certainly seen UPS trucks on the road but probably never imagined running into one. UPS trucks are often fast-moving and heavy, resulting in significant damages when accidents occur. After you’ve been hit by a UPS truck, you should contact a UPS truck accident lawyer. This will give you the best chance to receive fair compensation for your losses.
Before you fight for compensation on your own, you should let your attorneys do all the heavy lifting. They can ensure you get a fair settlement while you focus on your recovery. Reach out to Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys today for a free consultation with a California personal injury lawyer.
Types of UPS Truck Accidents
There are many ways that you can get hit by a UPS truck. Some common types of truck accidents include:
Rear-End Collisions
UPS trucks may collide with other vehicles from behind, especially in situations where the truck driver is following too closely or fails to brake in time.
Intersection Truck Accidents
The truck driver can hit other vehicles at intersections, particularly if the truck driver runs a red light or a stop sign.
Lane Change Accidents
UPS trucks can cause a collision with other vehicles while changing lanes if the truck driver fails to check their blind spots or signal properly.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Commercial truck drivers can hit pedestrians or bicyclists if they fail to see them.
Delivery-Related Accidents
UPS trucks may be involved in accidents while making deliveries, such as when the driver parks illegally or negligently, or when packages fall off the truck and cause other vehicles to swerve or collide.
Common Injuries After Experiencing UPS Truck Accidents
You may be suffering from severe injuries after your crash, making it difficult for you to live a normal life.
- Sprain/Strain: A sudden impact can cause the head and neck to jerk forward and backward, resulting in torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This can cause pain, stiffness, and headaches.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of a truck accident can cause back injuries, such as herniated discs or spinal cord injuries that can result in paralysis.
- Broken Bones: The heavy weight of a UPS truck can cause broken bones, such as fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: A blow to the head in a UPS truck accident can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, and personality changes.
- Internal Injuries: UPS truck accidents can cause internal injuries, such as damage to organs or internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
- Emotional Trauma: Truck accidents can be traumatic events, and victims may experience emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Steps to Take After a UPS Truck Accident
After you have been involved in a UPS truck accident, there are several steps you should take:
Call 911
Call the police to report the accident and request medical services if anyone is seriously injured. They will create a report that includes the details of the accident. This will be important when dealing with your insurance company. Your attorney can help you to take legal action.
Seek Medical Attention
If you or any of your passengers involved in the accident were injured, seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional as some injuries, such as soft tissue injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
Collect Evidence
If possible, collect evidence at the scene of the accident. Take photos of the damage to your car and any other vehicles involved in the accident, as well as the surrounding area. Get the contact information from other involved drivers and any eyewitnesses who saw the accident occur.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Provide them with all of the information you have collected, and be honest about what happened.
Contact UPS Truck Accident Lawyers
Let an experienced California UPS Truck Accident Lawyers help you navigate the legal process and initiate your personal injury claim. They can advise you on your legal rights and help you obtain compensation for your injuries and any property damage.
Follow Up With Medical Treatment
Even if you do not feel injured, you should continue to follow up with medical treatment. Staying consistent will prevent the reduction of your settlement. Keep all records related to your medical bills.
Truck Accident Statistics
Some surprising statistics about truck accidents include the following:
- UPS is attempting to lower the frequency of accidents across its 119,000-vehicle fleet. It was able to do so by 1% in 2017 to an average of 8.95 accidents per 100,000 hours.
- A total of 4,842 large trucks had a fatal crash in 2020.
- Fatal crashes have gone down since 2019 by 5% in large trucks.
- Large trucks typically weigh 10,000 pounds or greater.
- About 9% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes were caused by large trucks.
Why You Should Hire UPS Truck Accident Attorneys
An attorney can help prove who is at fault for a truck accident by conducting a thorough investigation of the accident. As your attorney prepares to file a claim or lawsuit, the following steps may be a part of the process:
Investigating the Accident and Gathering Evidence
One of the primary services that a UPS truck accident lawyer can provide is investigating the accident and gathering evidence. This includes visiting the accident scene, talking to witnesses, and collecting relevant documentation and records. By doing so, the lawyer can build a strong case and determine who is liable for the damages and injuries sustained.
Determining Liability and Filing a Claim
After investigating the accident, a truck accident lawyer can determine liability and file a claim on your behalf. They can review relevant laws and regulations and identify violations that may have contributed to the accident. The lawyer can also help you understand your legal rights and options and guide you through the process of filing a claim.
Negotiating Your Settlement With the UPS Insurance Company
A truck accident lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. They can handle all communication with the insurance company, ensuring that your rights are protected. This can help you receive fair compensation for your losses. They can also help you understand any settlement offers and provide legal advice on whether to accept or reject them.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
A truck accident lawyer can pursue the maximum compensation possible for your damages and losses. They can work with medical professionals to evaluate your injuries and losses and determine the amount of compensation you deserve. Your attorney can also negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to secure the maximum possible compensation.
Representing You in Court
If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, a truck accident lawyer can represent you in court. They can present your case and argue on your behalf to ensure that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve. Your UPS truck accident lawyer can also provide legal guidance throughout the court process, ensuring that your rights are protected at all times.
Who Is Liable In a UPS Truck Accident?
Liability in a UPS truck accident can depend on a number of factors, such as the cause of the accident and the parties involved. Generally, the following parties may be held liable in a UPS truck accident:
UPS
UPS is responsible for the negligence of their drivers. UPS may also be held liable for a truck accident if the accident occurred due to the company’s Independent negligence, such as negligent hiring, inadequate training, poor maintenance, failure to discipline, or improper loading.
The UPS Truck Driver
If the driver of the UPS truck was negligent and caused the accident, they are jointly responsible with their employer UPS for the damages caused, although as a practical matter, UPS will ultimately be the one writing the check.
What If I’m Partially At Fault For My UPS Truck Accident?
California law follows the principle of comparative negligence when it comes to determining fault in a truck accident. This means that even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you will still be able to recover damages from the other party, but the amount you can recover will be reduced by the percentage of fault that is attributed to you.
For example, if it is determined that you were 30% at fault for the accident, and the damages amount to $100,000, you could recover $70,000.
Determining fault in a truck accident can be complicated without an attorney. It involves various factors, such as traffic laws, road conditions, maintenance, logs, driving time, subcontracting with other trucking companies, and the actions of other drivers. It’s recommended that you consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can review the specific circumstances of your case and help you understand your legal options. Reach out to Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys now for a free consultation.