UPS Delivery Truck Accident

United Parcel Service, more commonly known as UPS, is one of the biggest delivery companies in the world. UPS is a corporate giant with about 534,000 employees worldwide, delivering more than 25 million packages each day in more than 200 countries. Unfortunately, with that many drivers working to meet strict delivery schedules, crashes involving UPS delivery trucks are common.

If you have been injured in an accident with a UPS truck in Illinois, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. right away. Since our founding more than 40 years ago, our Chicago truck accident lawyers have recovered more than $2 billion in compensation for our clients, including the largest personal injury verdict in Illinois history We know what it takes to hold large companies like UPS accountable for the harm their employees cause, and we’ll be ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

UPS Truck Wreck Causes

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were more than 2,900 crashes involving UPS trucks in one recent 24-month period. FMCSA records indicate this includes 1,053 crashes in which at least one person was injured and 67 accidents in which someone died. While each of these crashes is unique, some of the most common reasons UPS drivers crash are:

  • Poor training — There’s a lot more work involved in driving a large delivery truck than driving a regular car. UPS delivery drivers may not know how to navigate the roads safely and avoid potential accidents without proper training.
  • Inexperience — While training plays a crucial role in preventing delivery truck crashes, experience does as well. It takes time to learn how to handle a UPS truck safely, but hiring more experienced drivers costs money, so the company often opts for less experienced drivers.
  • Shifting cargo — The packages in a UPS truck need to be loaded and distributed properly to minimize the chance of the truck tipping over during a turn. If this cargo isn’t loaded correctly or shifts in transit, the truck might become imbalanced and tip over.
  • Drug and alcohol abuse — UPS drivers are just as susceptible to the effects of drugs and alcohol as any other driver, except they’re behind the wheel of a large delivery truck. Drivers should abstain from alcohol and drugs while on duty. Likewise, corporate supervisors should watch for any signs of substance abuse among employees to avoid these completely preventable wrecks.
  • Driver fatigue — UPS delivers packages at all hours of the day, which can significantly affect delivery drivers. Drivers working early in the morning, late at night, or at the end of a shift could nod off due to fatigue and cause a wreck.
  • Distracted driving — UPS drivers who talk on the phone, text, snack, groom, daydream, look at a GPS device, adjust the music, or are otherwise distracted will have a harder time avoiding a crash and are far more likely to cause an accident.
  • Bad weather — Big, heavy vehicles like delivery trucks can be extremely difficult to handle in poor weather. Rain, snow, ice, and other weather hazards can cause a truck to lose traction, especially if the driver isn’t taking extra precautions.
  • Poor road conditions — Potholes, sand, gravel, and other road hazards can cause a UPS truck to swerve or otherwise lose control, potentially leading to an accident.

Proving Negligence in a UPS Lawsuit

To recover any compensation for your injuries after a UPS delivery truck crash, you will need to show the delivery driver or another party was negligent and that their negligence led to your injuries. In this context, negligence means the driver or other liable party failed to take reasonable precautions to avoid causing a crash.

The potentially liable parties in a UPS truck accident include:

  • The delivery driver — If the driver was drunk, using drugs, distracted, severely fatigued, speeding, driving aggressively, or otherwise negligent, they could be held liable for a crash. 
  • Corporate leadership — Delivery companies, including UPS, are required to monitor their drivers for drug and alcohol abuse and other potentially dangerous behaviors like speeding and aggressive driving. The company should also hire experienced, safe drivers. If the corporate leadership failed in any of these duties, they could be liable for an accident.
  • Maintenance workers — Delivery trucks are bigger and heavier than most other vehicles, which means they are more susceptible to wear and tear over time. If maintenance workers do not notice worn parts or make sloppy repairs, they could be liable for a resulting wreck.
  • Cargo loaders — The packages in a UPS truck need to be stacked in a precise manner to keep the truck stable and minimize the chances of a crash. If the workers who loaded the packages failed in this duty, they could also be liable for a collision.

Damages Recoverable in UPS Truck Accident Cases

Recovering compensation after a UPS truck accident isn’t easy, but with help from a lawyer, you may be able to obtain a UPS injury settlement for:

  • Lost income
  • Reduced earning potential due to a disability
  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering from your injuries
  • Emotional distress
  • Any damaged personal property

UPS Truck Accident FAQs

Here are a few of the most common questions we get about UPS truck accidents in Illinois:

Are Dash Cameras Installed on UPS Trucks? 

UPS trucks are usually equipped with dashboard cameras and in-vehicle surveillance cameras to help prevent drivers from being distracted or other dangerous behavior. This footage can be immensely valuable in a personal injury case, but you need to act quickly and talk to a lawyer after a crash to obtain it.

What Happens If a UPS Truck Crashes? 

If you are involved in an accident with a UPS truck, call 9-1-1 immediately. While you’re waiting for police and emergency medical personnel to arrive, get the driver’s information and information on their corporate insurance policy. Document the scene with your phone as best you can. Next, see a doctor. After you’ve begun medical treatment, talk to a lawyer.

Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for a UPS Accident? 

There’s nothing to stop you from pursuing a claim against UPS on your own after an accident. However, that’s a lot of work if you’ve just suffered serious injuries. An attorney can help you build a strong case for compensation while you focus on getting better. 

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Today

Don’t be intimidated by UPS if you have been injured in a crash with one of their delivery trucks. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard today for a free consultation with one of our UPS accident lawyers. We put your needs and rights first so that you can receive the compensation you deserve.