According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 2,636 UPS vehicle accidents have occurred in the United States in the last two years. 895 of these crashes involved injuries, and 70 were fatal. If you were injured in a UPS truck accident or lost a loved one in a UPS crash, you need knowledgeable legal representation to help you navigate the complex process of filing a claim involving one of these vehicles. Linebaugh, Dority & Allen, LLP can help.
The Demanding Job of a UPS Truck Driver
According to UPS, the company delivered an average of 22.3 million packages daily, totaling 5.7 billion packages in 2023. With the proliferation of online shopping and competitive business models based on delivering packages quickly to customers, UPS drivers are in high demand and under tight deadlines. If they fail to meet these stringent requirements, they can lose their jobs or miss out on monetary incentives.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents Involving UPS
Understanding the UPS business model can help you better understand why so many accidents involving UPS drivers occur. Common causes of UPS accidents include:
- Speeding – Drivers may go faster to try to meet their unrealistic delivery deadlines.
- Aggressive driving – Drivers might try to beat a red light, make fast turns, weave between lanes, and follow too closely to reach their destination faster.
- Unsafe stops – Drivers may fail to engage the safety brake or drive in reverse if they notice they missed a stop.
- Distracted driving – UPS drivers use computer systems to plan the most efficient delivery route. The vehicles also have timers and GPS trackers installed in them to monitor drivers’ performance. Drivers can be distracted by these units and alerts.
- Fatigued driving – UPS drivers might be tired from their long shifts and driving all day, which can lower their reaction time and alertness.
- Vehicle maintenance issues – UPS vehicles drive many miles, so they need more maintenance and repairs than a typical passenger vehicle. But if one of the trucks is off the road, this can negatively impact the billions of dollars in revenue the company receives, which can create a disincentive to keep vehicles regularly maintained.
- Unsafe loading – Packages that are not loaded properly can shift during transit, making the truck unbalanced or causing distractions while the driver is transporting them.
While drivers may cause accidents, UPS can be held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. An experienced truck accident attorney can review your case and explain your legal rights and options for pursuing financial compensation following a UPS accident.
Contact a Texas UPS Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Filing a claim after a UPS truck accident can be a confusing and intimidating process. The experienced truck accident lawyers with Linebaugh, Dority & Allen, LLP can investigate your case, handle communication with insurance companies, and handle all of the legal details while you focus on your recovery. Call us at (713) 766-1432 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.