The United Parcel Service (UPS) is a nationwide delivery service, bringing you and millions of others packages and documents in their familiar brown UPS trucks. As we inch closer toward the holiday season, packages and deliveries will be making their way to homes all across California, and Fresno is no exception.
Package deliveries being made by carriers is one of the most convenient and easy ways to get things, but the tradeoff is that carriers-such as UPS-need to have a fleet of trucks on the road to meet these demands. While most of these deliveries are made without incident, there are still others that result in accidents with other drivers. These accidents can leave you with mounting medical bills and serious pain and suffering, among other damages.
Consult With Experienced Fresno UPS Truck Accident Lawyers
At Maison Law, our top-rated lawyers are proud to represent victims of UPS accidents in Fresno. If your accident happened due to the negligence of a UPS driver or the company itself, working with our team can make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
We provide our services on a contingency basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost for you to work with our team of experienced and dedicated Fresno UPS truck accident lawyers. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.
How Common Are UPS Trucks in Fresno?
UPS is known nationwide for its brown trucks and vans, as well as for its speedy transit times and expansive delivery areas. In order to achieve this, UPS drivers must travel millions of miles every year. Such demands make it unsurprising that accidents occur. Also, UPS’ fleet of vehicles includes:
- Semi-trucks
- Vans
- Box trucks
With so many UPS vehicles on the road, one factor sets them apart in terms of the severity of any accident: their size. The typical UPS truck clocks in at between 16,000 to 24,000 pounds. Compared to the size of the average car, the weight disparity equates to tons of pounds of force in an accident. Obviously, this can lead to serious injuries.
Further, data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that there were 2,840 UPS truck accidents recorded between 2020 and 2022, with 1,015 of these accidents causing injuries and 72 of them being fatal.
Like other large trucks, UPS trucks are responsible for adhering to certain requirements so that they can operate on Fresno’s roads. These requirements include:
- Adherence to driver training requirements
- Meeting truck repair and maintenance requirements
- Mandatory driver records for hours of service
- Drug and alcohol prevention programs for drivers
These rules and regulations have certainly prevented countless accidents from happening since their implementation, saving countless lives, but unfortunately many still suffer serious injuries or death in UPS accidents.
Causes of UPS Truck Accidents in Fresno
Like other parcel delivery services, UPS and their drivers are under extreme pressure to meet the demands of their customers and make deliveries quickly, regardless of weather or other factors that can cause accidents.
Consequently, this daily pressure, combined with the sheer amount of other vehicles UPS truck drivers come in contact with, it’s no surprise that they sometimes drive negligently or carelessly acts out of stress or exhaustion. The fact is, though, that these conditions can lead to serious accidents. Among the other common causes of UPS truck accidents in Fresno, there is:
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inadequate training or experience
- Inadequate inspection or maintenance
- Forgetting to set the parking brake
- Unsecured or excessive cargo
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
The sad reality is that if you’re in an accident with a UPS truck, you are likely to be seriously injured. What this means is that you will need medical treatment, and depending on how injured you are, rather expensive treatment at that. Thus, it’s extremely important that you figure out who is responsible for your injuries so that you can recover compensation.
Common Injuries in Fresno UPS Truck Accidents
Accidents involving moving trucks are very similar to other truck accidents when it comes to injuries that victims might suffer, including:
- Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Strained or torn ligaments
- Cuts and bruises
- Amputations
- Wrongful death
First and foremost, you’ll need to seek medical treatment for your injuries after your accident with a UPS truck. After that, contact one of our Fresno UPS truck accident lawyers for guidance on how to preserve your claim.
Who Is Liable in a UPS Truck Accident in Fresno?
Determining liability for your accident with a UPS truck depends on the circumstances. As a company, UPS could be held responsible for your injuries because of “vicarious liability”, which is a doctrine that holds companies responsible for damages their employees cause.
As it relates to truck accidents, UPS could be held liable if the following occurs:
- The driver acted negligently, causing an accident (speeding, driving under the influence, failing to follow traffic laws, etc.)
- UPS failed to hire competent drivers.
- UPS failed to properly train its of drivers or staff
- UPS did not adequately supervise the driver or staff that loaded the vehicle.
- UPS failed to properly maintain its trucks.
Because accidents with UPS trucks are often so serious, the company will do everything it can to make sure its finances are protected. This includes employing skilled lawyers and extensive insurance policies that cover accidents. Like any claim, insurance companies have one goal: pay you as little as possible and save money for their insured. As a result, you’ll need to be aware of how to approach your claim for damages so that you can get the most out of your compensation.
Filing a Claim Against a UPS Truck in Fresno
Your top priority after a UPS truck accident is your health and recovery. While your injuries are likely severe, getting prompt medical care can give you an idea of the extent of your injuries and get a treatment plan in place. Once on the road to recovery, the next item will be filing an insurance claim (and potentially a lawsuit).
A UPS truck accident claim is a bit different from normal car accident claims in that there may be multiple insurance companies involved. Sussing out the details of the responsible party is something our team of knowledgeable Fresno truck accident lawyers are extremely adept at, so you shouldn’t have to worry about tracking down the responsible party on your own.
What you do need to consider are the potential damages you can recover in a claim, which include:
- Medical bills and costs
- Costs of treatment and therapy
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
Again, the extent of these damages are dependent on your particular circumstances. Just how injured you are and just how traumatic the accident was will factor into any settlement offer you receive, either through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Another key factor should you go forward with a lawsuit is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a deadline in which you can properly file your suit. In California, the statute of limitations for a UPS truck accident personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident.
Compassionate and Dedicated Representation From Fresno UPS Truck Accident Lawyers
Being in a truck accident is no laughing matter, especially if it’s with a UPS truck. These vehicles are everywhere in Fresno, so the likelihood that you’ll run into an accident with one of them is quite probable.
When this happens, our team of experienced and compassionate Fresno UPS truck accident lawyers at Maison Law can help you get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. We handle all the responsibilities of your claim so that you can focus on your recovery. If you would like to get started with us today, contact us for a free consultation.
