Accidents involving UPS trucks can leave victims with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and a long road to recovery. Unfortunately, many delivery accident victims never receive their needed compensation. If you’ve been involved in a UPS truck accident in New Jersey, it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney to help ensure you are properly compensated.
Reach out to us at Grossman Law. Led by top-rated attorney Scott D. Grossman, we are a local New Jersey accident law firm that has obtained deca-millions in compensation for our clients. We are not afraid to face corporations like UPS and their seasoned insurers. Talk to us in a free consultation, and we’ll guide you on your best next steps. Call Grossman Law at (877) 996-5529 today.
What Makes UPS Truck Accidents Different From Other Crashes?
UPS trucks are large delivery vehicles that operate under strict schedules, often navigating crowded streets and highways. Their size and weight make them more dangerous than standard vehicles in collisions, leading to catastrophic damage and injuries.
Unlike typical car crashes, accidents involving UPS trucks often involve corporate liability. United Parcel Service (UPS) is a massive company with extensive resources, making it challenging for victims to secure fair compensation without legal representation.
What Role Does the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Play?
Like all commercial truck drivers, UPS drivers and their vehicles must comply with regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These nationwide rules aim to enhance roadway safety and include:
- Driver training and licensing requirements – Truck drivers must undergo proper training and obtain the necessary commercial licenses before operating large vehicles.
- Health and physical fitness standards – Drivers must meet specific medical and physical requirements to ensure they are fit to operate commercial trucks safely. Obtaining a commercial driving license involves a vision test, hearing test, and drug-screening urinalysis, to name some.
- Vehicle maintenance standards – Regular inspections and maintenance are required to keep trucks in safe operating condition and prevent mechanical failures.
- Maximum truck weight limits – Fully loaded trucks and trailers must not exceed weight limits set by the FMCSA to ensure safe handling and reduce strain on road infrastructure.
- Drug and alcohol testing – Drivers are subject to mandatory screenings to prevent impaired driving and ensure compliance with federal safety regulations.
- Hours-of-service restrictions – Limits are placed on the number of hours a driver can work per shift and per week, with required rest breaks and off-duty periods to reduce fatigue-related accidents.
Violations of FMCSA standards — such as exceeding weight limits or failing inspections — can be used as evidence in a truck accident case. Your attorney will review whether any FMCSA violations contributed to your accident.
Common Causes of UPS Truck Accidents
Several factors can contribute to accidents involving UPS trucks:
- Driver fatigue – Tight delivery schedules can lead to exhausted drivers, increasing the risk of errors.
- Poor vehicle maintenance – Delivery trucks require regular upkeep, and negligence in maintenance can result in mechanical failures.
- Distracted driving – UPS drivers may use handheld devices for navigation or communication, leading to distractions.
- Road conditions – Potholes, construction zones, and inclement weather can exacerbate risks.
- Speeding – Exceeding the posted speed limits or driving too fast for traffic conditions greatly reduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden hazards, leading to a higher risk of crashes.
- Driving too fast for conditions – Even when within the speed limit, driving too quickly during bad weather, heavy traffic, or on poorly maintained roads can result in loss of control.
- Overloading vehicles – Carrying more cargo than a truck is designed to handle can impact stability, braking ability, and overall vehicle control.
- Poor vehicle maintenance – Failing to perform regular inspections and repairs on essential components, such as brakes and tires, can lead to mechanical failures and accidents.
- Defective vehicle parts – Malfunctions in crucial vehicle components, such as faulty brakes or steering systems, can result in loss of control and collisions.
- Drug or alcohol consumption – Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol can severely impair coordination, decision-making, and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents.
Understanding the cause of the accident is critical for building a strong case.
Who’s Liable in a UPS Truck Accident?
Determining liability in a UPS truck accident involves identifying all potentially responsible parties:
- The UPS truck or van driver – If the driver acted negligently by speeding, driving while distracted, or violating road rules, they could be held accountable for the accident.
- The UPS company – As the employer, UPS may be liable if the accident resulted from inadequate driver training, poor hiring practices, or policies that encourage unsafe driving behaviors.
- The manufacturer of the UPS vehicle – If a defect in the vehicle itself, such as a faulty braking system or steering mechanism, contributed to the crash, the vehicle’s manufacturer may bear responsibility.
- The manufacturer of a vehicle part – If a specific component, like defective brakes or faulty tires, caused the accident, the company that produced the part could be held liable for product defects.
- The party responsible for vehicle maintenance – If the entity in charge of maintaining UPS vehicles failed to perform necessary inspections or repairs, leading to mechanical failure, they might share responsibility for the accident.
- The party responsible for roadway design and maintenance – If the crash was caused by poor road conditions, such as potholes, missing signage, or inadequate lighting, the agency or contractor in charge of roadway upkeep may be liable.
An experienced lawyer will investigate the accident thoroughly to identify all liable parties.
Understanding Compensation for Your Injuries
Victims of UPS truck accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation:
- Medical expenses: Covers hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and future treatments.
- Lost wages: Compensates for income lost due to missed work.
- Pain and suffering: Accounts for emotional distress and reduced quality of life.
- Property damage: Covers repair or replacement costs for your vehicle.
An experienced attorney will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After Being Involved in an Accident With a UPS Truck
If you’re involved in an accident with a UPS truck, remember these things to do to protect yourself and your potential claim:
- Report the accident: Call 911 and ensure a police report is filed.
- Seek medical care: Even if injuries seem negligible, get a proper evaluation from a doctor.
- Document the scene: Take photographs of the accident scene including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Contact an attorney: Speak with an experienced NJ truck accident attorney before discussing the case with insurance companies. We at Grossman Law can help you avoid mistakes when dealing with insurers.
These steps will help protect your rights and strengthen your case.
How to File a Claim Against United Parcel Service (UPS)
Filing a claim against a major corporation like UPS requires careful preparation:
- Gather evidence such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements.
- Work with your attorney to build a strong case demonstrating negligence or fault.
- File within New Jersey’s statute of limitations — typically two years for personal injury cases.
Your lawyer will guide you through each step of the process.
How Insurance Companies Handle UPS Truck Accident Claims
UPS, similar to FedEx and other delivery companies, carries extensive insurance coverage. These insurance providers employ skilled attorneys who work to minimize the compensation they are required to pay. Insurance companies representing large corporations often aim to minimize payouts. They may:
- Dispute liability by blaming other parties or external factors
- Offer lowball settlements that don’t cover all damages
- Delay claims processing to pressure victims into settling quickly.
To ensure you and your family receive the settlement you rightfully deserve, it is crucial to have a knowledgeable and determined New Jersey UPS truck accident lawyer advocating for you.
Why You Need a UPS Truck Accident Lawyer
Navigating the complexities of commercial truck accidents requires specialized expertise. A skilled lawyer can:
- Investigate the cause of the accident and gather evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Ensure you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Without legal representation, victims risk accepting settlements far below what they deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced NJ UPS Truck Accident Lawyer
A UPS truck accident can leave you facing serious injuries, financial burdens, and uncertainty about the future. You don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. At Grossman Law New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer, we are committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims and ensuring they receive the full compensation they deserve. Our experienced legal team will thoroughly investigate your accident, negotiate with powerful insurance companies, and aggressively pursue justice on your behalf.Don’t let a large corporation and its insurers diminish your rightful claim. Call us today at (877) 996-5529 for a free consultation and we’ll discuss your options toward securing your financial recovery. Time is limited to file a claim, so contact us now to protect your rights.