UPS Truck Accidents
The United Parcel Service (UPS) is one of the largest package delivery services in the world. In order to properly facilitate the delivery of packages throughout this country, UPS makes use of many types of vehicles, including large tractor-trailers and delivery trucks. Unfortunately, there are times when these vehicles are involved in accidents and cause serious injuries to others.
According to data available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were more than 500,000 total police-reported truck accidents across the country during the latest reporting year. Most of these accidents did not involve UPS trucks, but some of them did. Large trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, which means they can inflict significant damage on traditional passenger vehicles. Drivers and passengers inside these vehicles are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed than in a traditional accident.
Who Can be Held Liable for a UPS Truck Collision?
The key to securing compensation after any vehicle accident is determining the fault of the other driver. In other words, you have to prove the other driver’s negligence. After a UPS crash in Sacramento or the surrounding areas, determining fault is crucial. A truck accident attorney can help determine fault if you or a loved one was a victim in a UPS truck accident.
Large commercial trucks and delivery trucks have to abide by different regulations than most other drivers and vehicles on the roadway. There are specific rules and regulations put in place to ensure that large commercial trucks operate safely. These regulations revolve around ensuring proper truck maintenance, ensuring drivers are adequately trained, as well as hours of service requirements, cargo capacity, etc.
UPS delivery trucks and their operators must follow regulations set forth by the FMCSA. These federal guidelines, as well as adjacent state regulations, establish mandatory requirements for safely operating commercial delivery trucks. This includes:
- Ensuring driver training requirements
- Proper maintenance and repair requirements
- Drug and alcohol prevention for drivers
- Mandatory hours of service requirements
If the state or federal regulations are violated, it may be possible to hold the truck driver and UPS liable for these accidents. Additionally, if it is discovered that a faulty truck or truck part was responsible for an accident, it may be possible to hold the truck manufacturer liable.
Causes of a UPS Truck Accident
There are many reasons why a UPS accident may occur in Sacramento or the surrounding areas. Not only do delivery truck drivers have to deal with the usual burdens of operating large vehicles, but they are often under added pressure to deliver packages as quickly as possible. Some of the most common causes of UPS truck accidents include the following:
- Drivers making sudden stops or quick turns while trying to find their destination
- Inadequately trained drivers
- Failing to yield the right of way when merging into traffic
- Reversing the delivery truck without a proper line of sight
- Failing to set the truck’s parking brake
What to Do After a Collision with a UPS Truck
If you or somebody you care about had been involved in an accident with a UPS truck, it is crucial that you work with a skilled Sacramento accident attorney as soon as possible. These cases can become incredibly complicated, particularly because victims have to go up against aggressive insurance carriers and a well-funded company. However, an attorney who has experience handling liability issues surrounding delivery vehicle collisions will be able to use their resources to fully investigate the case, determine liability, and help you secure maximum compensation for your claim.