United Parcel Service (UPS) is a multinational delivery and supply chain management company with nearly 126,000 vehicles on the road. Like all commercial carriers, UPS is subject to federal regulations that influence everything from hiring new drivers and maintaining vehicles to loading cargo safely. In spite of these regulations, however, accidents involving UPS trucks still occur — and can leave injured victims uncertain of how to proceed with a personal injury claim.
Commercial vehicle accidents not only are more destructive than typical car accidents, but can also be more complicated from a legal standpoint due to the involvement of multiple parties and insurance providers. In an average collision, you must prove only that the at-fault driver is legally liable; in a commercial vehicle accident case, however, the employer can be held directly or vicariously liable.
The good news for UPS accident victims is that the company is required to carry $1 million in liability insurance coverage per accident to cover bodily injury and property damage. The bad news is that, like most companies, UPS is reluctant to admit fault and may use its vast resources to avoid paying out a personal injury claim.
A commercial vehicle accident lawyer will help you fight for the financial recovery you are owed to compensate for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and other losses, both economic and non-economic.
Why You Should Contact a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible
The first step you should take after an accident is to obtain any necessary emergency medical care and contact the authorities so that there will be an official report of the accident. After that, consult a truck accident lawyer in Austin, who will do the following:
Communicate and Negotiate on Your Behalf
Soon after the event, insurance adjusters for the other parties will attempt to contact you and have you speak on the record about the accident. They will be ready to use anything you say to devalue or deny your claim, and they may even try to convince you not to hire a lawyer — which is all the more reason to have an experienced legal representative in your corner.
Determine Cause and Legal Liability
Identifying and proving legal liability may require an in-depth investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Your lawyer will begin by examining the basic facts in the police report, and then dig deeper to uncover anything that can add value to your claim.
The FMCSA Safety Measurement System profile on UPS shows that the top violations in a 24-month period included speeding, lane restriction violations, failure to obey traffic devices, and using a handheld mobile phone while operating a commercial motor vehicle. Although it was the driver’s decision to speed, drive recklessly, or drive while fatigued, a close review of internal company documents may reveal that the company was not doing enough to ensure that drivers could complete their routes without feeling rushed, or were pressuring drivers to work longer shifts than hours-of-service regulations allow.
Any number of company violations could be lurking beneath the surface of your case: failure to perform background checks, failure to maintain vehicles, failure to properly load freight, and more. Any aggravating factors that can demonstrate corporate negligence will bolster your personal injury case.
Prove Your Injuries
It’s important to seek medical care immediately after your accident, not only to ensure your physical health but to preserve your case. Even if you suspect that your injury is not serious, you should get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Do not wait to see if it gets worse. Create a paper trail from day one that can be used to demonstrate that the accident caused your injury.
How FVF Can Help
The dedicated commercial vehicle accident lawyers at FVF Law Firm have the expertise to challenge a company like UPS and succeed on behalf of our clients. We offer free, no-commitment consultations so you will not feel alone and confused while making crucial decisions about your future — whether or not you ultimately decide to hire us. Contact us today to schedule your free, remote consultation, and put yourself in the best position to receive financial recovery.
