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FEDEX ACCIDENT AND UPS ACCIDENT CLAIMS IN HOUSTON

fedex accident ups accident claim

In most auto accidents, whoever caused the accident will be held liable for damages. However, it is much easier to determine who the responsible party is when the accident involves two passenger vehicles. But what about accidents involving delivery trucks, such as Fedex and UPS trucks? In these cases, there are multiple potentially liable parties. It can be difficult to determine liability on our own, especially when you’re recovering from a serious injury. Contact the commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Reich & Binstock about your Fedex accident or UPS accident claim.

At Reich & Binstock, we understand how frustrating it can be to see your medical bills pile up after an accident, especially if you’re unable to work. You have the right to hold all responsible parties accountable for your property damage and injuries caused by the accident. To schedule a free consultation with our experienced truck accident lawyers, please call our office at 713-622-7271 today.

What Happens When a Fedex or UPS Truck Gets in an Accident?

When a UPS truck, Fedex truck, or other delivery truck gets into an accident with a passenger vehicle, the consequences could be catastrophic. Due to the relative size and weight of a Fedex or UPS truck in comparison to a passenger vehicle, these collisions have the potential to cause a lot of damage. They also pose unique risks to other vehicles in how they maneuver through city streets. While large 18-wheelers are not permitted in neighborhoods, UPS and Fedex both have smaller box vans and trucks that can make deliveries in these areas.

Delivery drivers, much like truck drivers, have long, busy, strict schedules that they must adhere to in order to do their jobs. This means that they’ll be in and out of local roads that they may or may not be familiar with. They’ll also frequently move into and out of busy city traffic in order to get where they need to go. Another unique risk that comes with box trucks is how top-heavy they are. In the event of a sharp turn or a crash, UPS and Fedex trucks are more likely to tip over than the average car.

If you were injured by a Fedex or UPS truck when the accident occurred, you have the right to seek financial compensation from all responsible parties. This may include negligent drivers, the delivery or trucking company, or another party. Speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer to determine how to proceed with your claim.

Do UPS and Fedex Drivers Get Fired After an Accident?

This depends on a few factors. Generally, getting in one accident won’t spell the end of line for a Fedex or UPS driver. Rather, UPS specifically states that drivers who get into three accidents within a year can be terminated. They can also lose their jobs if they are found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.

Who Has More Accidents, UPS or Fedex?

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Delivery drivers are expected to adhere to high standards set by their employer, both while driving the truck and while delivering packages. However, not all accidents can be prevented. So, between UPS and Fedex, who has more accidents? According to data from the NHTSA, UPS has more accidents each year than Fedex. Keep in mind that this could simply correlate to the fact that UPS has six times the number of delivery vehicles on the road at any given time.

One study over a 24-month period ending in December 2017 found that UPS was involved in 2,003 crashes, while Fedex was involved in 1,762 crashes. Of those thousands of accidents, there were 689 injuries in UPS crashes and 575 injuries in Fedex crashes. Additionally, 49 deaths occurred from UPS accidents, while 41 deaths occurred from Fedex accidents.

What Causes Delivery Truck Accidents?

Many causes of delivery truck accidents are similar to the causes of other types of vehicle crashes. Some examples of these common causes include fatigue, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, or texting while driving. However, there are other delivery truck accident causes that are more specific to these types of vehicles.

  • Sudden stops: A Fedex or UPS driver will be expected to make a lot of stops throughout their day. When they make multiple sudden stops in neighborhoods, other drivers may not realize that they’ve applied their brakes or stopped entirely. This can then lead to a crash.
  • Backing up: Sometimes, a Fedex or UPS driver may need to put their vehicle in reverse in order to make a delivery. Negligence at the wheel could become the cause of an accident in this situation.
  • Long hours: Just like semi-truck drivers, delivery drivers often work long, hard hours. In fact, UPS and Fedex drivers have even more strenuous jobs since they have to lift and carry packages. The job also involves a lot of stepping up and down, which can really put strain on the knees. Drivers who do all this in a day are likely to be fatigued toward the end of the day, so they may be more prone to making mistakes while driving.

How Common Are Fedex and UPS Accidents?

In general, Fedex and UPS truck accidents are not as common as other types of commercial vehicle accidents. However, thousands of accidents still happen each year. Several hundred of these accidents result in serious injuries, and around two dozen are fatal. Compared with semi truck accidents, delivery truck crashes are less common. However, there are far fewer Fedex and UPS trucks on the road than there are semis.

Fedex and UPS truck accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. It is crucial that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Take care of your injuries and seek medical attention. The sooner you do this, the better, as it will more closely connect your injuries with the crash.

Who Is Liable for UPS and Fedex Truck Accidents?

ups accident

There are a number of potentially liable parties in a delivery truck accident, depending on all the vehicles involved. Generally speaking, whoever caused the accident can be held liable in a personal injury case. You’ll need to gather evidence from where the accident happened in order to properly determine fault. The following parties could bear responsibility for causing or contributing to the accident.

  • The Fedex driver or UPS driver
  • Company the driver works for, through vicarious liability
  • Another driver on the road
  • Manufacturer of a defective truck part
  • Mechanics who failed to properly maintain the truck
  • Shipping companies that improperly load cargo onto the truck

Proving liability after a UPS truck accident can be difficult on your own. Working with an attorney can help the process go much more smoothly.

Injuries from Fedex and UPS Truck Accidents

As with other commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents have the potential to be very serious. Below, we list some of the most common injuries resulting from UPS and Fedex truck crashes.

How to File a Delivery Truck Accident Claim

delivery truck accident

Filing these claims on your own can be challenging, but working with a delivery truck accident lawyer helps tremendously. This is especially true if you’re recovering from injuries you sustained in the accident. Not only will our attorneys help gather evidence, statements from witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf, but we’ll also deal with your insurance company for you.

Although the negotiation process may feel intimidating, you’ll have our team of seasoned lawyers on your side. We won’t let the delivery and insurance companies push you to accept a lowball settlement offer. If necessary, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and litigate on your behalf.

The way that you file your claim and seek damages will differ depending on the facts of your case. If the delivery driver was an employee of the delivery company, you’ll likely file a claim with that company’s insurance. However, if the driver was an independent contractor, you’ll likely file a claim with the driver’s insurance. Speak with an attorney for more information about how your claim may be handled.

Contact a Houston Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today

At Reich & Binstock, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with filing a claim while you’re recovering from injuries. That’s why we’re here to do all the heavy lifting for you. If you’ve been seriously injured due to negligence, our Houston personal injury lawyers are here for you. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with us, please call our office today at 713-622-7271. You can also fill out our online intake form.

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