United Parcel Service (UPS) is a worldwide delivery and supply chain management organization that is well known for its reliable delivery services and extensive logistics network. UPS is perhaps most famous for its iconic brown delivery trucks. Like all vehicles on the road, however, UPS trucks sometimes cause accidents. And when these large, powerful trucks collide with passenger vehicles, serious injuries often result. If you have been hurt in a UPS truck accident, you should contact the experienced attorneys of Ardalan & Associates, PLC for assistance.
Common Causes of UPS Truck Accidents
The causes of UPS truck accidents are similar to those of many other types of motor vehicle accidents. However, the major difference between UPS truck accidents and routine car accidents is that truck accidents tend to be far more severe since commercial trucks are heavier and more powerful than passenger vehicles. Common causes of UPS truck accidents include:
- Speeding
- Inclement weather
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Improper cargo loading
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Compensation for UPS Truck Accidents
The UPS insurance policy carries over $1 million in property damage and bodily injury. However, many accident claims that involve serious injuries can easily exceed UPS’s liability coverage. Large commercial trucks, such as UPS trucks, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo. Passenger vehicles, on the other hand, usually weigh between 3,000 and 6,000 pounds. This significant weight discrepancy means that passenger vehicles absorb a disproportionate amount of damage when involved in an accident with a truck.
Due to this fact, UPS truck accident victims often suffer serious injuries that can require long-term medical treatment. Further, serious truck accidents are often highly traumatic and can lead victims to suffer from PTSD, sleep disturbances, and other types of emotional problems. If you’ve been injured in a UPS truck accident, you may be eligible for the following types of compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Steps to Take After a UPS Truck Accident
Following a UPS truck accident, it’s important to take the appropriate steps to ensure your safety and to strengthen your legal claim. Below is an overview of the steps to take after a UPS truck accident.
Move to a Safe Area
The first thing you should do after a UPS truck accident is move to a safe location out of the road. After doing so, you should check yourself and others for injuries.
Call Law Enforcement
Next, you should call 911 for assistance. Even if there is minimal damage or you don’t believe anyone has been injured, it’s still advisable to call the authorities. Calling the authorities will help establish a record of the accident, which can be useful should you decide to later file a UPS truck accident lawsuit.
Exchange Information
You should also exchange information with the UPS driver. Specifically, you should obtain the driver’s name, contact information, insurance information, and vehicle information.
Document the Scene
Next, you should take photos and videos of the scene of the accident. Footage to document includes the scene of the accident, any vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries.
Obtain Witness Information
If there were any witnesses to your accident, you should obtain their names and contact information. Witness testimony can be useful should you decide to file an accident claim.
Obtain Medical Attention
Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, you should obtain medical attention. Some injuries, such as internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries, don’t always present immediate symptoms. Therefore, it’s important to receive an examination by a medical professional to rule out any hidden injuries.
Report the Accident to UPS
You should also consider reporting the accident to UPS to ensure that they have a record of the incident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Following an accident of any kind, it’s important to notify your insurance company. Most insurance policies require you to report any accident involving an insured vehicle.
Contact Our Thousand Oaks UPS Truck Accident Attorney
Finally, if you’ve been injured in a UPS truck accident, you should contact an experienced UPS truck accident attorney as soon as possible. At Ardalan & Associates, we will diligently pursue financial compensation for you. Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with an experienced UPS truck accident attorney.
Ardalan & Associates, PLC is a personal injury law firm based in Thousand Oaks, also serving all of Southern California, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, and Orange County. We are committed to helping clients involved in personal injury accidents seek justice and navigate their legal journey.