The United Parcel Service is the largest shipping carrier in the nation and has a satisfactory rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. UPS delivers over 23 million packages almost every day, and more and more people have opted to forego trips to the store and have things delivered to their homes.
Unfortunately, UPS accidents still happen and can result in devastating consequences. When an accident is caused by negligence on part of UPS or one of its workers, victims may be able to seek a personal injury claim to recover compensation with the help of a Houston personal injury lawyer.
Most Common Types of UPS Accidents
UPS uses a type of truck they call package cars to bring their parcels to airports and individual addresses nationwide. The majority of injuries involving UPS employees are traffic accidents, including:
- Truck and car accidents. A typical UPS accident involves a UPS truck crashing into another vehicle. This can happen if a UPS driver sideswipes a car, cuts off a passenger car, or runs a traffic light or stop sign. Collisions have taken place when a UPS driver was in the wrong lane or failed to stop for a car in front of them. UPS vehicles were involved in 2844 traffic collisions in the 24 months leading up to November 2021, including 64 fatal collisions.
- Pedestrian accidents. UPS drivers colliding with pedestrians is another common type of accident. This can happen at crosswalks, intersections, driveways, parking lots, and other places where people commonly walk. If a UPS driver backs up over a pedestrian who is behind the truck, it can be especially dangerous.
- Injuries caused by cargo. Loading and offloading cargo can result in injury, though it is less common. Trucks that are overloaded can also increase the risk of a traffic collision.
When fully loaded, UPS trucks are larger than sedans and other passenger cars and can weigh up to five tons. This weight translates to significant force in a collision with a car or a passenger, which can inflict serious injuries.
What Causes UPS Accidents?
In some cases, a UPS truck accident is caused by circumstances beyond the driver’s control. A child could run into the road, or the road could be in poor condition, resulting in a collision. Many accidents are preventable and are caused by:
- Time pressure. UPS drivers have a deadline to meet when it comes to delivering parcels and packages. This can lead to inattention, driver stress, or speeding, which can all lead to traffic collisions.
- Human error. A driver may miss a traffic sign or misjudge a distance, causing a crash.
- Fatigue and distraction. UPS drivers work hard, but when their managers overwork them, UPS delivery personnel can become overwhelmed or overtired. This causes response times to slow and mistakes on the road to happen. Similarly, drivers may not be able to focus fully on driving if they are interrupted by dispatch or their employer, or if they are in unfamiliar areas without adequate support.
- Inadequate training. UPS is in charge of ensuring that all of its drivers are properly licensed and trained for the job. Drivers who are inexperienced or poorly trained are more likely to cause collisions.
- Failure to follow traffic laws. UPS drivers who do not yield, stop at stop signs or otherwise break the rules of the road are unpredictable. They may cause a collision because other drivers are unable to react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
- Negligence. To attract qualified drivers, UPS has a screening and vetting policy. The company is responsible for ensuring that their drivers are not in danger on the roads, but some drivers may simply be careless with their driving responsibilities. While out making deliveries, they may be breaking UPS safety policies, driving under the influence, using a mobile device instead of staying focused on the job, or engaging in other risky behavior.
It can be difficult to tell what caused a UPS truck accident right after it happens in many cases. Many injured drivers and pedestrians hire a personal injury lawyer in Houston to get answers and pursue any compensation they may be entitled to.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Houston
You should never pursue a personal injury claim without the help of a Houston personal injury lawyer. West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD is here to help you obtain fair compensation after being injured in an accident.
Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD and Nader Rabie, JD are here to help you make a complete recovery after a severe car accident.
Contact West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD immediately at (713) 840-7200 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation if you or a loved one has been unfairly injured in a traffic accident.
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