What’s brown, yellow, and seen all over? United Parcel Service (UPS), of course! UPS trucks are a common sight on Florida’s roads, especially in busy regions. These large delivery vehicles are essential for getting packages to doorsteps on time, but when something goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating. If you’ve been injured in a UPS truck accident, you may be wondering what your rights are and how to seek compensation.
At Brooks Law Group, we understand the challenges of taking legal action against large corporations. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of suing UPS after a truck accident, the types of injuries commonly suffered, how liability is determined, and what compensation may be available to you.
What are the most common injuries after a UPS truck accident?
Because of the sheer size and weight of delivery trucks, accidents involving UPS vehicles can result in severe, life-altering injuries. These trucks can easily weigh 10,000-30,000 pounds, depending on the cargo and vehicle type. When they collide with smaller vehicles or pedestrians, the damage can be cataclysmic.
Common injuries we see most often in UPS truck accident cases include:
- traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- spinal cord injuries leading to partial or complete paralysis
- broken bones
- internal bleeding and organ damage
- severe burns or lacerations
Individuals injured in accidents with a UPS truck often face long recovery periods, mounting medical bills, and a complete disruption of their lives. That’s why it’s crucial to speak with a UPS truck accident lawyer in Florida as soon as possible.
For a free legal consultation, call 800 529 3030
What types of UPS trucks cause the most accidents?
UPS operates a fleet of various delivery vehicles, including:
18-wheelers are used by UPS for long-distance and bulk deliveries.
- Package delivery trucks (the familiar brown vans!)
- Box trucks
- Tractor-trailers (18-wheelers), used for long-distance or bulk deliveries
While all types of UPS trucks have been involved in accidents, larger vehicles like box trucks and tractor-trailers are particularly dangerous due to limited maneuverability, large blind spots, and longer braking distances.
In many cases, these vehicles are driven on highways or in densely populated suburban areas, where high speeds and sharp turns increase the risk of crashes. Factors contributing to accidents with UPS trucks are:
- distracted or fatigued drivers
- inadequate training or supervision
- poor truck maintenance
- overloaded or unbalanced cargo
- speeding to meet delivery deadlines
Who is liable in a UPS truck accident in Florida?
Understanding liability in a UPS truck accident
When you’re injured in a UPS truck accident, determining who is legally responsible is a critical step in recovering damages. Unlike a typical car crash, where you file a claim against another driver’s insurance, cases involving large corporations like UPS require a more detailed investigation.
UPS may be held liable in several ways:
Vicarious Liability
Under Florida’s statutes, employers can be held responsible for the actions of their employees while on the job. If a UPS driver caused an accident while performing their duties, UPS itself may be liable.
Negligent hiring or supervision
If UPS hired an unqualified driver or failed to properly train or monitor them, the company could be directly at fault.
Vehicle maintenance failures
If poor maintenance (e.g., brake failure, tire blowouts, or burned-out headlights) caused the accident, UPS or a third-party maintenance contractor could be liable.
An experienced UPS truck accident lawyer in Florida will investigate every aspect of the incident to identify all possible sources of liability. With big companies, multiple parties may share responsibility.
What if the UPS driver was an independent contractor?
Occasionally, UPS uses third-party delivery services or contractors. These drivers may not technically be UPS employees, which can complicate your case. However, even if a driver is a contractor, you may still be able to pursue a claim against UPS if:
- the driver was wearing a UPS uniform
- the truck had visible UPS branding
- the delivery was scheduled and managed by UPS systems
Courts often look at the degree of control UPS had over the driver’s schedule and conduct. Your lawyer can help navigate these complexities to ensure you pursue the right party for compensation for UPS truck accidents.
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How to file a lawsuit against UPS
Here’s our step-by-step process to sue after a UPS truck accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a UPS truck, here’s what to expect when pursuing a lawsuit:
Seek medical attention immediately
Even if your injuries seem minor, get evaluated right away. This not only protects your health, but also provides documentation essential to your claim.
Contact a UPS truck accident lawyer in Florida
UPS has teams of corporate lawyers and insurance adjusters ready to protect their interests. You need someone in your corner who understands how to hold these companies accountable.
Preserve evidence
Your attorney will gather crash reports, witness statements, video footage, driver logs, truck maintenance records, and more to build your case.
File an insurance claim
Your lawyer will file claims with UPS’s insurer or any other liable party’s insurer. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your case may proceed to court.
Negotiate or litigate
Many cases dealing with compensation for UPS truck accidents settle out of court. However, if the company refuses to pay what you deserve, your lawyer will be prepared to take your case to trial.
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What compensation can I recover after a UPS truck accident?
Those injured in a UPS truck accident in Florida may be entitled to compensation for:
- medical expenses (from the moment of the accident and into the future)
- lost wages and loss of future earning potential
- pain and suffering
- property damage
- emotional distress
- permanent disability or disfigurement
- wrongful death
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means even if you were partially at fault for the crash, you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% responsible. This is yet another example of the importance of an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Talk to a UPS truck accident lawyer in Florida today
Suing a giant corporation like UPS might feel intimidating, but you don’t have to walk through it alone. At Brooks Law Group, we’ve helped people from throughout the state of Florida.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a UPS truck accident, contact Brooks Law Group today to get started. We’re your trusted personal injury lawyers in Kissimmee, Florida. We offer free consultations and you don’t pay unless we win, thanks to our contingency fee.
Look to Brooks if you were injured in an accident with a UPS truck!
Call or text 800 529 3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
