What to Do if a UPS Truck Hits Your Car

Jul 22

Accidents involving delivery trucks can be particularly deadly due to the weight and size of these large vehicles. The FMCSA report shows 2,891 UPS truck crashes happened from 2021 to 2022, with 1,034 resulting in injuries.

If a UPS truck hits your car, you need to take immediate steps to safeguard your health and establish the basis for a winning accident claim. An Indiana truck accident attorney from Blackburn Romey will advise you on the appropriate actions to take in the best interest of your well-being and financial restitution.

Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents

Delivery truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, many of which are preventable. Some common causes include:

  • Delivery drivers often work long hours which may impair their ability to drive safely.
  • Distractions while driving which may divert a driver’s attention from the road.
  • Speeding which increases the risk of accidents.
  • Inadequate maintenance of delivery trucks.
  • Driver’s lack proper training.
  • Poor weather can exacerbate driving difficulties.
  • Reckless driving behaviors such as tailgating.

What Should I Do if a UPS Truck Hits My Car?

If a UPS truck hits your car, take these measures to safeguard your safety and bolster your potential legal claim:

  • Check for injuries and if in need of emergency assistance, call 911.
  • Take your vehicle to safety away from traffic to minimize the risk of additional accidents.
  • Report the accident to the police, which will be vital for your claim.
  • Document the scene, vehicle damages, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
  • Exchange insurance and contact details with the UPS driver and other witnesses.
  • Get the necessary treatment to help establish a doctor’s report on injuries and their extent.
  • Inform your insurer and provide them with all relevant details.
  • Contact and discuss your case with our seasoned Fort Wayne car accident lawyers.

Who Is Liable for a Delivery Truck Accident?

Determining liability in a delivery truck accident involves examining several factors, including what caused the crash. The accident could be caused by one party of many parties, such as:

  • The delivery driver: If the driver was negligent e.g., speeding, they could be held responsible.
  • The driver’s employer: The doctrine of respondeat superior, can hold employers liable if the accident happened while the driver is on duty.
  • Third parties: Other drivers, vehicle manufacturers, or maintenance providers might share liability if their actions contributed to the accident.

Your truck crash attorney will investigate the accident to identify all liable parties. If you also share responsibility, the Indiana-modified comparative fault laws come into play. In this case, you are eligible for compensation, modified based on your degree of fault (IC 34-51-2-7).

Compensation for Damages Following a Proven Negligence Case

If negligence is proven, your truck accident lawyer will assess the impact of the truck accident on your life. They will then document damages for which to seek compensation. These damages include the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Wrongful death benefits in case a loved one lost their life due to the accident

A UPS Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help with Your Case

Handling a delivery truck accident claim can be challenging. You need a UPS truck accident attorney to help prove your case to the liable party and guide you through the legal process. Blackburn Romey will negotiate with the insurance companies and represent you in court. Our services are available across Indiana, specifically in Fort Wayne where our truck accident lawyers provide expert legal representation. We also assist clients in South Bend, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Merrillville, and Terre Haute.

Contact us to discuss your case and learn the best path to secure your rightful compensation.

Tom Blackburn

Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.