Amazon, UPS, and FedEx are the top three shipping companies in the United States. Every year, they ship goods over millions of miles of roadways. With so many trucks on the road, it’s no surprise that accidents are a common occurrence.
If you suffered injuries in an accident with an Amazon, UPS, or FedEx truck, you may face many long-term difficulties. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a severe truck accident can be debilitating. But the idea of seeking compensation against a large company may seem daunting, especially when you’re still in recovery.
This guide outlines how Amazon, UPS, and FedEx each handle truck accident claims and the many ways a lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Who’s Responsible for Amazon, UPS, & FedEx Truck Accidents?
There are some similarities between a standard passenger vehicle crash and a truck accident. However, the legal process can be complex, and you may require guidance from an experienced truck accident attorney.
It may seem obvious that the driver of the truck is at fault for an accident, but many other factors can come into play. For instance, if a truck component fails, you could pursue the manufacturer of the defective product as well as the company that owns the truck.
Examples of parties you could hold responsible in a truck accident include:
- The truck driver
- A third-party driver
- The truck driver’s employer
- The truck’s owner
- The truck’s maintenance or repair company
- The truck’s manufacturer or distributor
- Local government or other entity responsible for road maintenance and repairs
- Construction company responsible for road disruptions or obstacles
An attorney familiar with Amazon, UPS, and FedEx truck accidents can help you establish fault. They will review the evidence to determine all causes of the accident and include all responsible people and entities in your claim.
How Amazon Handles Truck Accidents
After more than 10 billion deliveries, Amazon has 400,000 drivers worldwide, 40,000 semi-trucks, and 30,000 vans—and growing.
Amazon often hires independent contractors to distribute their goods, especially over the holidays. If a contractor caused the accident, you could pursue compensation against the driver’s personal insurance. If the accident was due to Amazon’s scope of work, you could also seek compensation through Amazon’s liability insurance.
As one of the largest companies in the world, Amazon has extensive resources to fight accident claims. Therefore, it’s best to work with a lawyer with experience in handling Amazon truck accident cases.
How UPS Handles Truck Accidents
United Parcel Service (UPS) maintains a fleet of more than 130,000 semi-trucks for shipping and smaller box vans for delivery. UPS employs its drivers, so as a company, UPS is liable for truck accidents. If a UPS driver caused your injuries, you can file a liability insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
To file a claim against UPS, you must prove that the UPS driver’s negligence caused your accident and that the accident injured you. Their insurance company will try to reduce your payment as much as possible, so you can benefit from having an aggressive attorney on your side. A lawyer who handles UPS accident claims can help you compile evidence to prove your truck accident claim.
How FedEx Handles Truck Accidents
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) maintains approximately 35,500 vehicles with over 42,000 drivers. Unlike UPS, FedEx drivers are all classified as independent contractors. If you’re involved in an accident with a FedEx driver, you could file a claim against the driver’s personal insurance, the third-party contracting company, or FedEx.
To prove fault after a FedEx truck accident, you must show that the FedEx driver caused the accident. You must also prove that FedEx or third-party contractor policies contributed to the accident.
Proving Fault With Multiple Liable Parties
To prove fault against Amazon, UPS, or FedEx, you must establish that the accident was due to company practices or policies. For example, if the driver sped to meet tight delivery deadlines, you could hold the company accountable for the resulting accident.
Truck accident attorneys understand the complexities of shipping and delivery operations. They can guide you through the claims process and help you pursue a fair settlement value from all responsible parties.
Protect Your Legal Rights After an Amazon, UPS, or FedEx Truck Accident
After an accident with an Amazon, UPS, or FedEx delivery driver or shipping vehicle, you have a legal right to seek compensation for your injuries. The responsible party (or parties) will try to find reasons to reduce or reject your claim, mainly because they do not want to pay a high settlement.
To protect your legal right to fair compensation, take the following steps after your truck accident:
Take Photos and Videos of the Accident Scene
Your truck accident claim hinges on proof that the Amazon, UPS, or FedEx driver caused the accident. Taking photos of the accident scene can help your attorney reconstruct the accident timeline.
Be sure to document:
- Final resting place of all vehicles
- Skid marks (or lack thereof)
- Vehicle damage
- Damaged guard rails, medians, curbs, or other road features
If you’re too injured to take photos at the accident scene, do not worry. Your attorney can return to the scene to take photos for you. They may also request copies of videos from local businesses, traffic cameras, dashcams, and witnesses.
Obtain Witness Contact Information
If you can, request contact information from anyone who saw the accident. You do not need to ask them for a statement right away. Your truck accident lawyer can request information when they begin your accident investigation.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders Exactly
Even if you feel fine, follow your doctor’s instructions for treatment and therapy, including taking medication and going to physical therapy as prescribed. If you fail to follow your treatment plan, the other party could argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
To protect your legal right to fair compensation, hire an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. While you recover from your injuries, your lawyer can seek the evidence needed to prove your case. Because evidence quality degrades over time, it’s in your best interest to speak with an attorney right away.
Do Not Make an Official Statement
Avoid making any statements before you speak with an attorney. Anything you say can be viewed as an admission of fault. If you must make a statement to the police or your insurance company, stick with the facts. Do not make any guesses about the cause of the accident, and never claim fault. You can decline to make an official statement until after you speak with your lawyer.
Do Not Agree to a Settlement Verbally or in Writing
Some insurance companies will ask you to agree to a settlement right at the accident scene. Avoid committing to a settlement either verbally or in writing until you speak with your attorney. These initial offers rarely cover the full value of your losses after a truck accident.
Do Not Sign Anything Before Consulting Your Lawyer
The insurance company or their representative may ask you to sign a statement or waiver of liability. Either of these documents can compromise your ability to seek the full settlement value of your truck accident injuries. Always have your lawyer review any paperwork before you sign.
Do Not Discuss Your Claim With Anyone Except Your Attorney
Until you complete your case, you should not make any social media posts or even talk about the case on the phone. Anything you say about the case can compromise your claim, so remain silent until you receive your settlement.
Truck Accident Risks on the Road
Long haul truckers and local package delivery drivers clock millions of miles every year. With so many hours on the road, accidents are common.
Unfortunately, many truck accidents are due to preventable causes, such as:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while tired
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Poor weather conditions
- Uneven or poorly maintained roads
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the three most common causes of truck accidents are driving while intoxicated, speeding, and distracted driving. Recent studies do show an increase in positive drug test results for American workers.
If you or a loved one suffered a truck accident injury because of someone else’s negligence, an attorney can help you claim compensation for your losses.
Recoverable Damages After an Amazon, UPS or FedEx Truck Accident Injury
The settlement value for an Amazon, UPS, or FedEx truck accident injury varies depending on your case. Your truck accident lawyer can seek the highest possible compensation from all liable parties.
The damages your lawyer may seek for your truck accident claim include:
- Economic damages: Property damage, medical bills, lost income, reduced future income, in-home nursing, domestic assistance, assistive devices, medical equipment, medications, etc.
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, reduced quality of life, loss of enjoyment, loss of use, loss of consortium, etc.
If the truck driver or shipping company’s negligence caused your injuries, you should not have to pay for the costs associated with your losses.
How Insurance Companies Will Likely Challenge Your Truck Accident Claim
Amazon, UPS, and FedEx earn billions of dollars in revenue every year. These companies have the resources to fight against any allegations of negligence.
Tactics they may use to lower your settlement value or deny your claim include:
- Offering a lowball settlement in the hopes that you will accept less than you deserve
- Shifting the blame for the accident to reduce their liability
- Asking you to sign a waiver of liability or settlement agreement that prevents you from taking further legal action
- Looking at your social media or even observing your daily activities to attempt to prove that your injury claim is invalid
- Intimidating you in phone calls, written communication, or in-person meetings
- Refusing to negotiate settlement terms or denying your claim altogether
Truck accident lawyers are familiar with these tactics and know how to counter them. Your attorney can guide you through the legal requirements and policy limitations associated with Amazon, UPS, and FedEx claims.
Trust a Truck Accident Lawyer to Represent Your Best Interests
Going up against a giant corporation can seem impossible, even if you aren’t recovering from severe injuries. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. Partner with an attorney who specializes in truck accident cases, so you can focus your energy on recovering.
When you work with personal injury lawyers, you gain a team of advocates for injury victim rights. Your attorney can represent your best interests at the negotiating table and in the courtroom, even against powerful corporations.
When you hire a legal team to work on your truck accident claim, they can:
- Reconstruct your truck accident
- Compile evidence to prove fault
- Establish the value of your claim against Amazon, UPS, or FedEx
- Submit a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent you before a judge and jury
You Likely Have a Limited Amount of Time to Act
Time is of the essence in most truck accident cases. You may only have a few years to file your injury lawsuit, so it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your truck accident attorney can help you understand the time limits associated with your claim and handle all the legalities, so you can take the time you need to get better.
Reach out to an Attorney Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a severe or catastrophic injury in an accident with an Amazon, UPS, or FedEx truck, you could seek compensation for your losses.
Most law firms offer free consultations to personal injury victims, so they can review your case and help you determine the best way to proceed. Contact an attorney to get started.