Most United Parcel Service (UPS) drivers are safe, responsible drivers.
UPS drivers are also rewarded for safety. Drivers who deliver for UPS for more than 25 years with no accidents are inducted into the company’s Circle of Honor. As of February 2017, there were over 9,300 members, including:
- Tom Camp, who has been driving for UPS in Michigan for 56 years without an accident.
- Ron Sowder of Ohio, who was accident-free for 50 years upon his retirement in 2012.
- Ronald McKnight in New York City, who is in second place among current drivers at 49 years accident-free.
- Walter Beasley, who has delivered UPS packages in Connecticut for 46 years.
Their secret to these drivers’ success is a robust driver safety program based on “Five Seeing Habits,” which include looking as far down the road as possible, maintaining proper following distance, and constantly scanning the road.
Another interesting fact: UPS has designed its vehicle routing software to avoid left turns. Not only is it safer (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that in 22.2% of crashes, the critical event was turning left), but they estimate it saves them 10 million gallons of fuel per year, and six to eight fewer miles driven per route. Avoiding unnecessary left turns is a smart driving strategy.
About UPS
Founded over a century ago, UPS has grown into one of the largest private delivery companies in the world, with more than $66 billion in revenue, 374,000 U.S. employees and a delivery fleet of about 119,000 – that’s a lot of vehicles.
UPS trucks are regulated on the federal level, by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which issues strict guidelines that all truck drivers, including UPS drivers, must follow.
According to information released by UPS’ own Risk Management Department, UPS vehicles are required to have liability insurance up to a limit of $1 million.
This is good news if you are in an accident with a UPS truck: the liability limits are significantly higher than they would be if you were in an accident with an ordinary passenger car. Auto insurance liability limits for passenger cars vary state by state, but typically are much smaller
Despite UPS’s impressive record of safety, accidents still happen. What should you do if you get in a collision with a UPS driver in America?
Who Can Be Held Liable in a UPS Accident?
In an ordinary car crash, the at-fault driver is usually the only one who can be held liable.
In a UPS vehicle crash, however, the company itself might be held liable, along with the driver. This is because, based on the legal theory known as vicarious liability, employers may be held liable for the actions that their employees take within the scope of their employment if these actions are negligent and lead to the injury of another party.
There may also be other parties who may be held liable, depending on the circumstances, including the manufacturer of one of the vehicles involved, or the agency responsible for designing or maintaining the roads. These will vary, and you should consult with your experienced personal injury attorney before filing a suit against any one of these.
What to Do After a UPS Accident
If you have been in a collision with a UPS truck, there are a few steps you should take in the immediate aftermath, for both your health and your legal/financial well-being:
- Seek medical attention for yourself or others. If you or another party is injured, call 911, even if your injuries seem minor. Many accident injuries are more serious than they may seem at first. If you don’t think you are injured, you should still have a check-up by a doctor as soon as possible. If you are injured, and decide to file a claim, the sooner you begin documenting your damages, the better your case will be.
- Obtain UPS driver’s contact information: name, phone number, and insurance information.
- Gather evidence. If you can, take pictures of the accident scene from as many angles as possible and ask for the contact information of any witnesses who were present. Also, speak to the police officer who responds to the accident, to add your version of events in the police report. Save all your medical records, including those for all subsequent treatment.
- Contact your insurer.
- Do NOT provide any statement or speak to anyone from UPS or their insurance company. Anything you say may be used to undermine your case. Refer them to your attorney.
If you have been injured in a UPS accident, then we can help. Our firm has extensive experience dealing with this type of accident, and we know how to take on big companies and win. Call TorkLaw today at 888.845.9696 for a FREE consultation.