What To Do if a UPS Truck Hits Your Car

January 25, 2023 Truck Accidents

The convenience of e-commerce and online shopping in today’s age comes with change, and one of those is becoming accustomed to seeing delivery trucks hauling packages all over Texas to people’s businesses or homes. One of the largest shipping companies behind delivery trucks in the U.S. is United Parcel Service or UPS.

It’s easy to spot these brown trucks moving through city streets and neighborhoods on weekdays and weekends. With over 100,000 trucks in their fleet that vary in size, weight, and shape, only a few shipping companies have as many vehicles on U.S. roads as UPS.

Even though UPS is an integral part of the e-commerce supply chain network, its delivery trucks are responsible for many auto accidents in Houston, TX. A vehicle crash involving a large UPS truck isn’t the same as a collision involving two passenger vehicles. A collision with a UPS truck can cause devastating injuries due to the sheer size of such trucks. Such delivery trucks may haul heavy items, increasing the risk of catastrophic injuries.

In many cases, drivers and passengers involved in collisions with UPS trucks may suffer life-altering and permanent injuries. If this is your experience, consider contacting a Texas car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. An experienced lawyer can help you secure appropriate compensation for your injuries and losses after an accident involving a UPS truck.

Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to speak to one of our attorneys and learn what to do if a UPS truck hits your car.

What To Do if a UPS Truck Hits My Car

The complexities and differences in Texas state law make navigating a personal injury claim difficult after being hit by a UPS truck. The legal team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law understands the subtleties of negligence in Texas and can help you fight a large multinational company like UPS.

Here are 9 steps that the UPS accident lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law recommend.

1. Survey the Scene

After colliding with a UPS truck, your priority should be to ensure that you and all other occupants are safe and away from danger. Check to find out whether all involved parties — including the UPS driver — are okay.

If you are in the path of heavy traffic, try to move to the side of the road. Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic, blind curves, and any other potential dangers that may worsen the situation. For instance, a speeding or drunk driver may easily hit your vehicle, causing a multiple-vehicle collision.

2. Call the Police

In most situations, this implies calling 911. If you are on a Texas highway, the dispatcher will route your call to the local law enforcement agency. Make sure you inform the dispatcher of how many people are involved in the crash. This helps dispatchers determine how many ambulances are needed at the scene of the crash.

Even if the UPS truck accident seems minor, request a police report anyway. This is the best way to secure immediate documentation of the delivery truck accident in Texas.

3. Seek Medical Attention

If you don’t think you were hurt after colliding with a UPS truck, seek medical attention anyway. You may have suffered severe injuries that may not be immediately apparent, such as a concussion, back injuries, or soft tissue injuries. If you are not evaluated right after the accident and you require medical care later on for such injuries, the defense may argue they aren’t accident-related.

After being examined by emergency medics at the scene, it’s advisable to visit the hospital for a complete medical evaluation. This provides a paper trail of medical procedures, medications, and bills related to the accident.

4. Exchange Information With the UPS Driver

To file a UPS truck accident lawsuit in Houston, you need the delivery driver’s information. Be sure to gather as much information as possible, including:

  • The UPS driver’s name, address, and telephone number
  • Vehicle registration information, make, and model
  • Insurance information
  • Delivery driver’s license number
  • Any other identifying information

5. Document the Evidence at the Scene

You should only document the scene if you are uninjured. If it’s unsafe to get out of your vehicle, don’t risk it. If you are on a busy Houston highway and the police haven’t arrived to direct traffic, you shouldn’t be wandering around trying to collect evidence.

If it’s safe to document the scene, take advantage of your phone or camera to capture videos and photos of the scene. Later in your UPS truck accident case, such evidence can help you prove what happened.

Make sure you capture the following:

  • Vehicle damage to your car and the UPS truck
  • Glass, vehicle parts, and debris
  • Skid marks
  • Nearby road signs
  • Weather and road conditions
  • Visible injuries

Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Take as many photos as possible to help build a solid personal injury claim.

6. Write Down Contact Information for Witnesses

A witness is anyone who saw the accident in any way, including bystanders, other motorists, or people in nearby buildings who weren’t involved in the crash.

After a crash, there may be lots of emergency situations that may require police attention. It may take time before they interview any eyewitnesses. Bystanders at the scene will likely leave once emergency responders have things under control, making it difficult to get hold of them again. Witnesses may have valuable information that can significantly help your Houston UPS truck accident claim.

If you are able to, approach witnesses and ask them for their contact information, including their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. This is all your UPS accident lawyer near Houston needs to get in touch with them.

7. Be Careful About What You Say

Personal injury claims hinge on the concept of liability. Even though you may feel angry about the UPS truck driver that caused the accident, being rude and unpleasant won’t get you anywhere. Knowing what to do and not do if a UPS truck hits your car is essential.

When you are agitated, you may say things you don’t mean and end up admitting liability. Even if you know you are in the wrong, keep that information to yourself. Don’t lie. Just save that conversation for your Houston UPS accident lawyer.

You may be partially responsible for your car accident, but other factors may come into play that could reduce your liability. Remember, Texas follows modified comparative fault laws when determining liability. This implies that you may receive compensation if your fault for the UPS truck accident is less than 51%.

8. Stay off Social Media

A truck accident is often more serious than a fender-bender. It may involve major cleanups, fatalities, and road closures, or it could be newsworthy. You may have seen articles from your local news station talking about the UPS truck crash in Houston, but resist the urge to comment.

Likewise, avoid posting on social media platforms about what you think about your crash. Don’t post anything about your physical or emotional condition. Don’t go on social media and say it was just a “minor crash” or “I’m fine!”

Posting on social media may create legal issues later. The defense may use such posts in court or depositions. If you’ve been hit by a UPS truck in Houston, it’s best to stay discreet and discuss the facts of your case with your family, friends, and the UPS accident attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law.

9. Call a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were hit by a UPS truck and were seriously injured, you need the help of a reputable truck accident attorney on your side. Why? UPS is a multinational corporation that hires and manages thousands of truck drivers across the U.S. They have internal training and safety programs. They also record delivery routes as well as driver hours of service and maintain files on their delivery truck drivers.

A seasoned UPS accident lawyer from Texas will not just investigate the crash. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, our legal team will analyze the company’s documents to determine whether they are vicariously liable for the crash through practices such as negligent hiring or lack of driver training.

Our lawyers will also analyze the scene of the accident to determine whether human error led to the crash. Common causes of truck accidents include driver fatigue, improper maintenance, distracted driving, driving while impaired, and unsafe driving practices. We will look into the facts of your case to find out what led to the crash.

How To Get Started With Your UPS Truck Accident Claim in Houston, TX

Have you been in an accident involving a UPS truck and believe the delivery driver may be at fault? You may deserve financial compensation for your injuries and losses. It can help when you have someone by your side to fight for your rights and interests as you recover.

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, our lawyers can help you gather and analyze evidence to determine all liable parties. We can also file a UPS truck accident lawsuit, handle the discovery phase, prepare you as needed, negotiate on your behalf, and go to trial if we can’t reach an agreement.

Learn what to do if a UPS truck hits your car and how we can help. Our lawyers will guide you throughout the claims process and ensure we file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires (generally, two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas – but always speak directly to an attorney for the exact deadlines that apply). Call (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 today to get started.

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Attorney Terry Bryant

Attorney Terry BryantTerry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]

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