Do UPS Drivers Get Fired For Accidents?–Who Is Liable? 

Do UPS drivers get fired for accidents? After getting into an accident involving a UPS truck, you may be wondering who can be held liable. While it is unclear whether or not the driver will be fired, one thing is for sure: UPS can be held liable for any damages that occur as a result of an accident caused by their drivers. This article will discuss liability in accidents involving UPS drivers and what you can do to protect yourself if you are injured.

After a UPS truck accident, you may be left with a serious injury, expensive medical bills, lost wages, and unaccountable trauma. The best way to move forward after getting hit by a UPS truck is to recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. To do this, it is recommended to hire truck accident attorney Jared Spingarn. If you are located in Hollywood, FL, Jared can help you recover from a serious accident. He can navigate the legal process for you including insurance claims and potential lawsuits, so all you need to do is focus on getting better after the accident occurred. Continue reading to learn more about liability in UPS truck accidents.

How many UPS truck accidents occur in the US?

UPS truck drivers are considered relatively safe delivery drivers compared to other large companies. However, with UPS delivery drivers logging millions of miles each year, it is not surprising that these truck drivers can still figure into accidents. In 2020, UPS trucks averaged over 20 fatal crashes and an estimated 500 accidents that resulted in serious injuries. Additional data from UPS shows that a UPS truck accident occurred about four times a day in the country from 2019 to 2021.

What are the common causes of a UPS truck accident?

A UPS accident can occur at any time, especially if the truck drivers are constantly on the road with little rest. It is also important to note that getting into a truck-car accident with UPS delivery drivers can cause severe injuries. This is because when a truck crashes into a car, the smaller vehicle will typically be totaled while the people inside can also be seriously injured. Add to that the heavy load being carried by UPS trucks while on the road. Common causes of UPS truck accidents include the following:

Driver Fatigue

A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 30% of large truck accidents were due to driver fatigue. Drivers who are tired are more likely to make mistakes while driving, which can lead to accidents.

Distracted Driving

This is another common cause of UPS truck accidents. Drivers who are distracted are not paying attention to the road and can easily miss something, leading to an accident.

Speeding

Speeding is a major cause of accidents, regardless of the type of vehicle. UPS drivers who are speeding are more likely to lose control of their trucks and cause an accident. UPS trucks are also more difficult to maneuver at high speeds compared to passenger vehicles.

Poorly Maintained Trucks

If a UPS truck is not properly maintained, it can lead to problems while on the road. For example, if the brakes are not working properly, it can lead to an accident. Trucks that are in poor condition can also suddenly stop moving, possibly causing rear-end collisions and obstructions.

Who is liable for a UPS truck accident?

Whether a UPS driver gets fired for an accident or not is something that is entirely up to UPS. Given the details of the accident, the UPS driver can face severe consequences that may lead to termination of their employment. However, this is a case-to-case basis for each UPS accident. When a UPS driver gets into an accident, several parties may be held liable. It is important to determine liability because accident victims would need to file their claim or lawsuit against the liable party.

UPS

UPS can be held liable for accidents caused by their drivers through the principle of vicarious liability. This is because UPS is responsible for ensuring that their drivers are properly trained and that their trucks are in good working condition. If UPS fails to do either of these things, it can be held liable if an accident occurs.

For example, if a UPS truck driver is speeding and causes an accident, UPS can be held liable. This is because UPS should have been aware that the driver had a tendency to go beyond the speed limit, and should have taken steps to prevent it.

In another example, if a UPS truck is not properly maintained and the brakes fail, causing an accident, UPS can again be held liable. This is because it is UPS’ responsibility to ensure that their trucks are properly maintained.

UPS Truck Driver

In some cases, the UPS truck driver is the one held liable for the accident. This is because they are the ones who were behind the wheel and ultimately caused the accident. In some cases, UPS drivers have been known to be distracted or tired, which led to accidents. Although this is again a case-to-case basis for UPS employees, some UPS truck drivers are independent contractors. If the truck driver who caused the UPS accident is an independent contractor, UPS will not be held liable for the accident. Therefore, you must file your claim against the insurance company of the truck driver.

One example of the truck driver being held liable is if the driver is on their phone and not paying attention to the road. If they cause an accident, they can be held liable because they were distracted while driving. Another example is if the UPS truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and caused an accident. In this case, the driver would be held liable because they were tired and not paying attention to the road.

In some cases, both UPS and the truck driver can be held liable for an accident. In the example above, if a UPS truck driver is speeding and causes an accident, both UPS and the truck driver can be held liable. This is because UPS should have been aware of the driver’s speeding habits and taken steps to prevent it. While the truck driver would also be held liable because they were the one behind the wheel and directly caused the accident.

Other Drivers on the Road

In some cases, other drivers on the road can be held liable for an accident involving a UPS truck. This is usually the case if the other driver caused the accident and not the UPS truck driver. For example, if another driver cuts off a UPS truck and the UPS truck driver swerves to avoid them but ends up crashing, the other driver can be held liable.

In some cases, both the UPS truck driver and the other driver on the road can be held liable for an accident. An example is if a car rear-ends a UPS truck that has stopped suddenly, both drivers can be held liable. This is because the UPS truck driver should have used their blinkers to indicate that they were stopping and the other driver should have been paying attention to the road.

Other Liable Parties

In some cases, there may be other parties that can be held liable for an accident involving a UPS truck. For example, if the accident was caused by a defective part on the UPS truck, the company that manufactured the defective part can be held liable. In another example, if the accident was caused by poor road conditions, the entity responsible for maintaining the road can be held liable.

It is important to note that each case is different and liability will ultimately depend on the specific facts and circumstances of the accident. If you have been involved in an accident with a UPS truck, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney from the law firm of Jared Spingarn to discuss your legal options.

Conclusion

Do UPS drivers get fired for accidents? There is no single answer to this question because it will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. UPS will likely take into consideration the facts of the case, the driver’s accident history, and other factors based on their company policy. What’s important is that after getting into an accident with a UPS driver, you know who is liable so you can file a claim against the appropriate party.

Your truck accident attorney from the law offices of Jared Spingarn in Florida can help you investigate your accident and determine who is liable. Jared’s law firm has extensive experience handling all types of truck accident cases and is prepared to fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact them today for a free consultation.

>> If you sustained personal injuries in a UPS truck accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to the law offices of Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a Free Case Review or drop a message on their Contact Us page.