Long Island UPS Truck Accidents

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Accident sign on the road

Perhaps the most instantly recognizable of all the commercial vehicles on Long Island roads are the iconic brown “parcel cars” operated by UPS. While these trucks are crucial for transporting goods and facilitating commerce, they are not immune to accidents. UPS truck accidents often have devastating consequences and leave victims grappling with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial insecurity.

No one should be left to pay the price of a massive company’s mistake. The Long Island personal injury attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C., want to hold UPS accountable for the harm they cause.

As a powerhouse firm with a family approach, we understand the complexity of trucking accident cases and are committed to advocating for the rights of accident victims on Long Island. We are well-versed in New York state laws about truck accidents and possess the knowledge and resources necessary to build strong cases for our clients. Our attorneys have secured over $1 billion for deserving clients.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a Long Island UPS truck accident lawyer and find out how we can fight for you.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident with a UPS Truck?

If you are involved in a truck accident on Long Island with a UPS truck, it is crucial to prioritize your safety and take appropriate action.

  • Seek Medical Attention. It’s crucial to your well-being and creates documentary evidence of your injuries and their connection to the accident.
  • Consult with Our Attorneys. If you have been injured and believe the UPS truck driver’s negligence may have caused the accident, consult with an attorney who concentrates on truck accidents, such as the highly experienced Long Island truck accident lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C. We can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you seek maximum compensation.
  • Preserve Any Evidence. Hang onto any evidence related to the accident, such as medical records and bills, photographs, videos, witness statements and contact information, and repair estimates. Write down your recollection of the accident while the memory is still fresh.
  • Do Not Speak to the Insurer for UPS. An insurance adjuster or representative from UPS may contact you for a recorded statement or access to your medical records. Do not discuss the accident with them or sign anything. You can simply tell them your attorney will be in touch.
  • Follow Your Treatment Plan. Stick to the treatment plan your doctor devised for you. Not only will this help with your recovery and long-term health prognosis, but it will also demonstrate that you’re taking your injuries seriously and doing what you can to prevent them from worsening. A common part of the defense strategy in a truck accident case is to minimize your injuries, so following your treatment plan will provide documentary evidence that can help prove your pain and suffering

Taking the appropriate steps after an accident with a UPS truck in New York can protect your interests and improve your chance of prevailing with your claim.

What Are the Types of UPS Truck Accidents?

Among the most common types of UPS truck accidents are:

  • Blind Spot Accidents – Large vehicles like UPS trucks and UPS vans have significant blind spots. If drivers do not check these blind spots before changing lanes, backing up, turning, or making other maneuvers, they risk causing a collision.
  • Head-on Collisions – A UPS truck driver who gets confused with their route might find themselves driving the wrong way on a one-way street or drifting into oncoming lanes. While head-on crashes are relatively rare, they are among the most deadly traffic collisions.
  • Loading and Unloading Accidents – These aren’t traffic accidents but rather accidents that occur during the loading or unloading of packages. Careless drivers might drop items onto unsuspecting passersby, while unsecured packages could fall off the back of the truck and become a hazard to other motorists.
  • Pedestrian or Bicycle Accidents – UPS trucks and vans operating in residential neighborhoods and other areas with plenty of foot traffic are a potential risk to pedestrians and cyclists, who lack many of the protections afforded to vehicle occupants.
  • Rear-End Accidents – This occurs when a UPS truck hits the vehicle in front of it. These accidents are commonly caused by distracted driving, following too closely, or failing to react in time to a stop or slow down.
  • Rollover Accidents – UPS trucks have a much higher center of gravity than passenger vehicles, which makes them less stable and more prone to overturning. This can happen due to taking a turn too quickly, being overloaded, or due to adverse weather conditions.
  • Side-Impact Accidents – Also known as T-bones or broadside accidents, these collisions occur when a UPS truck hits the side of another vehicle. They are most common at intersections when the truck driver fails to yield the right-of-way.

The consequences of a UPS truck accident can be substantial, including severe injuries to occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and the UPS driver.

Common Causes of UPS Truck Accidents

On Long Island, UPS trucking accidents can occur due to various factors, including the following common examples:

  • Distracted Driving – Distractions can lead to delayed reactions or failure to notice hazards, resulting in accidents.
  • Driver Fatigue – Long hours and demanding schedules impair alertness, reaction time, and decision-making for UPS van drivers.
  • Improper Vehicle Maintenance – Regular maintenance of UPS trucks is essential for safe operation. Neglected inspections and upkeep can lead to mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts.
  • Improper Loading or Overloading – UPS trucks can carry thousands of pounds of packages. Unbalanced weight distribution affects stability, leading to rollovers, loss of control, or extended stopping distances.
  • Inadequate Training – UPS truck drivers require specific training in the handling of large commercial vehicles. Insufficient training can leave them ill-prepared for the hazards and challenges they’ll encounter on the road, potentially leading to accidents.
  • Inclement Weather – Depending on the season, UPS drivers might encounter heavy rain, snow, ice, fog, and wind while on Long Island. They must adapt their driving to these conditions or risk causing accidents due to reduced visibility, slippery roads, or hydroplaning.
  • Speeding – UPS drivers often face pressure to meet delivery deadlines, leading to excessive speeding. High speeds reduce a driver’s ability to react to unexpected situations, increasing the chances of collisions.

What Are Common Injuries UPS Truck Accidents Cause?

The injuries that victims might suffer in a UPS truck accident depend on a variety of factors, including vehicle speed, weight, and collision angle. Some types of injuries are particularly common in these crashes, such as:

What Compensation Is Available for UPS Accident Victims?

If you were injured in a UPS truck accident, the at-fault party could owe you compensation for the harm they caused you. This could include money for the following:

  • Medical Expenses – This covers the costs of past and future medical care, including surgeries, emergency transportation, rehab, and physical and occupational therapy. 
  • Lost Income – This covers the money you could not make because your injuries kept you from working, including lost wages, tips, commissions, and benefits. Additionally, you could be entitled to compensation for diminished earning capacity if the injuries impact your career in the future.
  • Pain and Suffering – While more subjective than many of the other types of losses, pain and suffering are every bit as real, and you deserve to be compensated accordingly.
  • Loss of Consortium – If your injuries caused a loss of companionship or support between you and your spouse, you may be able to recover compensation for this loss of consortium.
  • Property Damage – If the accident damaged your vehicle, you could also be entitled to money for its repair or replacement.
  • Loss of Guidance and Support – If a UPS accident caused the death of your loved one, you and your family could recover from the loss of guidance, nurturing, and financial support of your loved one.

What Can You Expect from an Insurance Claim After a UPS Injury?

Your first step in pursuing compensation after a UPS trucking accident will likely be to file a no-fault insurance claim. New York is one of a dozen states to follow this system, in which injured parties file first-party claims with their own personal injury protection (PIP) policies before they can file third-party claims against at-fault drivers. If you were the occupant of another passenger vehicle, the PIP policy covering that vehicle that you were in at the time of the accident would likely apply. If you were a pedestrian or cyclist, the UPS truck’s policy would likely apply. Crucially, motorcycles are exempted from PIP rules, so you would need to proceed directly to a liability claim if you were injured as a motorcyclist.

If you suffered a “serious injury” as defined by the State of New York, you can file a third-party liability claim against UPS, but you should still file a first-party claim with your auto insurance carrier to cover a portion of your medical expenses. The insurance company for UPS will assess the claim, investigate liability, and determine whether they will make you a settlement offer. 

Rather than rely on UPS and its insurance carrier to offer you a fair settlement offer (which would be against their interests). you should retain the help of Finz & Finz, P.C. An experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer with our firm can negotiate with the insurance company for you, relentlessly fighting for a fair and full UPS accident lawsuit settlement.

Call Us After a UPS Truck Accident on Long Island

Were you hurt in a UPS truck accident in Long Island? Finz & Finz, P.C., wants to help. We have recovered over $1 billion for our clients, and we know how to take on the big companies and win. We work on a contingency basis, which means we only collect a fee if we put money back in your pocket. 

Contact us today for a free consultation with a Long Island UPS truck accident lawyer, and we’ll tell you what we can do for you.