Potentially Liable Parties in a UPS Accident in New Jersey
New Jersey motorists see the United Parcel Service’s iconic brown delivery vans every single day. Many Americans rely on UPS due to the delivery company’s focus on speed and efficiency. However, UPS drivers’ obsession with speed and efficiency often turns into negligence and carelessness, which can lead to preventable motor vehicle accidents.
A recent personal injury settlement illustrates how severe UPS accidents can be. As reported by Law.com, a truck driver who suffered spinal cord injuries in a UPS accident on the New Jersey Turnpike agreed to settle his claim for $1.1 million.
Causes of UPS Accidents in New Jersey
As in other car crashes, causes of UPS accidents vary from one case to another. The most common causes of collisions involving UPS trucks include:
- Exceeding the posted speed limit
- Collisions while backing up
- Distracted driving (often, cellphones and GPS navigators divert UPS drivers’ attention from the road)
- Improperly maintained UPS vans
- Overloaded UPS trucks
- UPS vehicle defects or defective parts
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
It is important to speak with a knowledgeable car accident attorney to determine what caused your UPS crash and identify potentially liable parties in the accident.
Federal Regulations for UPS Trucks and Drivers
Like any other commercial vehicles, UPS trucks must comply with strict regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Since UPS trucks are classified as commercial trucks, the FMCSA imposes strict rules that include:
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements
- Requirements for UPS driver hiring, training and licensing
- Alcohol and drug testing
- Background checks for UPS drivers
- Health and physical fitness requirements for UPS truck drivers
- Maximum weight and loading requirements to avoid overloading
- Hours of Service (HoS) regulations that prohibit UPS drivers from driving more than a specified number of hours in a shift
Who’s Liable for Your UPS Accident in New Jersey?
If you were injured in a UPS truck accident in Morristown or other parts of New Jersey, you might be wondering who can be held responsible for your medical expenses and other damages and losses.
Determining liability in accidents involving commercial delivery vehicles such as UPS can be tricky because there may be multiple potentially liable parties. Depending on how your UPS truck accident occurred, one or several parties may be held responsible for your damages:
- UPS (the company)
- The UPS driver
- The driver of another vehicle involved
- The automobile manufacturer
- The manufacturer of UPS vehicle parts
- The person or entity responsible for the vehicle’s maintenance
- A private or government entity responsible for designing and maintaining the part of the roadway where your UPS accident occurred
If your Morristown truck accident attorney can prove that the UPS driver or their company was negligent, you can obtain compensation for your damages and losses. Under New Jersey’s vicarious liability principle, employers are held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees.
Contact our personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff to determine liability in your UPS accident. Call at 973-455-1567 to schedule a consultation.
Resource:
law.com/njlawjournal/2020/07/15/ups-drivers-turnpike-crash-case-settles-for-1-1-million-in-union/
