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North Carolina UPS Truck Accident Lawyer | Tatum & Atkinson

North Carolina UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

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If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in an accident with a UPS vehicle, you may be wondering what steps to take next. At the law firm of Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we have helped thousands of truck accident injury victims receive the compensation they deserve following an accident, providing injured parties and their loved ones the ability to focus their energies on recovering.

UPS Delivery Trucks

UPS (United Parcel Service) is a rapidly expanding delivery provider that offers service throughout the world. As a result, countless UPS trucks are out on the road at any time. Since the company’s creation in Seattle, Washington, in 1907, the company has grown to become one of the largest delivery companies in the world. In 2019, UPS brought in 74,094 million dollars and had around 495,000 employees. Within the past year, UPS trucks have been reported in 2,619 crashes, with nearly 1000 injuries and 55 fatalities reported.

UPS Truck Driver Training

UPS offers training programs nationwide to ensure their drivers adequately understand the cornerstones of safe driving with the company. Training provides digital and hands-on experience to prepare UPS drivers for various encounters they may encounter while working.

UPS Truck Accident Causes

There are several leading causes of UPS truck accidents. These include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Driver fatigue
  • Driver negligence
  • Ignoring traffic laws
  • Inadequate loading of cargo
  • Mechanical issues
  • Improper truck maintenance
  • Texting or talking on the phone and driving
  • Using alcohol or drugs while driving

While many of these causes are the same for any driver on the road, the vehicle size of a UPS truck is much larger than many other vehicles and can result in more severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicle. In many cases, the larger the truck and/or load, the more impactful the collision is likely to be.

UPS Truck Accident Injuries

Injuries from collisions involving a UPS truck can widely vary in severity. However, there are some common injuries seen in UPS truck accidents. These include:

  •   Back injuries
  •   Brain damage
  •   Broken or fractured bones
  •   Burns, lacerations, and/or bruises
  •   Concussions
  •   Death
  •   Head trauma
  •   Internal bleeding
  •   Mental anguish, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  •   Neck injuries
  •   Whiplash

In addition, it is possible, with some injuries and after the adrenaline rush associated with being involved in an accident, that injury symptoms will not present themselves until hours or even days after the accident. As serious injuries such as internal bleeding, brain injury, or soft tissue damage may not present with symptoms, it is crucial to receive a medical evaluation after an accident, even if you do not believe you have been injured. If you do not receive medical attention, your right to compensation for your damages down the line may be compromised.

What To Do If You’ve Been Involved In A UPS Truck Accident

If you have been involved in a collision with a UPS driver, there are several steps you should take immediately following the accident. Find out what steps to take below:

Call The Police

After the collision, you should call 9-1-1 and request an ambulance if necessary. Police will provide a police report and take information regarding the accident. While waiting for emergency responders to arrive, stay calm, stay in your car if possible, and do not apologize or take the blame for the accident, as it is impossible to know all of the facts surrounding the accident until a later date.

Take Pictures Of The Scene Of The Accident

Next, if possible, you should take pictures of the accident scene. Photos should include the vehicles, the surrounding area, injuries, license plate numbers, and any cross streets or street signs.

Obtain Witness Contact Information

Attempt to obtain names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. Witnesses can be a crucial component in determining the facts of a claim.

Receive a Medical Evaluation

If you are not taken to the hospital by ambulance, you should receive an evaluation by a medical professional as soon as possible following the accident, even if you don’t feel that you have been injured.

Gather Evidence

You should document and keep all records pertaining to the accident, including lost wages, medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, hospital records, medications, care summaries, and more.

Determining Negligence

A critical component to a successful claim is proving that the UPS driver behaved negligently. Negligence can be established in several ways, such as:

  •   Distracted driving on behalf of the UPS truck driver
  •   Documents, such as the police report and the photos you take at the scene of the accident, can help establish negligence and ensure you have a strong case when going up against UPS.
  •   Failure to inspect the UPS truck or failure to maintain the truck sufficiently
  •   The driver’s failure to follow traffic laws

UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

There are many reasons why you should strongly consider retaining an experienced UPS truck accident attorney following a UPS truck collision. The sooner you obtain representation, the sooner you will be able to ensure that your claim is protected and that your right to just compensation is fought for. Below discover some reasons why it is advisable to retain a UPS truck accident lawyer.

1. Costly Medical Expenses

UPS accidents often lead to severe injuries, lost wages, and even permanent disability or death. Insurance companies and/or trucking companies may deny fault or may attempt to offer a settlement figure that will not adequately cover your current and future expected medical expenses. An experienced attorney can help ensure that your damages are adequately compensated, including projected future losses.

2. Determine Liability

UPS truck accidents are often complex, as multiple parties may be liable and injuries sustained are often severe. Liability is often unclear or may be otherwise disputed. An experienced attorney can help obtain valuable evidence and testimony to determine liability.

3. Cover Your Losses

Damages from involvement in a UPS truck accident often far exceed medical expenses and property damage. You or a loved one may have also sustained the following types of damages:

  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Physical disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death

As some of these losses are non-tangible, you will need an experienced ups truck accident lawyer to fight aggressively for your right to fair compensation.

4. Handle Insurers

Insurance companies are often for-profit corporations, so it is in their interest to minimize costs paid out in settlements. Therefore, they will attempt to pay you as little as possible following a collision. Insurers may use your own words against you or hire professionals to discredit your claim. Don’t try to negotiate with insurers alone. Call an experienced personal injury attorney who will be able to help manage these negotiations for you and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Build Your Case

An experienced ups truck accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to protect and strengthen your claim. Evidence may include:

  • Photographs and/or video footage
  • Witness testimony
  • Expert testimony
  • Accident reconstruction evidence
  • Medical records
  • Police report
  • And more

Get Legal Advice

Truck accident cases can be confusing and complex. However, you can rely on your UPS truck accident attorney to put your mind at ease and allow you to focus your attention and energy on recovering. In addition, your attorney will be able to advise you as to the best steps moving forward to obtain the best possible outcome for your claim.

UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

An experienced UPS truck accident attorney, such as the team of legal experts at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ can provide you support after you or a loved one has become injured in an accident and ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. The dedicated truck accident lawyers at Tatum & Atkinson have the skills and resources to fight a large company like UPS and aggressively negotiate for fair compensation. Going against a company like UPS can be complex and challenging. Contact the law office of Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters, ‘ by calling (800) 529-0804 or contacting us online.to see what we can do for you.