Who is liable in an accident with a UPS truck? When a car accident involves a UPS truck, responsibility may fall on multiple parties, including the driver, UPS as the employer, third-party contractors, or, more rarely, vehicle manufacturers.
A Salt Lake City UPS truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the process and hold the right parties accountable.
Understanding How Liability Laws Apply to a UPS Truck Accident
State liability laws may determine who is responsible for a UPS truck accident and how fault is assigned. For example, Utah follows modified comparative negligence, which establishes that even if you are partially at fault, you may still be eligible to recover.
The purpose of the law is to ensure that the person seeking recovery is compensated in proportion to the fault attributed to each party involved.
Additionally, commercial trucking companies, including UPS, must follow federal motor carrier safety regulations to ensure safety on the road. If UPS violated safety laws, failed to maintain vehicles, or hired unqualified drivers, the company itself is liable for an accident with a UPS truck.
Legal claims often require proving negligence through evidence such as driver records, truck maintenance logs, and accident reports.
Utah’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years from the accident date. For wrongful death cases, the timeframe is two years.
Failing to file within the legal deadline can result in losing your right to seek compensation. An attorney can ensure all necessary legal steps are taken in time to secure your UPS truck accident claim.
For a free legal consultation, call (801) 266-0999
When UPS May Be Liable for a Truck Accident
Even if the driver is at fault, UPS can often be held responsible under vicarious liability as the employer if the accident occurs while the driver is performing work duties.
The employee’s conduct must be the type they were hired to perform, and it must occur within the normal hours and zones of employment while being motivated in part to serve the employer’s interest.
For example, delivery truck companies have been held vicariously liable for their driver’s negligent entrustment of the truck to an unqualified or impaired individual who subsequently causes an accident.
Essentially, while the driver as an individual may be at fault because they are acting in their capacity as an employee, the employer maintains the liability.
Therefore, UPS may be found liable in an accident with a UPS truck and may be required to compensate the injured party.
Failure to properly train drivers, negligent hiring practices, or neglecting proper vehicle maintenance can exacerbate liability. Proving corporate negligence can increase the compensation available to accident victims. A Salt Lake City delivery truck accident lawyer can evaluate your case and prospect of recovery.
Third-Party Liability in UPS Truck Accidents
Sometimes, who may be found liable in a UPS truck accident is not limited to just the driver or UPS itself. Third-party liability may occur when negligent actions of people or entities other than the truck driver cause harm.
Various factors affect liability determinations, including the specific terms of insurance policies, the nature of the accident, and the actions of the parties involved.
From an operational standpoint, both maintenance companies and vehicle manufacturers may be liable, as UPS may outsource maintenance and manufacturing to other companies.
If a company that worked on a truck involved in an accident cut corners or the manufacturer sent out defective parts, then they could also be considered liable in an accident with a UPS truck.
From there, it is necessary to assess the liability insurance policies of each company and party affected to determine whether a policy would cover some or all of the damages incurred.
In 2021, the Utah Court of Appeals decided Wood v. UPS, which offers insight into how shared liability works. In this case, a UPS truck collided with a loading dock, and the dock’s compromised structure caused additional injuries. Both the UPS driver and the property owner, who failed to repair the dock, were found to be liable.
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Determining Liability When a UPS Truck Starts a Chain-Reaction Crash
In Utah, liability determinations become more complex when an accident involves multiple vehicles or pedestrians. In these cases, who is liable in an accident with a UPS truck depends on whether the original accident was a foreseeable cause of a later injury.
If a later injury naturally results from a primary injury already deemed compensable, it may also be covered. From there, the injured person does not need to prove that the first incident was the only reason for the later injury—just that it contributed to their harm.
For example, if a UPS truck crashes into a car and that car then hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian may still hold UPS accountable for the injuries resulting from the accident.
However, some situations may break the chain of liability in a UPS truck accident. If something completely unexpected happens—like another driver recklessly speeding into the scene well after the initial crash—UPS might not be liable for those later injuries. If you are unsure of what to do next, consider liability in an accident with a UPS truck and carefully analyze the situation.
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Contact Siegfried & Jensen for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident with a UPS truck, Siegfried & Jensen is here to fight for you. We know how devastating truck accidents can be, and we’re committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
With over 30 years in business and decades of combined experience, our firm has recovered more than $1.2 billion for injured victims. Speak with a Utah truck accident lawyer today for a free consultation, and let us help you hold the right parties accountable.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form