What to Do After a Collision With a UPS Truck in Portland

Every year, hundreds of car accidents occur on Portland roads. While many of these collisions involve drivers traveling for personal reasons, delivery truck drivers, such as UPS employees, can cause serious collisions.

Under Oregon’s fault insurance system, negligent UPS drivers—and their employers—may be liable for certain accidents. If you were injured by a UPS truck, you have the right to pursue compensation.

Liability for UPS Truck Accidents

In Portland, negligent drivers are responsible for damages experienced by other drivers, pedestrians, passengers, and cyclists in collisions they cause. If you are injured in a UPS truck accident, you could take legal action and file a claim against the liable party.

When Is a UPS Driver Liable for an Accident?

In most cases, UPS driver negligence is responsible for the collision. UPS drivers have a responsibility to not only follow Portland traffic laws, but to also drive safely and follow laws that apply to commercial drivers. If your accident occurred due to the negligent acts of a UPS driver, you could file a claim against him or her.

Examples of UPS driver negligence include the following:

• Driving over the speed limit
• Driving while drunk or high
• Distracted driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Making unsafe left turns
• Suddenly braking
• Following too closely behind another vehicle

When Is UPS Liable for an Accident?

Employers are liable for accidents caused by their employees while they are performing their job duties. If you are injured by a UPS driver who is an employee of UPS, you have the right to file a claim against the company.

In some cases, UPS’s negligence is responsible for the crash. Failing to properly hire, train, or supervise drivers, pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, or failure to provide safety equipment can create a dangerous work environment and contribute to collisions. In these situations, you could file a claim against UPS.

Steps to Take After an Accident with a UPS Truck

If you are in an accident caused by a UPS driver, you may wonder what to do next. You may feel disoriented and scared, worrying about potential injuries or property damage. In these situations, it is important to take the following steps to protect yourself and your future.

• Call 911 and report the accident to the police. Collect the responding officer’s information so that you can find the police report later.
• Seek emergency medical attention, even if you do not feel injured. You may have internal or underlying injuries that could become life-threatening, and your medical records will serve as valuable evidence in your claim. While receiving treatment, save all documents related to the accident and your injuries.
• If you can, take photos and videos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the crash site. Capture as many angles as possible, and make sure to photograph the UPS vehicle as well as your own.
• Briefly exchange license and insurance information with the UPS driver. If there are any witnesses in the area, ask for their contact information as well.

If you are injured by a UPS truck in Portland, However, it can be difficult to pursue compensation from a large corporation like UPS. In these situations, it is important to speak with an attorney who can represent your claim.

After your accident, contact a UPS delivery truck accident attorney in Portland to discuss your case and legal options. Avoid speaking with any representatives from UPS or an insurance company until you speak to a lawyer.