Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
Have you been injured in a delivery truck accident?
The enormous popularity of online shopping is driving unprecedented demand for residential delivery services offered by FedEx, UPS, Amazon, and DHL, adding to the millions of trucks and 18-wheelers already crowding the nation’s roads and highways.
Unfortunately, delivery truck accidents caused by drivers working for UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other delivery services have also been trending upward in recent years. All too often, these crashes prove catastrophic for the innocent occupants of small passenger vehicles, who typically bear the brunt of the impact in a collision with any big rig.
Why are Delivery Truck Accidents on the Rise?
Online shopping and fast, convenient home delivery have become a way of life for many people.
In fact, in 2022 alone, the average American household received 162 package deliveries. That year, 21.2 billion parcels were delivered to homes and businesses throughout the United States, up from just 11 billion in 2016. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment of delivery truck drivers will grow 10% by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. To keep pace with surging demand, it’s estimated that the industry will need to recruit approximately 203,800 new drivers annually over the next ten years to keep their growing fleets of 18-wheelers, box trucks, and delivery vans on the road.
Like any truck or 18-wheeler crash, a delivery truck accident can occur for any number of reasons – reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, lack of vehicle maintenance, and driver impairment, among others. However, the manner in which the industry has evolved over the past decade has also created some unique risks that increase the likelihood of a wreck:
- Delivery Quotas: With the rise of Amazon Prime and other services offering short delivery windows, today’s consumers expect their packages to arrive within days – and sometimes even hours – of placing an order. As a result, many delivery drivers face immense pressure to meet unrealistic delivery quotas and make up for lost time when delays occur, increasing the temptation to speed or engage in other unsafe driving practices.
- Inexperienced Drivers: It’s no secret that the trucking industry overall is facing a severe shortage of experienced drivers, and the delivery sector is no exception. As a result, many delivery trucks on the road today are operated by drivers who may lack the training and experience to maneuver safely through the busy, urban areas they typically navigate.
- Gig Drivers: While UPS, FedEx, and other traditional carriers operate their own fleets, some companies—notably Amazon— rely on contractors using their personal vehicles to make “last-mile deliveries.” Since these “gig drivers” are self-employed, the company they work for usually has very little oversight regarding vehicle maintenance, insurance coverage, and training.
- Driver Fatigue: Delivery drivers often work long hours, especially during the holiday season. Unfortunately, drivers making local deliveries aren’t required to abide by the federal Hours of Service rules that limit how long an interstate truck driver can work without taking a break. Exhaustion reduces reaction time and could even cause a delivery truck driver to fall asleep at the wheel, increasing the likelihood of a severe or fatal crash.
How Do the Major Delivery Companies Stack Up?
The most recognizable delivery companies operating int he United States include FedEx, UPS, Amazon, and DHL. So how do these carriers stack up when it comes to safety?
FedEx Delivery Truck Accidents
One the biggest and best-known package delivery companies in the world, FedEx maintains more than 48,000 vehicles in its fleet and employs around 165,000 people. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administer (FMCSA), FedEx trucks were involved in 360 crashes in the 24 months before March 18, 2024, including nine collisions that resulted in fatalities and 131 that resulted in at least one injury.
UPS Delivery Truck Accidents
Universally recognized for its “Big Brown” trucks and delivery vans, UPS employs 127,000 drivers and operates a fleet of 134,000 vehicles. During the 24 months prior to March 18, 2024, UPS trucks were involved in 2,652 accidents, including 63 fatal crashes and 904 that resulted in at least one injury.
Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents
Because Amazon relies on a network of third-party companies for deliveries, along with tens of thousands of gig workers using their personal vehicles to get packages into the hands of its customers, accident statistics for Amazon delivery trucks are hard to come by. However, in 2022, an investigation conducted by The Wall Street Journal found that trucking companies delivering for Amazon had been involved in crashes that left 75 people dead since 2015. The report also noted that the trucking contractors Amazon relied on the most were “more than twice as likely as all other similar companies to receive bad unsafe driving scores” from the Department of Transportation.
DHL Express Truck Accidents
Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL Express is now based in Germany and ranks as one of the largest shipping companies in the world. In the United States, where it primarily relies on independent contractors to operate its vehicles, DHL Express trucks were involved in 16 accidents during the 24 months leading up to March 18, 2024. Those crashes left one person dead and injured four others.
What to Do After a Delivery Truck Accident
After a delivery truck accident, the companies involved and their insurers will immediately take steps to deflect responsibility for the crash and avoid paying those who’ve been injured all that they’re owed—even if that means losing or destroying critical evidence and blaming the victims themselves, regardless of whether they and their driver are clearly at fault.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a collision with a delivery truck, it’s critical that you act just as quickly to safeguard your rights and your family’s future.
Call 911
Call 911 immediately and report the crash to local law enforcement. Your call will bring the police to the scene, ensuring information is compiled for an official police report that will serve as vital evidence should you decide to pursue compensation against the delivery truck company or its driver.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, it’s essential to get checked by a healthcare professional after any motor vehicle crash, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. If it turns out that you were hurt, your medical records will serve as evidence of your injuries in the event the delivery truck company or its insurer tries to downplay their severity.
Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence
If you’re physically able and it’s safe to do so, take photographs of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved and any visible damages. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident and write down the truck driver’s details, license plate number, and insurance information.
Don’t Communicate With the Trucking Company or Its Insurer
Once you’ve exchanged basic information with the delivery truck driver, you should cease all communications with anyone from the trucking company or its insurer. If the company’s claims adjuster approaches you, understand that they’re only interested in downplaying your injuries to avoid paying you and your family the compensation you are owed. Don’t speak with or provide a written statement to the trucking company’s insurance carrier, no matter what they promise or how much they pressure you to do so.
Be Aware That You Have a Limited Window To File a Lawsuit
In Texas and most other states, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of a delivery truck accident. If you fail to take legal action within the applicable statute of limitations, you may be permanently barred from seeking compensation from the trucking company or other responsible parties. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer to protect your rights before the delivery service or its trucking company has a chance to destroy or lose evidence you need to prove they were at fault.
Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
With Billions won and the #1 Largest Recoveries in Texas, our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers have repeatedly demonstrated that we don’t just win for our clients and their families – we set records.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed because of a reckless delivery truck driver or negligent trucking company, call 1-888-603-3636, chat with us through our website, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Form.
We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights and options, and provide the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
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