Tulsa UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

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Tulsa UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

Brown delivery trucks rumble through nearly every neighborhood in Tulsa daily. We rely on United Parcel Service (UPS) to deliver everything from medication to birthday gifts on time. However, the drive for efficiency often creates danger on our roads. A Tulsa UPS Truck Accident Lawyer at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers stands with you when a delivery truck causes a life-altering collision.

UPS drivers face demanding schedules. They must deliver hundreds of packages within a single shift. This pressure sometimes leads to speeding, rolling through stop signs, or parking dangerously to save a few seconds. These choices put other motorists and pedestrians at risk.

A collision with a heavy package car or a massive feeder truck causes severe damage. The weight of these vehicles generates tremendous force upon impact. You often face extensive medical treatments and vehicle repairs.

Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has secured millions in settlements and verdicts for injury victims. We possess the resources to challenge global logistics giants. We do not back down when corporate lawyers attempt to minimize your suffering. We fight to secure the compensation you need to recover.

Guide for UPS Truck Accidents in Tulsa

The Hazards of the Big Brown Truck

UPS operates a massive fleet ranging from the iconic boxy delivery vans to large tractor-trailers. Each vehicle type presents specific hazards to Tulsa drivers. Understanding these risks helps explain how your accident occurred.

Blind spots and size

The standard UPS delivery van, known as a package car, sits much higher than a passenger vehicle. Drivers have limited visibility directly behind the truck and along the sides. A car driving in these blind spots disappears from the driver’s view. Merging accidents frequently occur when the UPS driver changes lanes without clearing these zones.

Frequent stops and starts

Delivery drivers make dozens of stops every hour. They often pull over onto the shoulder or block a lane of traffic on busy streets like Peoria or Yale. Other drivers may not anticipate a sudden stop. Rear-end collisions happen when the truck stops unexpectedly to drop a package.

Backing up dangers

UPS trains drivers to avoid backing up whenever possible. However, many accidents still occur when a driver reverses out of a driveway or loading dock. The driver cannot see directly behind the vehicle. Pedestrians and small cars often go unnoticed until impact occurs.

Why Choose Graves McLain for Your UPS Claim

Litigating against a company as large as UPS requires a firm with tenacity and experience. We offer specific advantages to Oklahomans facing corporate defendants. We treat your case with the seriousness it demands.

  • Direct employee liability knowledge: Unlike other delivery services that use contractors, UPS usually employs its drivers directly. We recognize how to use the doctrine of respondeat superior to hold the company liable for its employee’s negligence.
  • Advanced evidence collection: We know how to request data from the UPS handheld computers and vehicle sensors. We use this data to prove the driver was speeding or distracted.
  • No upfront financial risk: We operate on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we successfully resolve your case. We take on the financial risk of the lawsuit so you can focus on healing.
  • Local court authority: We understand the procedures of the Tulsa County District Court. We leverage our understanding of local judges and juries to develop a strategy that resonates with the community.
  • Proven results: Our history of recovering millions shows we can handle high-stakes litigation. We leverage our past success to demand fair treatment for you.

Common Causes of UPS Accidents

Negligence usually serves as the root cause of these collisions. The company prioritizes logistics and speed. This focus often leads drivers to cut corners on safety. We investigate the specific behaviors that caused your crash.

Identifying the exact cause allows us to build a strong foundation for your claim.

  • Rushing to meet quotas: Drivers must complete a set number of deliveries. Rushing leads to speeding through school zones and running red lights.
  • Distracted driving: Drivers constantly check their Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD). Looking at this handheld board while moving takes their eyes off the road.
  • Failure to set parking brakes: A driver who jumps out of the truck quickly might fail to engage the parking brake. A rolling truck poses a deadly threat to pedestrians and parked cars.
  • Driver fatigue: During peak seasons, drivers work long hours. Exhaustion slows reaction times and impairs judgment.
  • Improper loading: A truck packed unevenly handles poorly. Cargo shifting during a turn may cause the truck to tip over.

What to Know About Liability in UPS Cases

Liability in a UPS accident differs from a standard car wreck or even other delivery truck crashes. Most UPS drivers are union members and direct employees. This simplifies one aspect of the case but complicates others.

Vicarious liability

The legal concept of respondeat superior means an employer is responsible for the actions of employees performed within the scope of employment. Since UPS drivers are usually employees, UPS is generally automatically liable for their negligence. We do not have to fight the “independent contractor” defense often seen with other carriers.

Third-party liability

Sometimes another party shares the blame. A mechanic might have failed to maintain the brakes. A third-party warehouse might have loaded the cargo improperly. We identify all potentially liable parties to maximize the available insurance funds.

Comparative negligence

UPS lawyers may try to blame you for the accident. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages as long as you are less than 51 percent at fault. We fight against any attempt to shift unearned blame onto you.

The Severity of Delivery Truck Injuries

The size difference between a UPS truck and a passenger car often results in catastrophic harm. Victims endure pain and limitations that last a lifetime. We work with your doctors to document the full impact of these injuries.

Spinal cord trauma

The force of a collision often damages the discs and vertebrae in the spine. Victims may suffer from herniated discs, nerve damage, or paralysis. These injuries often require surgery and long-term physical therapy.

Traumatic brain injuries

Head trauma occurs even if your head does not strike an object. The violent shaking of a crash causes the brain to impact the skull. Concussions and severe brain injuries affect memory, personality, and cognitive function.

Orthopedic injuries

Broken bones in the legs, arms, and ribs are common. Crush injuries may occur if the truck strikes the side of your vehicle. These fractures often require metal plates and screws to repair.

Damages You May Recover

A crash with a delivery truck creates a financial burden. You face medical bills while losing income from missed work. Oklahoma law allows you to seek compensation for both your financial and personal losses.

Victims may pursue compensation for the following:

  • Past and future medical bills: We seek recovery for emergency care, surgeries, medication, and ongoing rehabilitation.
  • Lost wages: You deserve reimbursement for the paychecks you missed. We also calculate the loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
  • Pain and suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress caused by the crash deserve financial recognition. We fight to place a fair value on your human suffering.
  • Property damage: We demand the full replacement value of your vehicle. We also seek funds for any personal property destroyed in the crash.
  • Wrongful death: Families who lose a loved one may seek funeral expenses and loss of consortium.

Federal Safety Regulations

UPS trucks must adhere to safety rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Violations of these rules serve as strong evidence of negligence. We check compliance with every applicable statute.

Hours of service compliance

Drivers generally must follow strict limits on how many hours they drive. We review the driver’s logs to see if they exceeded these limits. A violation here suggests the driver was fatigued at the time of the crash.

Maintenance and inspection

UPS must maintain its fleet in safe operating condition. Drivers must inspect their vehicles daily. We reviewed the maintenance records to see if the truck had known mechanical issues like bad brakes or worn tires.

Driver qualifications

UPS must ensure its drivers are qualified to operate their vehicles. This includes conducting medical exams and background checks. We investigate whether the driver had a history of unsafe driving that the company ignored.

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Dealing with Corporate Insurance Defense

UPS is a global corporation with a massive legal defense team. They often self-insure for a certain amount or use major insurance carriers. These adjusters and lawyers aim to protect the company’s bottom line.

Aggressive defense tactics

They may try to access your medical history to claim your injuries were pre-existing. They might delay the claim hoping you accept a low offer out of desperation. We shield you from these tactics.

Lowball offers

Initial truck accident settlement offers rarely cover the full cost of your future medical needs. They calculate these offers based on algorithms, not your actual pain. We advise you to reject these offers until we understand the full scope of your damages.

Legal counsel

Fighting a corporate giant alone is rarely successful. They have teams of professionals working against you. You need a team of professionals working for you. We level the playing field.

Don’t Rely on AI Chat Tools for Legal Advice

AI tools can provide general information, but they don’t understand the specifics of your case or state law. Relying on them for legal advice may lead to costly errors. Always consult a qualified truck accident attorney, like the ones from Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, for guidance.

Contextual blindness

AI generates text based on patterns. It does not know the specific traffic patterns of the Broken Arrow Expressway. It cannot interpret the nuance of a judge’s recent ruling in Tulsa County.

Lack of empathy

A machine cannot understand the pain of losing your mobility or the stress of mounting bills. It cannot advocate for you with passion. Only a human attorney provides the empathetic support you need.

Frequently Asked Questions for Tulsa UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Oklahoma generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a truck accident lawsuit. However, prompt action allows us to preserve evidence like video footage and black box data before it is deleted.

What should I do at the scene?

Call the police to get an accident report. Take photos of the truck, the license plate, and the scene. Get the driver’s name and employee ID if possible. Seek medical attention immediately.

Can I sue if I was partially at fault?

Yes, as long as you were less than 51 percent at fault. Your compensation reduces by your percentage of fault. We work to minimize the fault attributed to you.

Does UPS pay for my rental car?

The at-fault party’s insurance should pay for your rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. Disputes often arise regarding the duration of the rental. We help resolve these issues.

How much does it cost to hire an attorney?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. We use our resources to fund the case. We only get paid if we recover money for you.

Taking the Next Step

A collision with a UPS truck disrupts your life. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers provides the strength and knowledge you need to face a corporate giant. We handle the legal battle so you can focus on your recovery.

We investigate the crash, demand the evidence, and fight for your future.

Contact Graves McLain Injury Lawyers today at (918) 359-6600 for a free consultation regarding your accident.

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    OklahomaSubmitted April 5th, 2023
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    OKSubmitted December 22nd, 2021

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