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How to Receive Compensation After a Car Accident with Delivery Vehicles like Amazon, FedEx, UPS

In today’s world many of purchase things online and rely on delivery companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon to ship these items to our door, which leads to an increased number of delivery trucks/vans on the road and therefore an increased chance for accidents with these delivery vehicles. If you’ve been injured in a car accident involving a delivery or commercial vehicle—such as an Amazon or UPS/FedEx truck—contact our car accident attorneys at Charles Boyk Law.

Our experienced accident attorneys aren’t afraid to take on these billion-dollar companies and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

What do I do if I’ve been injured by a FedEx/UPS/Amazon Truck?

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a vehicle being used by a delivery company—such as Amazon/FedEx/UPS—you want to ensure that your rights are being protected, so you’re able to seek compensation from those responsible for the accident. The best way to do this is by meeting with one of the highly qualified Delivery Car Accident Attorneys at Charles Boyk Law. Our trained trial attorneys are familiar with the tactics used by companies like Amazon/FedEx/UPS in accident cases, and we’ll be sure that your rights are protected so you can recover the full value of what you’re entitled to under the law.

Often, your Charles Boyk Law car accident attorney will start by contacting both the at-fault delivery driver and the company they were working for at the time of the accident. Generally speaking, Ohio law provides that employers like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx are responsible for the actions of their employees while acting in the course and scope of their employment. This includes their actions while they’re driving or delivering packages.

Sometimes these major companies try to use different legal arguments to avoid responsibility, especially where the resulting injuries and damages are severe. Despite their attempt, our team at Charles Boyk Law continues to be successful in holding these companies responsible and obtaining settlements for those injured by either their employees’ negligence or the company’s own negligence for adequately training/hiring/supervising their employees or for failing to adequately maintain their vehicles.

Don’t take on these companies alone and ensure that you always feel protected by having one of our skilled car accident attorneys fighting for you in your corner. We won’t let anything stand in the  way from pursuing your legal rights to

Statistics on Delivery Truck Accidents

Use of home delivery services continue to increase. For instance, in 2023 Amazon Logistics processed 11,147 delivery orders per minute in the United States, which is equivalent to 186 orders per second. To fulfill these deliveries, Amazon is also said to have over 40,000 semi-trucks and 30,000 vans used for transporting goods, and these vehicles are on the same roadways we all use on a daily basis. https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/amazon-logistics-statistics/

Unfortunately, this growing trend has led to an increase of car accidents with delivery vehicles. An increase in car accidents is never a good thing as motor vehicle crashes are preventable but continued to be a leading cause of death in the United States, resulting in an average of 36,791 deaths each year—or what amounts to ~101 deaths every day—between 2015–2019. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7126a1.htm

FedEx Express drivers, between the years 2012-2017, saw an increase of 254.5% in the number of car crashes they were involved in, the number of injuries because of these accidents has increased by 192%, and the number of fatalities has increased by 273%. https://www.ktvu.com/news/off-duty-ups-driver-dies-after-accident-with-fedex-truck-on-i-880-near-coliseum

In the same timeframe, UPS drivers were reported to have been involved in 2,003 crashes—689 of those car accidents involving injuries and 49 deaths as a result of those car accidents. Since 2012, the number of crashes has increased by 38 %, the number of injuries due to car accidents has increased by 27 %, and the number of fatalities has increased by 25.6%. https://www.ktvu.com/news/off-duty-ups-driver-dies-after-accident-with-fedex-truck-on-i-880-near-coliseum

Accidents can be even more severe when they’re with the larger delivery trucks, used to haul freight. This is an inevitable result as the number/need for deliveries continue to increase. Between 2020-2021, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by 18% from and the large truck involvement rate increased by 8%. Also, fatal crashes involving large trucks tend to occur in rural areas and on Interstate highways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) reports that 54% of all fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2021 occurred in rural areas, 26% occurred on Interstate highways, and 12% of accidents fell into both categories as they occurred on rural Interstate highways. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2021 Ohio has been seen as a prime location for fulfillment/distribution centers as there’s over 10 Amazon fulfillment centers across the state in addition to the several FedEx/UPS fulfillment centers. With that in mind, be aware of these delivery vehicles as you’re traveling throughout Ohio’s rural areas, such as Bowling Green, OH or through rural counties like Putnam or Paulding County, Ohio.

These statistics are alarming, and they should remind you to always stay vigilant while driving, especially when you’re around these larger box trucks that Amazon/UPS/FedEx all tend to use for deliveries. Though at Charles Boyk Law, we know you can be the safest driver/passenger and take as many precautions as possible but still find yourself injured in an accident with these delivery vehicles because of someone else’s negligence. If you find yourself in that situation, don’t wait to contact our experienced Amazon/FedEx Accident Attorneys. We’ll make sure you always have someone fighting for you, so these major delivery companies don’t take advantage of you and pay for the full compensation you deserve.

What Trucking/Delivery Companies Have the Most Car Accidents?

Delivery or commercial trucks have been and continue to be an essential part of America—for the average household and for the country’s economy. However, the statistics show that these vehicles and the increase of their use come with inherent dangers, including the risk of accidents with other drivers/passengers on the road. While many of the major companies are responsible for a magnitude of car accident each year, some have been involved in more accident than others.

Being one of the largest logistics/delivery companies in the US, FedEx leads the list of companies with the most accidents. Between mid-2020 and mid-2022, FedEx reported 1,160 total crashes, 109 fatal crashes, and 911 accidents that resulted in injuries. https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&original_query_param=NAME&query_string=86876&original_query_string=FEDEX%20EXPRESS Next, on the list is UPS—known as the largest trucking company in the US as it has 134,000 vehicles and 127,000 drivers. Between April 2020-April 2022, UPS reported 1,082 crashes, 74 fatal crashes, and 1,053 accidents that resulted in injuries. https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&original_query_param=NAME&query_string=21800&original_query_string=UNITED%20PARCEL%20SERVICE%20INC

Are Postal/Delivery Drivers Exempt from Traffic Laws?

No, postal workers and drivers that work for major delivery companies like Amazon, FedEx, or UPS are not exempt from traffic laws. These drivers must obey all federal, state, and local traffic laws including their own internal driving policy. This includes laws that require they follow the posted speed limit, yield the right-of way, obey all traffic signals and signs, refrain from distracted driving, as well as other important laws that are designed to keep all drivers/passengers on the road safe.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident with a postal or UPS/FedEx/Amazon driver who violated a traffic law, you’re entitled to take legal action against both the driver and/or the employer or delivery company for any injuries or damages you have as a result of the accident. At Charles Boyk Law, our car accident attorneys are well-versed in the federal, state, and local traffic laws, and they can meet with you to discuss all of your legal options. Contact our office today for a free consultation!

Common Causes of Delivery Car Accidents

Our team of experienced trial attorneys has been successful in securing compensation for countless parties who were injured in an accident caused by Amazon/FedEx/UPS drivers. These accidents can be caused by a variety of reasons. Often the most common causes of these delivery vehicle accident include the following factors:

• Inexperience. The increases demand for deliveries and therefore increased need for delivery drivers has resulted in Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and other major delivery companies hiring drivers at an unprecedented rate and cutting their training time shorter than ever before, so they can get drivers on the road to keep up with their orders. Still, these companies are responsible for adequately training their drivers and ensuring their employees do not drive in a manner that may cause injuries to other drivers/passengers. Their drivers should also be qualified for their positions, so it’s often expected that these major delivery companies conduct background checks into these driver’s driving history. If a company fails to do this and they hire a driver whose driving records makes them unqualified for the position, our accident attorneys can pursue an independent claim against the company itself for their failure.
• Speeding. Often, a delivery driver has a jam-packed scheduled and they’re fighting with the pressure from their employer to get all their items delivered on time. When a driver finds themself running behind, it’s common for them to begin traveling above the speed limit in hopes they’ll either get ahead of schedule or get everything out on time.
• Aggressive Driving. For the same reasons as why a delivery driver may speed, they also might be willing to engage in risky driving behaviors in order to meet their tight deadlines. This can include abrupt braking, illegally switching lanes, or maybe cutting off oncoming traffic. If you’ve been injured because of aggressive driving actions like these, Charles Boyk Law’s accident attorneys will be sure that the responsible driver is held accountable.
• Distracted Driving. Delivery drivers rely on GPS navigation systems, which provides the most efficient route for all of their delivery stops. Additionally, they may need to respond to dispatchers to coordinate overall logistics all while driving these larger-sized vehicles. This type of multitasking has led to many collisions, leaving many injured.
• Illegal turns/going down one-way streets. In efforts to meet their strict deadlines, sometimes delivery drivers have been seen disregarding street signs that prohibit U-turns or driving down the wrong way on a one-way street. Sometimes this is by accident and sometimes this is intentional. Nonetheless, it still poses real danger to other drivers/passengers or pedestrians in the area, so if you’ve been injured as a result of an Amazon/FedEx/UPS driver’s actions be sure you consult with one of our trained car accident attorneys.
• Driver Exhaustion/Fatigue. Due to the increasing popularity of home delivery, Amazon/FedEx/UPS drivers often work long hours, sometimes several days in row, to keep up with the demand and because the major companies offer a large incentive for doing so—especially during busy season like during the holidays. While for many of us who use these delivery companies, this is a good thing. It’s not a positive for the drivers on the road alongside of these Amazon/FedEx/UPS drivers who have been working 10-hour days for six days straight. There’s a large risk that these drivers may fall asleep behind the wheel. But even if they manage to stay awake, they can be drowsy as there’s often short periods of time between their shifts, which is also dangerous. Driving while drowsy has been compared to similar effects of driving while drunk. For example, drivers who drove while drowsy were responsible for at least 91,000 car crashes, 50,000 injuries, and 795 deaths in 2017. Keep this in mind if you’re on the roads next to Amazon/FedEx/UPS drivers, especially during the overnight hours.
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance. Similar to how Amazon, FedEx, and UPS are responsible for ensuring their employees are adequately trained, they also must ensure their vehicles/delivery trucks are being adequately cared for so they’re safe to drive. These vehicles are in constant use and are driven down a variety of highways/streets in various conditions, so these companies need to maintain their vehicles by consistently checking/replacing mechanics such as the brakes, tires, as well as other critical aspects of the vehicle. If you were injured in an accident caused by the faulty brake system of an Amazon/FedEx/UPS vehicle or cause by some other mechanical failure, consult with one of our Ohio Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyers right away. Our accident lawyers will pursue all available legal avenues to get you a recovery.

What Kinds Of Injuries Are Common In Car Accidents with Amazon/UPS/FedEx Trucks?

As mentioned, these delivery companies sometime utilize large vehicles, such as semi-trucks, but also, they often have smaller box-trucks on the road. Depending on the size of the delivery vehicle as well as the factors that contributed to the crash, the resulting injuries can vary vastly. Often, injuries after an Amazon/UPS/FedEx car accident include:

• Broken bones—such as ribs, arms, legs, hips, etc.
• Concussions and Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
• Arm/hand or shoulder injuries, including ligament damage
• Knee and leg injuries, including ligament damage
• Nerve damage
• Wounds throughout the body that require staples or stitches
• Facial scars or other scaring throughout the body
• Bodily disfigurements
• Injuries requiring surgery
• Emotional trauma

No matter your type of injury, our skilled accident lawyers at Charles Boyk Law Offices can help you ensure you receive a settlement that fully compensates you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Often your injuries lead to time off work, so you’re entitled to pursue compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial burden you’ve endured as a result of the accident. If you have questions or if you’re unsure whether your Amazon/UPS/FedEx car accident case is worth pursuing, reach out to our office today for a free case evaluation. Our trusted team of trained accident attorneys will be able to provide you with information regarding the legal process and with an idea on what to expect as far as a potential recovery.

After retaining our office, our team will be here to answer any questions you may during all stages of the process. This includes the initial investigation stage where our office first reaches out to the at-fault parties and their insurance companies, the medical treatment stage, litigation stage if we’re unable to obtain a fair settlement prior to filing a lawyer, the negotiation stage, and the settlement stage. We’re a full-service law firm and we can assist with a variety of matters that range from locating medical specialist for your specific conditions to negotiating down your medical bills in order to maximize your recovery.

Ohio Amazon/UPS/FedEx Car Accident Lawyers

After being injured in a delivery truck accident, you should be able to focus on your medical treatment and working towards your recovery. Let our team at Charles Boyk Law take the stress from the legal battle off of your shoulders, so you can put your energy into feeling better. These types of accidents can result in life-changing consequences, so be sure you have Charles Boyk Law’s team of trusted legal experts to get you the justice you deserve.