You’re driving through San Diego. Traffic is heavy. Out of nowhere, a UPS truck slams into your car.
The impact is jarring. Your heart is racing. Your car is damaged.
Now what?
Commercial truck accidents are different from regular car crashes. UPS is a major corporation with deep pockets and a legal team ready to minimize payouts. You need to know your rights and take the right steps immediately.
The moments after a truck collision are critical. What you do now can make or break your claim.
1. Call 911 and Get Medical Help
Even if you feel okay, call 911. Some injuries don’t show up right away. Adrenaline masks pain.
Many crash injuries appear hours or days later. Get checked by paramedics. Go to the hospital if they recommend it.
2. Document Everything at the Scene
Your phone is your best tool. Use it.
Take photos of:
Get the UPS driver’s information. Name, employee ID, and insurance details. If witnesses saw what happened, get their contact information too.
3. File a Police Report
A police report creates an official record of the crash. The California Department of Motor Vehicles requires reporting any accident causing injury or property damage over $1,000.
The police report will document the scene, statements, and any violations. This becomes crucial evidence for your claim.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer, but be careful. Give them basic facts only. Don’t admit fault. Don’t speculate about injuries.
Remember: your insurance company is not your advocate in these situations.
5. Talk to a UPS Truck Accident Lawyer Before Signing Anything
UPS and their insurance carriers will contact you quickly. They may seem friendly. They may offer a fast settlement.
Don’t sign anything. Don’t give recorded statements. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible.
An experienced attorney can handle all communication and fight for maximum compensation.
This is where commercial truck accidents get complicated. Multiple parties could share responsibility.
The UPS Driver
If the driver was negligent, they’re liable. Common causes include:
Under California Civil Code Section 1714, everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care in managing their property or person.
UPS as the Employer
California law holds employers responsible for employee actions during work hours. This is called vicarious liability or “respondeat superior.”
When a UPS driver causes a crash during deliveries, UPS can be held liable for damages.
Vehicle Maintenance Companies
If faulty brakes or mechanical failures caused the crash, the company responsible for truck maintenance could share liability.
Other Drivers
Sometimes multiple drivers contribute to an accident. California uses comparative fault rules. Even if another driver shares some blame, you can still recover damages.
UPS truck accidents often cause serious injuries. These vehicles weigh thousands of pounds more than passenger cars.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages:
Non-Economic Damages:
California law protects your right to full compensation. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Commercial truck collisions cause more severe injuries than typical car accidents.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, large truck crashes result in higher injury rates.
Common injuries include:
These injuries require extensive treatment. Medical bills pile up fast. You need compensation that covers everything.
Fighting a corporation like UPS is not the same as dealing with an individual driver.
Deep Corporate Resources
UPS has teams of lawyers whose job is protecting the company’s bottom line. They investigate accidents immediately. They look for ways to deny or minimize your claim.
Federal Regulations
Commercial trucking companies must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These rules cover driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and more.
Violations of these regulations can strengthen your case. But you need an attorney who understands federal trucking law.
Higher Insurance Policies
UPS carries much higher insurance coverage than private drivers. This means potential for greater compensation, but insurance companies fight harder to protect those larger policies.
You have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in California.
This comes from California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation.
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.
UPS and their insurance will try to blame you. It’s a standard tactic to reduce their payout.
They might claim:
Don’t let them intimidate you. California uses pure comparative negligence. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover damages proportional to the other driver’s fault percentage.
An attorney gathers evidence proving what really happened. Traffic camera footage. Witness statements. Accident reconstruction. We build the truth.
No. Almost never.
Initial settlement offers are usually a fraction of what your claim is worth. Insurance adjusters count on victims accepting fast money out of desperation or ignorance.
Once you accept and sign, you can’t ask for more later. Even if complications arise. Even if injuries worsen.
Let an attorney evaluate what you actually deserve before considering any offer.
We’ve handled commercial truck accident cases throughout San Diego. We know how UPS and big insurance companies operate.
Our team will:
You’ve been through enough. Let us fight the legal battle while you focus on recovery.
Commercial truck accidents can change your life in an instant. The path to fair compensation is rarely easy when you’re up against a corporation like UPS.
You need an experienced San Diego truck accident attorney who won’t back down.
At DP Injury Attorneys, we offer free consultations. No upfront fees. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call us or contact us online. Let’s get you the compensation you deserve.
Arthur Paul D’Egidio is the Managing Partner of DP Injury Attorneys, a San Diego personal injury law firm. With more than 12 years of experience in California injury law, he has dedicated his practice to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and falls, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Arthur received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California as well as the San Diego County Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a Super Lawyer for seven straight years by Thomson Reuters and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers.
