Delivery trucks from UPS and FedEx are a constant presence on Austin roads. If one of these drivers causes an accident, the injuries can be severe, and the legal process can be far more complicated than in a typical crash.
McMinn Law Firm has been fighting for accident victims in Austin for decades and is ready to help you next. Our Austin UPS and FedEx delivery truck accident lawyers bring over 50 years of combined experience and have secured more than $500 million for our clients across Texas.
Contact us today at (512) 474-0222 to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
How McMinn Law Firm Handles Delivery Truck Accident Claims in Austin, Texas
At McMinn Law Firm, our Austin truck accident attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers who know the tactics these corporations use from the inside. We know where the leverage points are, and we use that knowledge to our clients’ benefit.
If you hire our Austin personal injury lawyers after a delivery truck accident, we will:
- Investigate the accident and secure evidence before the delivery company can alter or destroy it
- Obtain driver logs and other evidence
- Determine the driver’s employment status and what it means for your claim
- Identify all parties that may share liability for the crash
- Calculate the full scope of your damages, including long-term medical needs
- Negotiate aggressively or take your case to trial if that is what it takes
Contact our law office in Austin, TX, today to arrange a free consultation. We’re confident we can help you take appropriate legal action.
Who Is Liable When a UPS or FedEx Driver Causes a Crash in Austin?
This is one of the most important questions in any delivery truck accident case, and the answer is not always straightforward. Liability depends largely on whether the driver is classified as a direct employee of the company or as an independent contractor.
UPS Drivers
UPS typically employs its drivers directly. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, that means UPS can be held vicariously liable when one of its drivers causes an accident while performing job duties. This generally provides injured victims with a clearer path to holding the corporation accountable.
FedEx Ground Drivers
FedEx Ground (as opposed to FedEx Express) has historically used independent contractors through what it calls Independent Service Providers. This business model allows FedEx to argue that it should not be held liable for a contractor’s negligence.
However, Texas courts will look at how much control FedEx actually exercised over the driver’s route and schedule. Depending on the circumstances, courts may examine the company’s right to control the details of the driver’s work, along with other factors, to determine whether FedEx can be held responsible.
Other parties may also bear fault in these cases. A maintenance provider that failed to properly service the vehicle or a manufacturer that produced a defective part could share liability as well.
Our truck accident lawyers in Austin will examine every angle to make sure no responsible party goes unaccounted for.
What Causes UPS and FedEx Truck Accidents in Austin?
Some of the most frequent causes of delivery truck accidents in Austin include:
- Speeding to stay on schedule during peak delivery periods
- Distracted driving caused by handheld scanners or navigation systems
- Double-parking or stopping in active traffic lanes to make deliveries
- Backing up without properly checking for pedestrians or vehicles
- Failing to yield when pulling away from a delivery stop
- Fatigue from long shifts, especially during holiday surges
- Poor vehicle maintenance that leads to brake or tire failures
Austin’s rapid growth and increasingly congested roads only make these risks worse. If a delivery driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you have the right to pursue a claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Delivery Truck Accident Claim in Texas?
Texas usually gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases. If you don’t file your claim within this statute of limitations, you could lose your right to pursue compensation through a lawsuit.
Two years can pass quickly, and critical evidence from these cases has a way of disappearing if it is not preserved early. The sooner you speak with a truck accident attorney, the better your case will be.
Contact Our Experienced Austin FedEx and UPS Truck Accident Lawyers for Help
Were you involved in an accident involving a UPS or FedEx truck on Austin’s roads? McMinn Law Firm has the experience and the results to go up against major delivery corporations and demand the compensation you deserve.
Our Austin UPS and FedEx delivery truck accident attorneys have recovered more than half a billion dollars for injury victims, and we bring that same level of commitment to every case we take on. Call us to learn more and for your free consultation today.
