Statesboro UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

Navigating the aftermath of a traffic accident can be a daunting experience, and when the collision involves a large commercial vehicle like a UPS truck, the complexities and potential consequences are often significantly magnified. For individuals in Statesboro, Georgia, who have been impacted by such an event, understanding their rights and the legal landscape is crucial. Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is dedicated to assisting those injured in car and truck accidents, offering experienced legal guidance. Call a Statesboro UPS truck accident lawyer today for free at 912-764-3434 and see how we can help you.

UPS Accident Statistics

Large commercial vehicles, including those operated by companies like UPS, are integral to the flow of commerce and frequently utilize the roadways in Statesboro and the surrounding Bulloch County area. Statesboro’s location near the Port of Savannah means that major routes like I-16, Highway 67, and Highway 80 see significant amounts of freight traffic on a daily basis. Accidents involving large trucks are unfortunately common on Georgia roads, and Statesboro is no exception to that.

Furthermore, over the past decade, Americans have increasingly turned to online shopping as a means of purchasing goods and services. In order to keep up with the delivery demand, national delivery companies like UPS have been forced to increase the size of their delivery fleets.

As one of the largest and one of the more well-known freight delivery services worldwide, UPS is a leader in the trucking industry. Based in Atlanta, UPS utilizes 120,246 delivery vehicles; however, its delivery fleet of large trucks only includes around 5,900 trucks.

Despite being the largest trucking company in the U.S., with 134,000 vehicles and a workforce of 127,000 drivers, UPS is also one of the most dangerous. From April 2020 to April 2022, UPS had:

• Over 1,082 crashes
• 74 fatal crashes (second-highest nationwide)
• 1,053 injury accidents (second-highest nationwide)

Why are UPS Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Collisions involving large commercial trucks, such as those operated by UPS, are often far more devastating than accidents between passenger vehicles alone. This is primarily due to the significant disparity in size and weight. The sheer mass of a fully loaded truck can cause catastrophic damage and severe injuries in a collision.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents:

Due to the forces involved, injuries in truck accidents can be severe and life-altering. These may include:

• Whiplash
• Back injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Crush injuries
• Permanent consequences such as brain damage, limited mobility, paralysis, or amputation.
• Fatal injuries.
• Severe injuries that may require lifelong medical care or assisted living.

Determining Liability in a UPS Truck Accident

When a UPS truck is involved in an accident in Statesboro or anywhere in Georgia, identifying the parties responsible for the resulting injuries and damages can be complex. Potential liable parties may include:

• The UPS Driver: If their negligence, such as distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, or driving under the influence, caused the accident.
• UPS as a Company: Trucking companies can be held responsible if their negligence contributed to the crash. This could involve inadequate hiring or training of drivers, improper vehicle maintenance, or often pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations.
• Third Parties: Other entities might share responsibility, such as a maintenance company that failed to properly service the truck, a manufacturer of a defective part (like faulty brakes), or even the party that improperly loaded the cargo before the truck driver left for deliveries.

Establishing negligence is the foundation of most personal injury cases in Georgia. To prove negligence, the injured party must show that the responsible party owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, the breach directly caused the accident and injuries, and that actual harm or damages resulted. These cases can be complex and often have the best results when hiring an experienced Statesboro UPS truck accident lawyer. Let us handle your case for you and get you the most compensation out of your claim. Call us today at 912-764-3434 for a free consultation today.

Steps to Take After a UPS Truck Accident in Statesboro

If you are involved in an accident with a UPS truck in Statesboro, taking the correct steps immediately following the incident is critical for your health and any potential legal claim.

1. Ensure Safety and Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Move to a safe location if possible. Even if you feel fine, get checked by first responders or visit a doctor within 24 hours, as some severe injuries may not be immediately apparent. Keep all medical records, as they are vital evidence.
2. Report the Accident to the Police: Georgia law requires reporting accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage over $500. The police report provides an official, impartial account of the crash and can include key details like initial assessments of fault and witness information.
3. Collect Evidence at the Scene: If it is safe to do so, gather as much information as possible. Take photos and videos of the vehicles involved, damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
4. Be Cautious When Speaking with Insurance Adjusters: Trucking companies and their insurers often act quickly after an accident to minimize their financial exposure. They may contact you to offer a low settlement or request a recorded statement that could be used against you. It is recommended to politely decline giving a recorded statement or signing any documents until you have spoken with an attorney.
5. Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney: Due to the complexity of truck accident cases, the severe injuries often involved, and the tactics used by large trucking companies and their insurers, it is highly advisable to seek legal counsel promptly. A Statesboro UPS truck accident lawyer can investigate the accident thoroughly, identify all liable parties, gather and preserve critical evidence (like black box data), handle all communication with insurers, and work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

Georgia Personal Injury Laws and Your Claim

Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages as long as your degree of fault is less than 50%. However, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more responsible, you cannot recover any damages. A Statesboro UPS truck accident lawyer can work to minimize your assigned fault.

The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in Georgia, including those stemming from truck accidents, is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions, particularly for claims against government entities, which may have shorter deadlines (typically requiring notice within six months and the claim filed within one year). Missing the applicable deadline usually means losing your right to pursue compensation. Consulting with a Statesboro UPS truck accident lawyer quickly ensures your claim is filed within the correct time frame.

Compensation Available When You Work with A Statesboro UPS Truck Accident Lawyer

If your truck accident claim is successful, you may be entitled to recover various types of damages under Georgia law. These can include:

• Economic Damages: Tangible financial losses such as past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The 2025 tort reform law may impact the calculation of these damages.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving a defendant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongful behavior and deter others. In Georgia, punitive damages are generally capped at $500,000, or $1 million for intentional misconduct.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If a loved one was killed in a truck accident, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the “full value of the life” of the deceased.

How Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Can Help

Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, especially one involving a major company like UPS, requires experienced legal representation. When someone is involved in a truck accident, chances are that the injuries sustained are never minor. Truck accident victims often lose their ability to make a living while incurring tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
Those injured in truck accidents usually incur mounting medical debt, all while not being able to work and receive a paycheck due to the accident. Meanwhile, trucking companies actively fight against claims, utilizing teams of lawyers and experts against the injured party.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm levels the playing field against those attorneys. Our Statesboro UPS truck accident lawyer team gives our clients their own team of professionals and investigators, strengthening their claim while fighting for every penny that the trucking company owes them. Past and future medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning ability for the future—with our guidance, our clients have claimed all this and more, allowing them to secure the maximum amount of compensation. Call our law firm today at 912-764-3434 for a free consultation.