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UPS Truck Accidents in South Carolina
Here to help when you’re injured in an accident with a UPS truck in South Carolina
UPS trucks are a familiar sight here on South Carolina’s roads and highways, delivering packages to homes, businesses, and warehouses each day. However, when one of these large vehicles is involved in a wreck, the results can be devastating. Unlike accidents with regular passenger vehicles, crashes with a UPS semi-truck, tractor-trailer, big rig, or 18-wheeler often lead to life-changing injuries or even fatalities. If you’ve been hurt in a collision with a UPS truck, you may be facing painful injuries, time away from work, and a mountain of medical bills. You probably also have questions, like who is responsible for the crash? Can I file a lawsuit against UPS? How do I protect my rights?
At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we help people throughout South Carolina who have been seriously injured in UPS truck accidents. In this guide, we’ll explain why these wrecks happen, what makes them different from other crashes, and how working with a skilled UPS truck accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
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How Can We Help?
- Why are South Carolina UPS truck accidents so serious?
- What are some common causes of UPS truck accidents in South Carolina?
- What are some common injuries in South Carolina UPS truck accidents?
- Who is responsible for a UPS truck crash?
- What should I do after a UPS truck accident in South Carolina?
- How do your lawyers build a UPS truck accident case?
- What is my South Carolina UPS truck accident worth?
- Why do I need a South Carolina UPS truck accident lawyer?
- Do you have a South Carolina UPS truck accident lawyer near me?
Why are South Carolina UPS truck accidents so serious?
A typical UPS delivery truck, semi-truck, or tractor-trailer is much larger and heavier than a passenger car. When you add tight delivery schedules and long driving hours to the equation, the risk of serious wrecks increases significantly. Some UPS vehicles involved in accidents include:
Standard brown UPS delivery trucks
- UPS 18-wheelers hauling packages between hubs
- UPS big rigs traveling on major interstates and highways
- UPS tractor-trailers moving bulk shipments
These large trucks can cause severe damage in a crash due to:
- Longer stopping distances
- Large blind spots
- High centers of gravity (increasing rollover risks)
- The sheer weight and size of the truck
Because of these dangers, UPS drivers must follow strict federal and state trucking regulations. When those rules are ignored, people in smaller vehicles usually suffer the worst outcomes.
What are some common causes of UPS truck accidents in South Carolina?
UPS drivers are under constant pressure to deliver packages quickly and on time. Unfortunately, that can sometimes lead to dangerous truck driver mistakes and unsafe driving habits. Here are some of the most common causes of UPS truck wrecks in South Carolina.
- UPS drivers, especially those operating long-haul tractor-trailers and semi-trucks, often work long shifts. Even though federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations limit driving time, drivers sometimes push themselves past safe limits to meet tight schedules. Fatigue can cause slower reaction times, poor judgment, and falling asleep at the wheel.
- A UPS driver may try to check delivery information, use a GPS, or handle package scanners while driving. Like texting while driving, these distractions can lead to serious wrecks in just seconds.
- To keep up with deliveries, some UPS drivers speed or drive aggressively, especially in neighborhoods, tight streets, or heavy traffic. Speeding in a big rig or 18-wheeler dramatically increases the stopping distance and the likelihood of losing control.
- Operating a tractor-trailer or semi-truck requires specialized training. If a UPS driver is not properly trained on how to handle their vehicle safely, they can make critical mistakes that cause serious crashes.
- UPS drivers must ensure their cargo is properly loaded and secured. Unbalanced or shifting loads can cause rollovers, jackknife accidents, and cargo spills, especially in UPS 18-wheelers or tractor-trailers.
- UPS is responsible for maintaining its fleet. If brakes, tires, steering systems, or other critical components fail due to poor maintenance, a serious wreck can occur.
What are some common injuries in South Carolina UPS truck accidents?
Because of the size and weight of tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and big rigs, the injuries from a UPS truck wreck can be especially severe. Some of the most common injuries we see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Neck and back injuries
- Severe cuts and lacerations
- Amputations
- Wrongful death
Many victims require long-term medical care, surgery, physical therapy, and time away from work, sometimes permanently.
Who is responsible for a UPS truck crash?
When it comes to UPS truck accidents in South Carolina, figuring out who is legally responsible can be complicated. Unlike a typical car crash, multiple parties may share responsibility, including:
- The UPS driver
- UPS as a company (the driver’s employer)
- Third-party maintenance providers
- Cargo loading companies
- Truck or part manufacturers
In many cases, UPS may be held liable for their driver’s negligence under a legal concept called "respondeat superior," which means employers can be held responsible for the actions of their employees while they are on the job.
However, UPS has a powerful legal team and insurance providers that will likely fight hard to minimize the company’s liability. They may try to blame the other driver, deny responsibility, or argue that the injuries aren’t serious. That’s why working with our experienced UPS truck accident lawyers is so important for protecting your rights and building a strong case.
What should I do after a UPS truck accident in South Carolina?
If you’re involved in a crash with a UPS truck, taking the right steps immediately can help protect your health and your case. Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911. Always report the accident to the police and request medical help. This will also generate a police report, which will be important to your case.
- Get checked out by a medical professional immediately, even if you feel okay. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away.
- If you can, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, your injuries, and the surrounding area.
- Get the UPS driver’s name, contact info, truck number, and insurance details. Also, try to get contact information from any witnesses.
- Avoid speaking to UPS’s insurance adjusters. Their goal is to minimize payouts. Politely decline to give recorded statements without first talking to your lawyer.
Then, contact a UPS truck accident lawyer. The sooner you reach out to a legal team like McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and gathering critical evidence.
How do your lawyers build a UPS truck accident case?
Truck accident cases are not the same as regular car accident claims. There are special regulations, more complex liability issues, and trucking companies like UPS will aggressively defend themselves. Our experienced UPS truck accident lawyers can:
- Investigate the wreck thoroughly
- Request and review the driver’s logs, maintenance records, and delivery schedules
- Obtain GPS tracking, black box data, and dashcam footage
- Analyze shipping and cargo records
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Calculate both your current and future damages
Without this kind of detailed investigation, key evidence can be lost, and UPS’s insurance company may try to take advantage of you. We can help.
What is my South Carolina UPS truck accident worth?
If you were seriously injured in a UPS truck crash, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past, current, and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death (if a loved one was killed in the accident)
Trucking companies and their insurers will often offer quick settlements that don’t fully cover your losses. Your lawyer can help you understand the true value of your case and fight for fair compensation.
Why do I need a South Carolina UPS truck accident lawyer?
Going up against a large company like UPS on your own is extremely difficult. They have extensive legal resources and experienced insurance teams working to reduce their liability. At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we know how to handle complex truck accident cases. We are committed to:
- Standing up to powerful trucking companies
- Protecting the rights of injury victims and their families
- Thoroughly investigating each crash to uncover the truth
- Building strong cases that hold negligent parties accountable
We have the knowledge, resources, and experience needed to handle UPS truck accident lawsuits throughout South Carolina.
Do you have a South Carolina UPS truck accident lawyer near me?
McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC has offices throughout the state of South Carolina:
- Rock Hill
- Charleston
- Columbia
- Myrtle Beach
- Greenville
We also serve clients throughout the State of South Carolina in all 46 counties, including Sumter, Anderson, Orangeburg, Hilton Head, Aiken, and Spartanburg.
Our attorneys offer phone and video consultations and can make home and hospital visits when needed. Rest assured that we are always close by when you need us the most.
Contact our experienced South Carolina UPS truck accident attorneys today
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a UPS truck accident involving a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, big rig, or 18-wheeler, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Our team is ready to answer your questions, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you move forward. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.