The United Postal Service (UPS) is one of the largest delivery companies, with approximately 120,000 delivery vehicles in operation worldwide. Unfortunately, UPS and its drivers do not always prioritize safety. Sharing the road with the UPS truck in New Mexico could end in disaster. If you get injured in a UPS truck accident, take certain steps to help ensure the preservation of your rights.
Put Your Safety First
Your top priority should always be your personal health and safety. Pull over in a safe location as close to the crash scene as is practicable. Only exit your vehicle when it is safe to do so. Check yourself and everyone else involved in the crash for injuries. If you or someone else is injured, call for an ambulance or seek medical care right away.
Crash injuries may not be immediately obvious. Many common injuries, including whiplash and brain injuries, have delayed and hidden symptoms. Your adrenaline may be masking the signs of an injury. Seek professional medical care right away, even if you initially feel fine. Delaying a trip to the hospital can prove to be a disadvantage during an insurance claim.
Report the UPS Truck Accident
While you are still at the scene of the UPS truck accident, report it to law enforcement by calling 911. Remain at the scene until the police arrive so that you can give them your version of events. Do not, however, admit fault or partial fault. Law enforcement will record the basic information about the accident and may take official photographs to include in the police report. Write down your police report number before leaving.
Exchange Information
Motor vehicle drivers in New Mexico are legally required to exchange information with each other after an accident. Write down the UPS truck driver’s name, the truck number, license plate number, insurance information and other relevant details. If there were vehicle passengers or witnesses at the scene, get their information, as well.
Document the Crash
If you can, use a camera or smartphone to take photographs of the scene of the UPS truck accident. Include shots of damage to either vehicle, the location of the crash, nearby traffic signals, road conditions and wide-lens photos of the crash scene as a whole. Photos and videos of the crash scene can be useful in reconstructing the truck accident and determining causation.
Gather Evidence
In the days following your UPS truck accident, collect copies of all relevant documents and records. This may include a police report, medical records documenting your injuries, an injury or pain journal, photographs, surveillance video footage of the accident, and communications sent to you from UPS or its insurance provider.
File an Insurance Claim
Report the crash to UPS and your own car insurance company. Be cautious with insurance claims adjusters, however; an insurer may try to take advantage of you to protect its own profits. Do not admit fault or give a recorded statement to the adjuster. Before rushing into a fast insurance settlement agreement, consult with an attorney.
Contact an Experienced UPS Accident Attorney
Contact The Fine Law Firm for a free case consultation after a traffic accident involving a UPS truck or another type of delivery truck in New Mexico. We have resources and personnel to help you understand your rights and protect them during the recovery process. With over 40 years in business, we understand how New Mexico UPS truck accident cases work and will relentlessly pursue the best possible results for your case. Contact us today if you have been injured in a UPS truck accident.