Injured In A UPS Truck Accident In Missouri? Here’s What To Do And How We Can Help

Sansone & Lauber | | Truck Accidents Articles
Injured In A UPS Truck Accident In Missouri

If you were injured in a UPS truck accident in Missouri, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and the St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Sansone & Lauber can help you fight for every dollar you deserve.

Below is a clear, step-by-step guide written for crash victims and families across St. Louis and all of Missouri.

When a brown UPS truck slams into your car, rear-ends you in city traffic, or hits you while you’re walking or biking, the impact is massive. These vehicles are heavier, harder to stop, and often on tight delivery schedules — which means you pay the price when safety corners are cut.

Missouri is already a hot spot for serious truck wrecks. Recent data show that there were around 15,000 commercial vehicle crashes in Missouri in a single recent year — more than 40 truck accidents every day on average.

UPS delivery trucks are part of this bigger problem. And unlike ordinary passenger-car crashes, UPS truck accidents almost always involve a large corporation, complex insurance policies, and federal trucking regulations.

That’s where having an experienced Missouri truck accident law firm like Sansone & Lauber on your side can make all the difference.

Injured in a UPS truck crash anywhere in Missouri? Call Sansone & Lauber at (314) 863-0500 for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.

What Are My Rights After A UPS Truck Accident In Missouri?

If you were injured in a UPS truck accident in Missouri, you may have a strong personal injury claim against the UPS driver, UPS itself, and possibly other companies — and you can pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more, even if the insurance company is trying to blame you.

UPS trucks and their drivers are subject to federal trucking safety rules and Missouri negligence laws. If the driver was careless, if UPS failed to maintain the truck, or if safety rules were ignored, the company can often be held responsible for the harm you suffered.

Why UPS Truck Accidents Are Different From “Regular” Car Wrecks

UPS delivery trucks are:

  • Much larger and heavier than ordinary cars

  • Often weaving through tight neighborhoods, alleys, and crowded city streets

  • On tight schedules, with pressure to make fast deliveries

  • Governed by federal trucking regulations through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

A typical Missouri UPS crash may involve:

  • Multiple injured people (your vehicle and maybe others)

  • A corporate defendant (UPS) with teams of adjusters and defense lawyers

  • Important electronic data, such as black-box (ECM) data and GPS logs

  • Detailed maintenance, inspection, and driver qualification records

This is why you should not treat a UPS crash like a routine fender-bender. You need a law firm that understands trucking cases, not just regular car accidents.

Common Causes Of UPS Truck Accidents In Missouri

In our experience with commercial vehicle and delivery truck cases, some of the most common causes of UPS crashes in St. Louis and across Missouri include:

  • Driver fatigue and rushing deliveries

    • Long hours, unrealistic routes, and pressure to hit delivery quotas

  • Distracted driving

    • GPS devices, scanners, phones, in-cab computers, and looking for addresses instead of watching traffic

  • Rolling stops and failure to yield

    • Blowing through stop signs or pulling out from side streets and alleys

  • Unsafe backing and parking

    • Backing into traffic, parking in bike lanes, or blocking crosswalks

  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions

    • Especially dangerous on I-70, I-44, I-55, I-64/40, and busy corridors like Lindbergh, Manchester, and Kings highway

  • Poor vehicle maintenance

    • Worn brakes, bald tires, broken lights, or steering problems

  • Inadequate driver training or supervision

    • Drivers who are not properly trained to handle large delivery trucks in urban or residential areas

UPS and its drivers must follow federal safety rules, including hours-of-service limits, vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements, and driver qualification standards. Violations of these FMCSA rules can strongly support your claim.

What To Do Right After A UPS Truck Accident In Missouri (Step-By-Step)

If you or a loved one has just been hit by a UPS truck, here’s a simple checklist you can follow or share:

1. Call 911 Immediately

  • Report that you were in a crash with a UPS truck.

  • Ask for police and EMS.

  • If you’re in pain, don’t try to “tough it out.” Let paramedics check you.

2. Make Sure A Police Report Is Created

The police report is crucial in a commercial truck case.

  • Tell the officer in your own words what happened.

  • Point out any witnesses or nearby businesses with cameras.

  • Ask how to get a copy of the Missouri crash report later.

3. Get Medical Care Right Away

UPS trucks are heavy. Even “minor” impacts can cause:

  • Concussions

  • Neck and back injuries

  • Herniated discs

  • Internal injuries

See a doctor or go to the ER:

  • Describe all pain and symptoms.

  • Follow up with specialists, physical therapy, or imaging (MRI, CT) as recommended.

  • Keep copies of all medical records and bills.

4. Gather Information At The Scene (If You Can)

If you’re physically able — or ask a family member or friend to help:

  • Photograph the UPS truck, including:

    • License plate

    • USDOT number and any unit numbers on the side of the truck

    • Company markings (“UPS,” “UPS Freight,” etc.)

  • Photograph:

    • All vehicles involved

    • Damage to your vehicle

    • Skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signals

  • Get contact and insurance information for:

    • The UPS driver

    • Any other drivers involved

  • Get names and phone numbers of witnesses.

5. Do NOT Argue Or Admit Fault

It’s natural to say “I’m sorry” after any crash. Don’t.

  • Don’t apologize.

  • Don’t argue with the UPS driver.

  • Don’t guess about speed or distances — it’s okay to say, “I’m not sure.”

6. Do NOT Give A Recorded Statement To UPS Or Its Insurers

UPS and its insurers may contact you quickly after the crash and say they “just want your side of the story.”

  • You are not required to give a recorded statement.

  • Once you do, your words can be used against you later.

  • Politely say: “I’m hiring a lawyer and they will contact you.”

7. Preserve Evidence

Save:

  • Medical bills and records

  • Prescription receipts

  • Time-off work documentation

  • Photos, videos, and damaged items (like car seats, helmets, torn clothing)

8. Call A Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer

When a UPS truck is involved, time is critical:

  • Video footage from nearby businesses may be erased within days.

  • UPS’s internal data and records must be requested and preserved.

  • Witness memories fade quickly.

Call Sansone & Lauber at (314) 863-0500 as soon as possible so we can start protecting your rights and preserving key evidence.

Who Can Be Held Liable In A UPS Truck Accident?

One of the biggest advantages of having an experienced Missouri truck accident firm is knowing who to go after. In a UPS crash case, potential defendants may include:

  • The UPS driver

    • For careless or reckless driving (speeding, unsafe backing, distraction, etc.)

  • UPS (United Parcel Service, Inc.)

    • Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, UPS is often responsible for its drivers’ negligence when they are acting within the scope of their employment.

    • UPS may also be directly liable for failing to train, supervise, or monitor drivers or for pushing unsafe delivery schedules.

  • Third-party contractors or local delivery companies

    • In some regions, UPS may work with contracted drivers or smaller carriers, which can complicate liability and insurance.

  • Maintenance and repair companies

    • If poor maintenance (brakes, tires, steering) contributed to the crash.

  • Truck or parts manufacturers

    • If a defective part (brakes, tires, steering component) failed and caused or worsened the crash.

Trucking companies like UPS must follow FMCSA regulations on driver qualifications, hours-of-service, inspections, and maintenance.

How Missouri Law And Federal Trucking Rules Affect Your UPS Case

Missouri Negligence And Comparative Fault

Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system in personal injury cases. That means:

  • Each party is assigned a percentage of fault.

  • Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you can still recover money even if you are mostly at fault.

So even if UPS tries to argue that you:

  • “Stopped suddenly”

  • “Were speeding”

  • “Didn’t look before changing lanes”

…you may still have a strong claim if their driver was careless or broke safety rules.

Statute Of Limitations (Time Limit To File)

In most Missouri personal injury and truck accident cases, you generally have five years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.

Lawmakers have repeatedly proposed shortening this time in some bills, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer promptly to protect your specific deadlines.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)

UPS trucks operating in interstate commerce must follow federal regulations that cover:

  • Hours-of-service (to fight fatigue)

  • Vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance

  • Driver qualifications and background checks

  • Drug and alcohol testing

Violations of FMCSA regulations can be powerful evidence of negligence or reckless conduct in a Missouri UPS truck accident case.

What Compensation Can You Recover After A UPS Truck Accident In Missouri?

Every case is different, but victims of UPS truck crashes may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages

  • Medical bills

    • ER visits, hospital stays, surgery

    • Follow-up doctor visits, imaging, injections

    • Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation

  • Future medical care

    • Ongoing treatment for chronic pain

    • Future surgeries

    • Assistive devices (braces, wheelchairs)

  • Lost wages

    • Time you missed from work while recovering

  • Loss of earning capacity

    • If your injuries permanently limit the kind of work you can do

  • Property damage

    • Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged property

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Scarring and disfigurement

  • Loss of companionship (for spouses and families)

Punitive Damages

In rare cases involving gross negligence or recklessness — for example, a UPS driver who was drunk or blatantly ignoring safety rules — punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

How Sansone & Lauber Builds Strong UPS Truck Accident Cases

Sansone & Lauber is a St. Louis-based personal injury firm that aggressively represents truck crash victims throughout Missouri and Illinois. In serious UPS cases, we treat every claim as if it might go to trial, which means thorough investigation and preparation from day one.

In a typical UPS truck crash case, we may:

  • Visit the crash scene and photograph it at the same time of day and similar traffic conditions

  • Demand and analyze police reports and Missouri State Highway Patrol crash data

  • Request preservation of:

    • Black-box/ECM data

    • GPS and telematics data from the UPS truck

    • Driver logs and electronic logging device (ELD) records

    • UPS safety policies and training materials

  • Work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze:

    • Speed, braking, and impact angles

    • Driver reaction times

    • Visibility and line-of-sight issues

  • Hire medical experts and life-care planners to fully document:

    • Your injuries

    • Future treatment needs

    • Long-term impact on your ability to work and live normally

  • Calculate your full economic and non-economic damages

  • Handle all communications with UPS and its insurers so you can focus on healing

  • Prepare your case for mediation, settlement negotiations, or trial

And you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.

FAQs: UPS Truck Accident Claims In Missouri

1. Is UPS automatically responsible for a truck accident?

Not automatically — but often, yes, UPS can be held responsible.

If the UPS driver was an employee acting within the scope of their job, UPS is typically responsible under respondeat superior for the driver’s negligence. In some situations, a separate delivery contractor or another company may also share responsibility.

2. What if UPS says I was partly at fault?

Missouri’s pure comparative fault system means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not barred from recovering money just because UPS claims you share blame.

Even if:

  • You changed lanes,

  • You were going slightly over the limit, or

  • You braked suddenly …

…you may still have a strong case if the UPS driver was speeding, distracted, following too closely, or violated safety rules.

3. How long do I have to file a UPS truck accident lawsuit in Missouri?

In most Missouri truck accident and personal injury cases, you generally have five years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.

But there are exceptions — especially if a death is involved or if a government vehicle or dangerous roadway design also played a role. And laws can change. The safest move is to call a lawyer as soon as possible after the crash.

4. Should I talk to UPS or their insurance adjuster before I hire a lawyer?

No.

You should not give a recorded statement or sign any papers for UPS or its insurance carrier before speaking with a lawyer. Their job is to protect the company and pay as little as possible.

Once you hire Sansone & Lauber, we handle those calls for you so you don’t accidentally say something that could be twisted against you later.

5. How much is my UPS truck accident case worth?

There is no fixed “average” value. Your case value depends on:

  • How severe and permanent your injuries are

  • The amount of your medical bills and future treatment

  • Whether you can go back to your old job

  • The amount of available insurance coverage

  • How much pain, suffering, and life disruption the crash caused

  • Whether UPS or its driver broke safety rules

6. How much does it cost to hire Sansone & Lauber?

There is no upfront cost to hire us.

  • We work on a contingency fee, meaning no fee unless we win money for you.

  • We advance most case costs (experts, records, etc.) and are reimbursed only if we recover compensation.

If there’s no recovery, you owe no attorney’s fee.

Ready To Talk To A Missouri UPS Truck Accident Lawyer?Injured In A UPS Truck Accident In Missouri

A crash with a UPS truck can change your life in seconds. You may be facing surgery, months of physical therapy, time off work, and constant pain — all while a large corporation and its insurance companies work behind the scenes to limit what they pay you.

You don’t have to take them on alone.

If you were injured in a UPS truck accident on I-70, I-44, I-55, I-64/40, Highway 40, Manchester, Lindbergh, or any road in St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson County, Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City, or anywhere else in Missouri:

Call Sansone & Lauber now at (314) 863-0500 for a free, no-obligation consultation. No fee unless we win.