Delivery Truck Accidents: Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and Their Legal Responsibility

Over the 24 months leading up to August 12, 2025, a total of 1,879 crashes involving a motor carrier were reported to the FMCSA. This alarming statistic reflects a growing crisis on Nebraska and Iowa roads. Many people use delivery services; these trucks flood our communities to meet online shopping demands. 

When a delivery truck accident disrupts your life, you need to understand your legal rights. Amazon, FedEx, and UPS have extensive legal teams ready to minimize their responsibility. At Hauptman O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve after these devastating accidents.

The Growing Danger of Delivery Trucks on Our Roads

Did you know that delivery trucks now make billions of stops annually? This creates risks for other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. More trucks on the road can mean more accidents and more serious injuries.

Rising accident statistics

Delivery truck accidents have become a growing concern. When a routine delivery leads to serious harm, having the right legal guidance can make all the difference. Federal safety data reveals disturbing trends about delivery truck accidents across the nation.

Current data shows:

• UPS vehicles were involved in more than 2,700 crashes within 24 months ending May 2024
• FedEx reported 1,847 collisions between 2023 and 2025, causing 39 deaths
• Amazon delivery contractors were found to have a higher average of safety violations than other carriers between 2019 and 2024
• Commercial vehicle driver fatigue contributes to an estimated 328,000 injury accidents annually

Why delivery truck accidents are increasing

Many factors can contribute to delivery truck accidents. Companies often prioritize speed and efficiency over safety. This puts the drivers under pressure to deliver goods, increasing the likelihood of serious accidents.

The main reasons for more delivery truck accidents include:

• Companies demanding too many deliveries per day, forcing drivers to speed and cut corners
• Poor training that doesn’t teach drivers how big their trucks are or where blind spots hide other cars
• Companies skipping truck maintenance to save money, leading to brake failures and other mechanical problems
• Drivers working long shifts without enough sleep, making them drowsy behind the wheel
• Drivers getting distracted by looking at their phones and GPS while driving

Types of Injuries From Delivery Truck Crashes

The size and weight of delivery trucks create devastating consequences in collisions. Even medium-sized delivery vans weigh more than cars, inevitably making a strong impact.

Delivery truck accidents can cause severe injuries, commonly including:

• Brain injuries that affect thinking and personality
• Spinal cord damage that can cause paralysis
• Broken bones that require surgery
• Internal organ damage
• Severe bleeding
• Severe burns from vehicle fires or hazardous materials
• Crush injuries from being trapped between vehicles
• Loss of limbs that require prosthetic devices

Understanding Legal Responsibility in Delivery Truck Accidents

Proving who is at fault for a delivery truck accident can be complex. Experienced truck accident attorneys know how to handle delivery companies. These lawyers understand the complex corporate structures and employment relationships. 

Delivery truck companies have the resources to protect themselves from fault in accident cases. Below are a few tactics employees and accident victims should know.

Employee vs. independent contractor status

The difference between employees and independent contractors can impact your compensation case. Employees are directly hired by a company, like many UPS and FedEx drivers. When they cause an accident on the job, the employer is typically liable for injuries and damages.

Independent contractors are not considered company employees. Since they are not employees, they may be blamed for the accident. When the fault lies with an individual, that person most likely won’t have enough insurance coverage. This structure can make it harder to pursue compensation.

How companies try to avoid liability

Major delivery companies have developed sophisticated strategies to minimize their exposure after accidents. Some corporate defense strategies used in accident cases may include:

• Immediate accident scene investigation to control evidence and witness statements
• Quick settlement offers before victims understand the full extent of their injuries
• Shifting blame to other drivers or road conditions
• Claiming independent contractor status to avoid direct fault
• Destroying or “losing” evidence like driver logs and vehicle maintenance records

How Different Delivery Companies Operate

Each major delivery company operates differently. This can create challenges for accident victims seeking compensation. Let’s see how the corporate structure and insurance arrangements vary between Amazon, FedEx, and UPS.

Amazon’s complex liability structure

Amazon has built a system that distances the company from legal responsibility when accidents happen.

Amazon’s delivery network includes:

• Delivery service partners: Small businesses that lease Amazon vans and hire drivers
• Amazon Flex drivers: Gig workers using personal vehicles through a mobile app
• Third-party carriers: Traditional shipping companies handling overflow
• Amazon logistics employees: Direct employees at distribution centers
• Seasonal contractors: Temporary workers during peak periods

By using third-party delivery partners, Amazon avoids directly employing most drivers. At the same time, it controls many aspects of their work through technology and strict performance standards. This setup can make it harder to know who’s legally responsible.

FedEx Ground’s contractor model

FedEx Ground uses a franchise-style model where contractors own the delivery routes and trucks. Although FedEx claims these contractors run independent businesses, the company still controls many parts of their operations. This has led to legal challenges in the past.

Key aspects of how FedEx Ground operates include:

• Requiring independent contractors to purchase and manage specific delivery routes
• Setting strict vehicle standards, including branding and equipment specifications
• Requiring insurance coverage that may leave gaps in accident protection
• Using overlapping insurance policies between contractors and FedEx

UPS’s traditional employment model

UPS uses regular employee drivers. This traditional model makes it easier to hold them responsible when accidents happen. 

Their approach includes:

• Hiring most drivers as full employees with complete benefits
• Running training programs that last several weeks
• Using technology to monitor driver behavior and vehicle performance
• Working with unions that affect how they handle discipline
• Carrying corporate insurance with much higher coverage limits

What to Do Immediately After a Delivery Truck Accident

What you do right after a delivery truck accident affects your ability to get fair compensation. While you are dealing with injuries and shock from the accident, you also need to protect your legal rights.

Actions to take at the accident scene

Your safety and medical care come first, but certain actions at the accident scene will advance your legal case. Delivery companies start building their defense right away, so you need to act quickly. Taking these steps helps you compete against their vast resources.

Essential actions include:

• Calling 911 right away to create an official record of the accident
• Seeking medical help even for injuries that seem minor but could get worse
• Taking thorough photos of vehicles, injuries, and road conditions
• Getting witness contact information before they leave
• Refusing to give statements to insurance representatives without a lawyer present

When company representatives contact you

Delivery companies send representatives to accident scenes or call victims soon after crashes. These people may seem helpful, but they only work to reduce the company’s responsibility. They use different strategies to get statements that can hurt your claim’s value.

When company representatives contact you, do the following:

• Politely refuse to discuss accident details beyond basic police report information
• Never sign any documents without having your lawyer review them first
• Don’t accept early settlement offers before you know how badly you’re hurt
• Send all communications to your lawyer
• Write down all contact attempts for your lawyer to use
• Remember that they may be recording what you say
• Don’t post about the accident or your injuries on social media

Medical Records You Need for Your Case

Good medical records are the foundation of winning delivery truck accident claims. Insurers carefully review medical records, looking for gaps they can use against you. Getting consistent medical care and keeping detailed records protects your case.

Critical medical documentation includes:

• Emergency room records showing your initial injuries and treatment
• Test results like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
• Doctor’s notes describing how your injuries change over time
• Physical therapy records showing your recovery efforts
• Prescription records for pain medicine and other treatments
• Specialist reports for serious or complex injuries
• Mental health records for emotional trauma treatment

Why You Must Act Fast After Your Accident

Time works against delivery truck accident victims in several ways. Nebraska and Iowa law set strict time limits for filing claims. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to compensation.

Delivery companies know that time helps them avoid responsibility. Every day without a lawyer gives these companies more chances to weaken your case.

Quick legal action saves:

• Electronic driver logs showing hours worked and routes taken
• Vehicle maintenance records that may show mechanical problems
• Security footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras
• Witness statements while memories are still fresh
• Physical evidence before vehicles are repaired or destroyed

Let Us Handle Your Delivery Truck Accident

Delivery truck accidents involving Amazon, FedEx, or UPS vehicles create serious problems for Nebraska and Iowa families. These corporations have huge resources dedicated to reducing their responsibility. But you deserve compensation for your injuries.

At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, we have one focus: protecting you and your family. Your rights and best interests are at the center of everything we do. We put your recovery first while fighting hard for the full compensation you deserve. You shouldn’t face these corporate giants alone when your future is at stake.

Contact us today to schedule your free case review. We’ll carefully look at your claim, explain your options, and help you understand what your case is worth. The consultation costs nothing, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. Call now to protect your rights and start your recovery.