Imagine a driver working a 10-hour shift during the holiday rush. They’re scanning addresses, dodging impatient commuters, and trying to beat the clock. Fatigue sets in. Maybe they skip a break to stay on schedule. It’s easy to see how a small mistake—like missing a stop sign or glancing at a GPS—can have big consequences after a FedEx or UPS truck accident.
And here’s the thing: This is no mere fender-bender. Delivery trucks are vast, heavy and difficult to stop in a hurry. When something happens, everything can become unspeakably tragic for the persons involved.
Common Causes of FedEx and UPS Truck Accidents
Below are some of the most common reasons behind FedEx and UPS truck crashes and what often leads to them.
1. Driver Fatigue
Drivers get tired from working long hours and having to deliver on time. A lot of FedEx and UPS drivers work long hours, sometimes with just short breaks between trips. When you’re tired, your response time and attentiveness get worse. A driver who is sleepy could miss a stop sign, slip into another lane, or turn too quickly.
Delivery workers don’t always have the option of pulling over to rest like people who drive passenger cars do. Even when you’re tired, the company’s route expectations can make it impossible to slow down. Fatigue builds up over time, and that’s when big mistakes arise.
2. Distracted Driving
You know what it’s like to see a delivery driver look at a handheld scanner or GPS while driving through traffic. These gadgets help keep track of deliveries and routes, but they also take up time. A second spent looking at the next stop could mean missing a car that is stopping in front of you or a person who is stepping off the curb.
Some things that can be distracting are:
- Navigating or confirming delivery addresses
- Talking on dispatch radios or phones
- Handling delivery scanners or tablets
- Eating or drinking on the go
Even a quick glance away from the road can lead to disaster when driving a 10,000-pound truck.
3. Speeding and Rushed Deliveries
FedEx and UPS operate under tight delivery windows. Drivers may feel pressure to beat the clock, especially during the holidays or after delays. That often means speeding, rolling through stop signs, or taking risky shortcuts.
A heavy truck takes longer to stop. Speeding reduces control and increases the force of impact in a collision. And when time pressure meets fatigue, drivers can make impulsive decisions just to stay on schedule.
4. Poor Vehicle Maintenance
FedEx and UPS maintain huge fleets of trucks. While both companies have systems for regular inspections, mechanical failures still occur—especially on older or overused vehicles.
Common maintenance issues include:
- Worn-out brakes
- Failing tires
- Faulty steering systems
- Dim or broken lights
A single neglected repair can make a truck dangerous on the road. Something as simple as a tire blowout on the freeway can cause a multi-car crash in seconds.
5. Weather and Road Conditions
Delivery drivers don’t get to call off for rain or snow. They work through it, which raises the risk of accidents. Slippery roads, low visibility, and high winds make maneuvering large trucks harder.
Icy intersections or sudden storms can turn a normal stop into a skid. Even experienced drivers can struggle to keep control when conditions change fast. That’s why winter months tend to see a spike in delivery-related crashes.
Quick Recap: Main Causes of FedEx and UPS Truck Accidents
- Driver fatigue: Working beyond the legal limits under FMCSA Hours of Service (49 CFR §395) slows reaction time and leads to mistakes.
- Distraction—Using scanners or phones violates FMCSA §§392.80–392.82, which bans texting and using hand-held devices while driving.
- Speed and pressure – Rushed schedules often cause speeding, violating §392.6, which forbids unsafe delivery timetables.
- Poor maintenance – Ignoring repairs breaches §396 rules on regular inspection and upkeep.
- Weather and inexperience – Drivers must adjust for bad conditions (§392.14) and receive proper training (§391).