The number of car accidents that happen daily in the United States is astounding. Not all result in death or serious injury, but they can still have drastic consequences.
Trucking companies on the roads are major contributors to these accidents due to the sheer size of the trucks and other factors like driver fatigue. FedEx drivers are among the many delivery drivers known to get into accidents regularly.
When you or someone you know is in an accident with a FedEx truck, understand your rights and how a personal injury lawyer like those at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve to move on with your life.
Understanding Truck Accident Cases Involving FedEx Vehicles
FedEx has become one of the world’s leading logistics and delivery companies, with more than 200,000 trucks and other vehicles in its fleet [1]. The company manages millions of deliveries daily, meaning many FedEx trucks are on the road.
Like many other delivery companies, FedEx has seen its fair share of lawsuits and settlements due to accidents on the road. This trucking company is known for pretty severe injuries and deaths. In the two-year period ending in September 2024, their delivery trucks were involved in 15 fatal accidents and more than 250 accidents [2].
In May 2024, a family was hit head-on by a FedEx truck, and all succumbed to their injuries. This occurred in Del Rio, Texas, and the driver of the FedEx truck survived [3].
Common Causes of FedEx Truck Accidents
The causes of accidents by FedEx drivers vary from person to person, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some common reasons:
- Fatigue: FedEx truck drivers often work long hours, and when that happens, they can become tired and have slower reaction times.
- Speeding: When FedEx drivers speed to meet delivery deadlines, they can cause accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Being on their phone, looking at the GPS too much, or speaking on the phone with someone can distract drivers and lead to accidents.
- Mechanical Problems: Sometimes, vehicles have mechanical issues that cause accidents. If maintenance procedures aren’t followed, the truck itself can be unsafe.
- Reckless Driving: Aggressive driving, weaving in and out of lanes, and tailgating can all cause accidents.
- Poor Weather: Poor weather conditions can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Injuries Sustained by FedEx Accident Victims
There are a lot of different injuries you can experience when you get into a FedEx truck accident. You can experience something minor, or some even result in death.
One of the most common types of injuries we see from FedEx truck accidents is traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These can range anywhere from a mild concussion to something more serious that causes permanent cognitive impairment.
We also see a lot of spinal cord injuries from the truck hitting the car hard and fast. These can cause chronic pain, mobility issues, or even paralysis in the victim. Internal injuries are also common with severe FedEx truck accidents. These are often fatal if not treated right away, which is why it’s so important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
We also see minor injuries compared to the ones above, like broken bones, lacerations, whiplash, and soreness from the impact of the accident.
Types of Cases Our FedEx Truck Accident Attorneys Handle
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our team of attorneys has experience handling a variety of accidents caused by FedEx drivers. Some of the cases we can handle are:
- Rear-End Collisions: This happens when a FedEx driver runs into the back of another vehicle. It usually happens because of reckless driving, distracted driving, or tailgating.
- Side-Impact (T-Bone) Accidents: These tend to happen at intersections and when the FedEx driver runs into the side of another vehicle.
- Head-On Collisions: These are some of the most dangerous accidents caused by FedEx drivers because both vehicles hit each other from the front, leading to more serious injuries.
- Underride and Override Accidents: These are when a smaller car slides under the FedEx truck or the FedEx truck drives over a smaller car.
- Rollover Accidents: These happen because of sharp turns, improper loading, or speeding, causing the truck to flip over.
- Jackknife Accidents: This happens when the truck’s trailer forms a 90-degree angle, blocking lanes and causing others to run into the truck.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: These FedEx truck accidents happen when the truck driver hits someone and then flees the scene of the accident.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: These typically happen in urban areas where they share the road with FedEx drivers.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: These are complex accidents with several cars crashing into one another.
- Loading and Unloading Accidents: When unloading and loading product, accidents can happen if the truck driver isn’t following safety procedures.
What to Do Following a FedEx Accident
What you do right after an accident with a FedEx driver matters. Depending on how serious the accident is, what you’ll do first might vary. For example, if you’re seriously injured, getting medical attention needs to be first, but if you’re not, then documenting the scene can be one of the first steps. Here are a few things you’ll want to do following a truck accident:
- Seek medical attention for any injuries you might have sustained;
- Call the police and make a police report;
- Collect evidence like photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle, and visible injuries;
- Exchange information with other people involved in the accident, including any FedEx drivers;
- Avoid admitting fault for the accident;
- Call your insurance company to report the accident;
- Contact an experienced FedEx accident lawyer to help with your claim.
How an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a FedEx truck accident, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve. Dealing with large corporations like FedEx can be daunting, but our personal injury lawyers know how to navigate their complex legal and insurance structures.
Head-on semi-truck collision
Fatal truck sleeping compartment fall
Rear-end semi-truck accident
Cyclist struck by a truck on a bike line
Truck loading dock accident
T-bone truck collission
Our legal team will aggressively pursue full and fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, holding FedEx accountable for their negligence. With our personal injury lawyers by your side, you can trust that we will fight for maximum compensation while you focus on your recovery.
Here’s how a FedEx truck accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you:
- Comprehensive Case Evaluation: A personal injury attorney will thoroughly examine your case to determine who’s liable and the best course of action.
- Gathering Evidence: Lawyers gather evidence, such as witness statements, accident reports, and expert testimony, to build and strengthen your case.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies can be difficult to deal with, so an attorney will negotiate with them on your behalf.
- Calculating Damages: Attorneys will determine the full extent of the damages you should receive, such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
- Expert Testimony: A truck accident lawyer can work with other experts to bring in their testimony to strengthen your personal injury claim.
- Litigation: Our lawyers will take your FedEx truck accident case to court if necessary. We’ll represent you and fight for the compensation you deserve after the accident.
Liability for FedEx Delivery Truck Accidents
Who’s liable for a crash involving a FedEx vehicle is a huge component in personal injury cases. Even though most people assume it’s the driver, it can also be others. Potentially liable parties for these types of accidents include:
- FedEx: The corporation can be at fault for the actions of its drivers.
- Truck Drivers: A FedEx truck driver can be liable if they were negligent and caused the accident.
- Maintenance Companies: Companies responsible for truck maintenance might be held liable if they don’t perform the right maintenance procedures or do them correctly.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: Manufacturers can be liable if the FedEx truck isn’t safe to drive due to a faulty part.
Proving Liability for Accidents Involving FedEx Trucks
Proving liability is one of the most challenging parts of a FedEx accident claim following an accident with a truck driver. While it might seem obvious, it isn’t always that simple. Proving liability is vital to your claim to ensure you receive the best possible settlement that’s still fair to both parties. Some of the evidence they’ll use to establish liability in the accident includes:
- Truck Driver’s Schedule: To determine how many hours the FedEx truck driver worked and see if fatigue played a role in the accident.
- Time Logs: To establish where the truck driver was leading up to the accident based on their delivery schedule and route.
- Company Records: To see company policies and procedures to see if any were violated.
- Dispatch Records: To see what instructions were provided to the FedEx driver.
- GPS Data: This is used to track the truck’s movements leading up to the accident.
- Maintenance Records: To see if the truck was safe to drive.
- Surveillance Footage: To see what happened in real time.
- Electronic Communication Records: To see any text and emails between the driver and others while on the road.
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): To verify the driver and company are compliant with hours-of-service policies.
- Driver’s Employment Agreement and Contractual Obligations: Making sure there’s a relationship between the truck driver and FedEx.
Damages Our FedEx Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
As a FedEx truck accident victim, you’ll be entitled to certain damages. You might not be entitled to all of them, but these are the most common seen with these types of claims:
- Lost Wages: Since many can’t work for a period of time after serious accidents, lost wages will help cover expenses.
- Loss of Consortium: This compensates victims for the accident’s impacts on their relationships with loved ones.
- Medical Bills: This covers any immediate medical care and long-term medical care if necessary from the accident including surgeries and rehab.
- Pain and Suffering: These damages compensate you for the emotional and physical pain caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: You’ll be reimbursed for any property damage to your car, including repairs or replacements.
- Punitive Damages: Punitive damages will punish the liable party for reckless behavior or gross negligence.
- Wrongful Death: These damages can help victims’ loved ones cover funeral expenses, emotional suffering, and loss of income.
The Value of FedEx Truck Accident Claims
Regarding personal injury claims, the amount you’ll see with your settlement will vary depending on several factors. Factors that influence the value of your FedEx truck accident claim include:
- Severity of injuries
- Extent of property damage
- Degree of fault
If you are partially responsible for the accident, comparative fault laws may come into play depending on the state. These laws can reduce the value of your claim depending on the degree to which you’re found at fault. Working with a FedEx truck accident lawyer who will present evidence and negotiate for you can help limit how much your compensation may be reduced.
Insurance Coverage for FedEx Delivery Drivers
FedEx provides their truck drivers with liability insurance, including Flex drivers. This insurance coverage can impact a personal injury claim by changing the amount that the victim is owed. A FedEx truck accident lawyer, like one from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, understands the details of these policies and will help negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
The Time It Takes to Settle a FedEx Truck Accident Claim
After you’ve been involved in an accident with a FedEx truck, it will take some time to settle with the company and any other liable parties. Most personal injury cases with large companies settle within a few months to a year, but that isn’t always true.
Depending on how complicated the case is, it can take years to come to a settlement that works for everyone. That’s why hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer is important. They’ll fight for you and, hopefully, prevent you from waiting years for your compensation.
You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action
When it comes to taking action after a truck accident, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later. There’s a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but they vary across the United States. In general, it’s between one to six years. California, for example, has a statute of limitations of two years, while Kentucky’s is only one.
Contact a FedEx Truck Accident Attorney Today!
Legal representation following a FedEx truck accident will help ensure you receive your settlement and that it’s fair based on what happened. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a trusted personal injury law firm with a proven track record dealing with truck accidents, large corporations like FedEx, and similar businesses.
We work on a contingency fee policy where we don’t receive any legal fees until you obtain a settlement. Call our law firm at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to book your free consultation.
Resources: [1] FedEx; [2] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; [3] KPLC