It’s a terrifying scene – suddenly a huge truck comes barreling toward you. There’s no time to react and nowhere to go. The last thing you see before it smacks into your car is the unmistakable FedEx logo!
Any car accident is shocking, but a truck crash often ends up killing people in smaller vehicles. Even if you only have minor injuries, your car may be badly damaged.
Have you or someone you love been in a FedEx truck accident? There are now a lot of delivery drivers on the road rushing to make their delivery quotas, which can translate to a higher number of accidents.
Whether you’re a motorist or pedestrian, being in an accident is terrible especially if it involves a big vehicle and, unfortunately, all FedEx accidents are like this.
In this article, we’ll go over the most important things you need to know about this type of delivery truck accident. If you need legal representation to help you get fair compensation for a FedEx truck crash, contact Coluccio Law and our team will be glad to help.
The FedEx Company
Founded in 1971, Federal Express Corporation expanded into the global transport titan known as FedEx – the second biggest shipping company in America. Across its worldwide divisions, including Express, Ground, and Freight, are >210,000 motorized vehicles including many trucks. These range from its ubiquitous delivery vans to 80,000-pound semi-trucks.
What to Do if You Are Hit by a FedEx Truck
While the FedEx driver accident policy and other terms play a role, the most important thing right after an accident is to get the medical attention you require. Then, you should focus on collecting information to build a strong case.
Here are the steps you should take if you or a loved one is involved in a FedEx truck collision.
1. Call Emergency Services and Follow Medical Advice
If you can, the first thing you should do after a collision is call 911 and report the crash. The emergency operator will ask questions to determine your condition as well, so pay close attention and follow their instructions clearly.
In the case you require immediate medical attention, you’ll be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. That said, if you can move comfortably, following the next steps can solidify your case and help you get fairly compensated for your pain and damages later on.
The police should show up to the scene to take your statement, and it will also take some time for the ambulance to arrive so wait for both of these to arrive at the scene.
2. Collect Information from the Driver
While you are waiting for the ambulance and authorities to arrive, you should collect the driver’s details. This includes their name and driver’s license number, as well as the truck’s license plate, and any other detail that may come in handy later on.
A lot of this information appears on the police report, but collecting it right away will let your attorney work on your case right away.
3. Speak to Witnesses and Get Their Details
Next, take note of any witnesses and also get their details. Their name and contact information, preferably number numbers, should be enough for now. Your attorney will then contact the witnesses and conduct interviews to reconstruct the accident.
There are usually witnesses to an accident. So, even if there isn’t anyone walking or driving by, look around for restaurants and businesses with windows. If you go to these establishments, chances are the employees may have seen something.
4. Document the Accident Scene
If you have time, you should document the accident scene as well, paying close attention to any environmental factors that couldn’t have caused the accident.
For example, if the road is wet, has debris, or is otherwise compromised, make sure to take a photo where you can see the accident and the problem.
5. Contact Your Attorney
If you’re involved in an accident with a FedEx truck, you will most certainly need a lawyer. So, once you finish taking note of the scene, you should reach out to your attorney and inform them about the accident.
At Coluccio Law, our team of legal professionals can take care of all legal processes and responsibilities, giving you and your loved ones the time needed to heal from any injuries. Contact us today if you need assistance.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
You never want to exclaim, “A FedEx truck hit my car!” Regrettably, despite the company’s excellent safety record and policies, truck accidents are not uncommon.
These are some reported causes of FedEx trucks crashing:
- The truck’s parking brakes weren’t engaged.
- Failed to yield when merging back into traffic.
- Backed up after missing the delivery address.
- Didn’t obey traffic laws or signals.
- Inadequately trained drivers.
- Drove while tired or intoxicated.
- Failed to complete repairs or safety checks.
The Legal Side: Who’s Liable for the Damages?
In most cases, when an employee is involved in an accident during work hours, the employer is responsible for the damages.
With FedEx, it’s rarely this straightforward.
The reason for this is that most FedEx drivers are actually independent contractors. So, these individuals aren’t covered by FedEx’s umbrella but are instead proprietors of their own small ventures.
Furthermore, if the accident is due to maintenance negligence or a mechanical failure, it may be possible for the manufacturer or maintenance firm to be held accountable.
You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
It’s critical that you never admit liability to officials or the truck driver on the scene. The accident’s cause is often unclear.
It’s crucial that you hire a truck accident lawyer near you who ensures that victims receive the compensation they deserve to handle all medical expenses, possible loss of income, and vehicle repairs or replacement.
Recommended Article: Amazon – Now The Largest Package Delivery Carrier
Types of Truck Crash Injuries
Hopefully, you or a passenger will only have sustained minor injuries, but some can be serious:
- Back and Neck Injuries, such as whiplash, are not always immediately apparent.
- Spinal Cord Injuries are often permanent and require multiple surgeries and long rehabilitation.
- Head and Brain Trauma, ranging from mild concussions to permanent brain damage.
- Burns may require skin grafts and cause painful, permanent disfigurement.
- Amputations may require continuing medical treatment and adaptive prosthetic devices.
- Internal Injuries from blunt force trauma can damage vital internal organs.
- Bruises, Broken Bones, and Lacerations may cause permanent, disfiguring scars and the risk of serious secondary infections.
Recommended Article: Where Do Most Crashes Happen?
What Is Vicarious Liability?
Any FedEx driver involved in an accident will impact the company or its incorporated affiliates. If you or a passenger is wrongfully injured or killed in an accident, the company or its responsible partner may be held liable. This legal principle is called respondeat superior or ‘vicarious liability’, where an employer is held responsible for malfunctioning equipment or the behavior of on-duty employees.
The company may not have directly caused the accident, but it and its partners have a duty to follow its driver safety policy, all legal regulations, and traffic laws. The parent company and incorporated affiliates must ensure that its trucks are safe, properly inspected, and maintained.
Helpful Reading: Amazon DSP Program
What to Expect when Suing FedEx?
Suing FedEx can be extremely complicated. It has an in-house army of attorneys who are well-versed in the complex regulatory environment. Also, the company sells routes to other affiliates that employ their own contractors.
Scenarios for FedEx Truck Accidents
- A Defective Part or Poor Maintenance Caused the Crash: FedEx truck accident policy dictates that the owner of that route is liable. Even if the truck says “FedEx” on the side, you probably can’t hold the parent company accountable.
- The Driver is in Error: If the driver is a FedEx employee, then the company is liable. If the driver is employed by an incorporated affiliate, then that partner company is responsible.
- Hiring Practices: All companies should use best practices when hiring employees. If the employer failed to conduct background or reference checks and hired someone with a history of traffic violations or other disqualifying issues, then the company may be liable.
Getting the Right Legal Representation
If you’re looking for something like “FedEx truck hit my car” on Google, you’ll probably need an attorney.
Finding the right lawyer for your case is not always easy. At Coluccio Law, our goal is to give each one of our clients the space and resources needed to make a full recovery, especially after a serious collision like a FedEx truck accident.
Get in touch with us today and our team of legal experts will take the time to listen to your explanation, take notes, collect evidence, and build a case with the highest possible chances of winning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – FedEx Truck Accidents
What Makes Accidents With a FedEx Truck More Complex?
FedEx accidents tend to be more complex because their drivers are mostly sole traders selling their services, so the company can’t be held accountable for the damages.
Do FedEx Drivers get Fired for Accidents?
It’s very rare for drivers to be terminated for a single accident. However, many delivery companies have policies that set a limit for the number of collisions per year allowed before termination is an option.
Are FedEx Accidents more Frequent?
FedEx accidents are so much more frequent that the company has set aside more than $5 billion for self-insurance for the first time. In contrast, UPS delivers 60% more packages but only set aside $2.9 billion for self-insurance during the same time period.
Conclusions
Being on the wrong end of a FedEx accident can lead to a huge amount of suffering, so knowing what to do is critical. Even more important is having the right legal representation on your side.
The matter of who is liable for a FedEx accident can be surprisingly complex, especially if it was due to a mechanical failure or maintenance-related issue.
Suing FedEx after a truck accident is challenging, but Kevin Coluccio Law in Seattle, WA will build your case.
With nearly 35 years of experience and over $300 million in personal injury compensation, Kevin Coluccio is recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America in personal injury litigation. Contact us today for the expert representation you need to win maximum compensation for your trauma and loss.
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