Online shopping and home deliveries have increased the number of delivery trucks on the road on any given day. FedEx, one of several delivery services in the United States, is reporting significant profits during this time, but they are also struggling to keep up with delivery times as promised. The result, unfortunately, is that drivers may be pressured to drive faster and decrease delivery times in any way they can.
Careless or rushed driving will often lead to accidents. Accidents also give rise to increased car accident legal cases, but those are a bit more complicated when they involve a delivery company like FedEx. So, what should you do if a FexEx truck hits your car?
FEDEX TRUCK CRASH STATISTICS
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that there were 42,218 FedEx drivers on the road as of May 20, 2021. Those drivers use 35,535 vehicles and traveled over one billion miles in 2020.
In the last 24 months, FedEx has reported 418 crashes. Of those, 153 caused injuries, and eight involved fatalities. The Safety Measurement System, part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, also reports that in the last 24 months, FedEx drivers had 436 maintenance violations and 33 driver fitness violations. They have also had 894 violations of local laws, such as lane restriction violations and using a mobile device while operating their FedEx truck.
WHAT TO DO IF A FEDEX TRUCK HITS MY CAR
If a FedEx truck hits your car, it can cause serious damage, especially if you are in a smaller vehicle. You might have property damage, hospital bills, lost wages, and a lot more. In some serious accidents, the crash might affect you for the rest of your life.
Thankfully, you can take action if you have been in a collision with a FedEx truck. If you are hit by a FedEx truck, taking the following action is generally a good idea.
1. Call 911
If you have been involved in a severe accident, it is very important to get medical attention right away. The fastest way to do that is to call 911 and request an emergency response. Your health and the health of anyone else involved in the accident should be first on your mind after an accident. Do not wait to make this call if you think anyone has suffered injuries.
You also should not refuse medical care. It is always a good idea to get a complete physical after a car accident, even if you think you feel fine. Internal bleeding and head injuries are especially difficult to spot after a collision. Play it safe and get medical attention.
2. Request police response
Even if you decide not to call 911 to get immediate medical attention, you should, at a minimum, call the police to come out to the scene of the accident. The police will review the scene, interview both drivers, and create a report about the incident.
This report is an invaluable record because it provides an unbiased third-party review of what happened. It also gathers vital information, such as contact information and insurance data. You will rely heavily on the police report as you work through any lawsuit against FedEx for the accident.
3. Get license and insurance information from the FedEx driver
It is a good idea to get license and insurance data from the other driver. Although the police will get this information as well, having this data right away will allow your attorney to take action on your behalf faster.
4. Take photos of the scene if you are able
In serious accidents, do not worry about taking photos or getting other information. Instead, focus on getting the medical attention you need. In many cases, the police will take photos of the crash in severe collisions. Your health and the health of others involved in the accident should be your first priority.
However, if you can take photos or videos of the scene, that can be helpful for your legal case. Even getting property damage photos of your car a few hours after the accident can be beneficial to show a jury the severity of the collision.
It might be a good idea to have photos of the following:
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Property damage to the FedEx truck
- Any immediate injuries or other damage
- Skid marks on the road
- Other roadside damage (damaged signs, marks on the curb, etc.)
- Photos of the street signs where the accident occurred
- Photos of people involved in the accident and their injuries.
As a rule, it is better to err on the side of having too many pictures in this type of situation.
5. Get contact information from witnesses
The police will talk with witnesses to get their contact information and review with them what they saw or heard. However, in many cases, witnesses will leave the scene before they talk to the police, sometimes simply because they have somewhere else to be or because they do not want to be involved.
It is a good idea to talk with witnesses if they are nearby. Getting their contact information and reviewing what they saw can be very helpful. Your attorney will also be able to talk with them as part of your legal case to get more detailed statements as well.
6. Do necessary medical and legal follow-up
Getting medical care after an accident is extremely important. It is not only a good idea for your general health and well-being, but it is also a good way to show FedEx that you are making every effort to get back on your feet after a crash. Medical records provide a good chronology of your damages and your road to improvement. As a result, following doctors’ orders after an accident is critical.
Getting medical care after an accident is extremely important. It is not only a good idea for your general health and well-being, but it is also a good way to show FedEx that you are making every effort to get back on your feet after a crash. Medical records provide a good chronology of your damages and your road to improvement. As a result, following doctors’ orders after an accident is critical.
FedEx is a huge company that has experienced legal counsel. By engaging a car accident attorney soon after your crash, you can allow your lawyer to work with FedEx while you focus on healing and getting healthy. Your attorney will help you value your case and protect your rights, so FedEx does not pressure you into settling your claim for far less than what it is worth.
COMMON INJURIES FOLLOWING TRUCK ACCIDENTS
FedEx trucks are larger than most passenger vehicles. That means that they often do more damage and cause more injuries than cars when they are involved in a crash.
Some of the most common injuries that result from a truck accident are:
- Broken bones, particularly arms, legs, and ribs
- Internal injuries
- Whiplash
- Head injuries, including concussions and brain bleeds
- Back injuries, such as fractured vertebrae or displaced discs
- Psychological injuries (PTSD, driving-related phobias, and depression).
Severe accidents can result in uncontrolled bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and a lot more. Without immediate proper medical attention, truck accidents can be fatal, especially those that take place at high speeds.
MONEY DAMAGES AVAILABLE AFTER BEING HIT BY A FEDEX TRUCK
The money that you can get after an accident involving a FedEx truck should be enough to cover all of your losses caused by this type of accident. Medical bills are the most common losses or damage after any car accident. However, you might not realize just how much this type of accident can affect your life in the future.
Examples of potential money damages available in your case might include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost future wages (loss of earning capacity).
Every case is different, so your losses may include more categories of damages as well.
WHAT MAKES FEDEX TRUCK CRASHES UNIQUE
FedEx has drivers who are employees and independent contractors. When a driver is an employee for FedEx, FedEx will generally step in to defend their driver and address any legal claim that you assert. These cases can be challenging, because FedEx is so experienced with having to deal with accidents involving their drivers.
However, when an independent contractor driver is involved, the case can be even more complicated. FedEx may be involved, but the independent contractor driver may also have insurance coverage that would apply to the situation. In those cases, naming the proper party is very important—and these cases can involve several parties.
When you combine these additional complications with the fact that FedEx truck accidents are often severe, it is easy to see why facing FedEx on your own is not a good idea. Instead, you need a compassionate and experienced attorney who knows how to handle the unique aspects of these types of claims.
GETTING LEGAL HELP AFTER A FEDEX TRUCK ACCIDENT
Having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve after this type of accident. Get the experience of our team on your side after a FedEx truck accident. Call our team of truck accident lawyers at Hanna Allen, PLLC to set up an appointment or to get more information: 432-220-2649.