Austin FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer
With a surge in online shopping and ordering in the past few years, we see more and more delivery trucks out on the roads, including FedEx trucks. These might be smaller box trucks or large semi-trucks, but they are all huge vehicles that can cause serious damage in the event of a car accident with a FedEx truck.
FedEx truck accidents might happen on highways or in residential areas, but no matter where they occur, they can result in serious injuries to others. Because FedEx is a corporation, the resulting FedEx accident claims can be complicated and intimidating for injured victims.
Always seek help from a truck accident law firm that takes on FedEx vehicle accident claims. The team at TK Injury Lawyers takes on tough cases involving complex truck crashes and corporate insurers. We know how to fight for the rights of injury victims, so please reach out for a free case evaluation today.
Can FedEx Be Liable for a Truck Accident?
It may be possible that FedEx itself is liable for a truck accident, but a person should know that FedEx is a huge company that invests a lot of money in its legal representation. This means that FedEx has a legal team working constantly to minimize its liability in these cases and avoid paying out large sums of money.
Even in cases of driver negligence, FedEx could be liable if the driver was an actual employee under the theory of vicarious liability. When an accident stems from something being wrong with the actual FedEx truck, it is much more likely that FedEx itself may be liable.
Common Causes of FedEx Truck Accidents
All commercial truck drivers have the duty to abide by all laws and regulations, as well as drive their trucks safely and as a reasonable person would under the same circumstances. Unfortunately, truck driver negligence is a leading cause of FedEx crashes and injuries.
Some examples of FedEx driver negligence include:
- Speeding on highways, residential streets, or in school zones
- Changing lanes or pulling into traffic without checking blind spots
- Reversing without fully checking behind the truck
- Driving while distracted
- Aggressive driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Fatigued driving
Drivers have tight delivery schedules, and they often cut safety corners to stay on track. This can lead to dangerous driving and putting the lives of others in danger.
Drivers are not the only ones who can cause FedEx truck accidents, however. Others might include:
- FedEx for negligent hiring or retention of drivers, failing to maintain trucks, and other negligent conduct
- Cargo loaders who improperly load or secure cargo, possibly leading to trailer imbalance or a cargo spill
- Maintenance crews who perform improper inspections or repairs, leading to truck malfunctions
Like other trucking accidents, FedEx crashes can have many causes and liable parties. These accidents can be much more complex than other car crash cases, so you need a skilled attorney to handle your case.
Types of FedEx Accidents
FedEx trucks are capable of being involved in many different types of accidents. Some of the most common collisions are rear-end accidents, in which FedEx trucks strike the rear ends of other vehicles, or head-on collisions, in which FedEx trucks collide head-to-head with other vehicles.
Another common kind of FedEx truck accident can be the wide turn accident, in which a large truck needs more room to perform a turn and hits another car. Jackknife accidents can be another common kind of FedEx truck accident because some FedEx vehicles may have cabs and trailers that fold in on one another and cause devastating wrecks.
Rollover accidents are another common kind of truck accident, and FedEx trucks may roll over when they are not properly loaded. Underride and override accidents can also be rather frequent, with the former involving people sliding under FedEx trucks and the latter being FedEx trucks running over other people.
Large trucks such as FedEx vehicles also have sizable blind spots, so some accidents could be the result of a driver not checking their blind spots. Tire blowouts are also incredibly common, and FedEx could be liable for not properly maintaining a vehicle when a crash is the result of a blown tire.
What Else is Different About a Claim Against FedEx?
Accident claims involving FedEx trucks can implicate the FedEx corporation even when a driver was at fault. FedEx employs its drivers, and employers can be held vicariously liable for harm caused by employees. This means that even if the company did nothing wrong, it can share liability when a driver is negligent and causes injuries.
When you believe you only have a claim against a FedEx driver, you likely have a claim against the FedEx corporation, as well. This is critical, as the corporation has deep pockets and significant insurance coverage. If you suffered serious injuries, you will have a better chance of recovering full compensation through a claim against FedEx than against an individual driver.
However, going up against large corporations and their insurers and legal teams is no easy feat. It is intimidating for even the most savvy accident victims. You need a truck accident lawyer handling your case with the experience and resources to take on FedEx and its gatekeepers. The company will try to avoid liability in many cases, so you need someone advocating for your rights for full compensation.
Do FedEx Drivers Have a Bad Accident Record?
FedEx drivers can get into accidents just like any other driver. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), FedEx trucks were involved in nearly 400 crashes in a 24 month period. In many instances, the victims of these crashes suffered serious injuries that required medical attention and resulted in significant economic and non-economic losses.
When is the FedEx Truck Driver Was At-Fault?
The truck driver is often who the blame falls on, and FedEx will be especially swift to implicate their own driver when the driver happens to be an independent contractor. There are various ways in which drivers could end up being found negligent in causing motor vehicle accidents.
A FedEx driver may have been violating a local traffic law if they were speeding at the time of a collision or they failed to obey a traffic light or sign. It could also be possible that a driver committed a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Distracted driving can be another common cause of FedEx truck accidents when drivers are using cell phones or engaging in other activities. Some FedEx drivers may have been dealing with driver fatigue because they were overworked.
What to Do If You Are in an Accident With a FedEx Vehicle
In the unfortunate event that you are hurt in a crash involving a FedEx vehicle, there are certain steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights.
1. Seek Medical Attention
You should always seek medical attention after you are involved in any type of motor vehicle accident. You should see a physician for a complete medical evaluation in the days after your wreck, even if you had gone to the hospital immediately after the accident and the treating physician discharged you. When you see a doctor, it will ensure that you obtain an accurate diagnosis and that you have a record of your injuries.
2. Do Not Accept a Settlement Offer
An insurance company may approach you with a settlement offer shortly after you wreck. Do not accept it before speaking to a lawyer first. These initial offers are almost always far below the actual value of victims’ cases, and insurance companies make them in hopes that victims will simply accept them and move on with their lives.
3. Do Not Provide the Insurance Company with a Recorded Statement
Insurance companies often request that victims provide a recorded statement after a wreck caused by their insured. They do so in hopes that they can get the victim to say something they can use to lower their settlement offer or deny their claim entirely. If the insurance company asks you for a recorded statement, politely decline and let them know you are seeking legal representation.
4. Call a Lawyer as Soon as You Can
The single most important thing you can do after an accident is to retain an attorney. Once you have a lawyer, the other side cannot speak with you directly. In addition, a lawyer can evaluate your losses and determine what a fair settlement offer would be.
FedEx Driver Hit and Runs
What happens if a FedEx truck crashes into your vehicle and the driver flees the scene? While you might never expect this to happen, any driver can hit and run, and they might do so for various reasons.
When you are in a hit-and-run accident with a FedEx truck, you should immediately call the police. Officers might be able to determine what truck and driver was in the neighborhood or on that particular road when the crash happened. You should also contact a truck accident lawyer immediately. Our legal team can consult with FedEx about driver assignments and get to the bottom of which truck and driver was in your accident.
Never assume that you lose your right to compensation just because a FedEx driver fled the scene. Instead, take swift action to protect your legal rights.
Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer to Sue FedEx?
You technically do not need to hire an attorney for your FedEx truck accident case, but you are going to be best served by retaining legal counsel. You need to understand that insurance companies feast on people who try to represent themselves because the average person is not familiar with the claims process and can be easily tricked into making damaging statements that hurt their case.
You will want to get a lawyer involved in your case as soon as possible to deal with insurance companies because they will know how to quickly shift to settlement discussions. An attorney will have a much better understanding of the timing of your case and when it will be necessary to file a lawsuit.
Benefits of a FedEx truck accident attorney
Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer can make a world of difference for most injury victims because the attorney is going to be able to help with much more than just recovering compensation. For example, many people who are injured in FedEx truck accidents will need extensive medical attention that can be incredibly difficult to obtain.
An attorney can work with a hospital to arrange a lien under which you pay all of your bills out of your settlement or jury award, so you do not have to worry about constant medical bills. The bottom line is that a lawyer will be the best bet for helping determine liability in connection with an accident, securing all of the relevant evidence, and then determining the best strategy to pursue compensation.
The Process Of Filing A Lawsuit Against FedEx
FedEx vehicle accident claims can be complicated, as mentioned above. Many parties can be involved, and you might need to seek a FedEx car accident settlement from various insurance companies. Instead of trying to navigate this process alone, let our legal team handle every step. We know the process of filing a FedEx claim, and we can take over everything for you.
Average Settlement for a Truck Accident Case Against FedEx
Like any type of accident case, Fedex accident claims can vary widely in value. There is no “average,” since the value of your settlement will depend on the nature of your injuries and losses. The more serious your injuries, the more you can receive. Discuss your claim’s value with a truck accident lawyer.
Why FedEx Accident Cases Have a Higher Settlement Value?
FedEx cases might have higher settlements for different reasons, including:
- Injuries can be more severe from truck accidents
- Corporate insurance provides higher policy limits to cover more losses
- Juries like to hold trucking companies fully liable for dangerous drivers
Contact a FedEx Accident Lawyer in Austin Right Away
If you were in a FedEx accident, you should contact our team at TK Injury Lawyers immediately. We know how to handle complex truck accident claims involving large corporations, and we can assess your rights. Contact us for your free case evaluation today.