FedEx is one of the largest delivery companies in the world, with more than 100,000 trucks and vans in its fleet. It is almost impossible to travel around Boston without spotting one of FedEx’s tall, white delivery trucks with the big blue and orange letters emblazoned on the side.
As FedEx delivery drivers zoom from one drop-off destination to another, they can cause accidents, leaving innocent motorists and pedestrians with devastating and even fatal injuries.
Recently, a Massachusetts man was killed in a head-on collision with a FedEx truck on Route 32 in Mansfield. A few months before, a FedEx tractor-trailer crash backed up morning rush-hour traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike and took out 50 yards of guardrail.
The personal injury attorneys at Boston’s Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have a winning track record for recovering money for clients injured in delivery truck accidents. We have the expertise and resources to take on powerful companies like FedEx and win against them.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a FedEx delivery truck accident, we can help. Our law firm provides free legal consultations and takes cases on a contingency basis. There are no fees until we recover money for you.
What Happens When You Are in a FedEx Delivery Truck Accident?With many routine fender benders, damages are low, but the stakes can be high with FedEx delivery truck accidents. Claims against this delivery giant can result in significant settlements or verdicts. That is because large, heavy delivery trucks can cause more serious injury and damage than cars and other smaller vehicles. FedEx is an enormous company with annual revenue of about $84 billion and huge liability insurance limits. According to FedEx, its vehicles typically have a combined single liability limit of $5 million.
You might assume that FedEx is quick to pay accident victims reasonable settlements with all that coverage. However, our attorneys know better. If you have been involved in a FedEx delivery truck accident, there is a good chance that FedEx and its insurance carrier will deny liability or try to pay less than you are owed for your injuries.
Our clients are always shocked when they learn that a large, wealthy company like FedEx is denying liability for their accident. Like many other large delivery companies, FedEx often denies liability for crashes and collisions as a strategy to avoid paying out large sums of money on accident claims. As a result, the accident victim has the burden of proving FedEx is at fault.
In that situation, your best strategy is to consult with a personal injury attorney. An attorney will explain your legal rights and tell you whether you have a viable claim against FedEx.
In addition, an attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to collect evidence to prove that FedEx is at fault for your accident. This evidence can include police reports, medical records, witness statements, and information from the delivery truck’s onboard technology, which records various driving data. An attorney will also perform a background check of the FedEx driver and obtain the delivery truck’s inspection and maintenance records.
In some cases, FedEx uses drivers who are employed by independent contractors to deliver its packages. These FedEx drivers work for the contractors and not FedEx. FedEx may try to shift liability for your accident to the driver or the contractor. Whether FedEx drivers legally drive for FedEx has been the subject of several lawsuits. A skilled delivery truck accident attorney will ensure that all parties responsible for your injuries pay their fair share of damages.
FedEx and its insurers know that most people lack the knowledge and patience to navigate the legal system and prove an accident claim. Instead, most accident victims will accept FedEx’s initial settlement offer, which is almost always significantly less than the person is owed.
Causes of FedEx Delivery Truck AccidentsTraffic accidents are a common occurrence in and around Boston. In 2019, on average, there were 12 crashes on Boston area roads every day. A number of those crashes involved delivery trucks.
The fact that FedEx delivery drivers are working under a strict schedule and driving a large vehicle loaded with packages combines to create a situation that makes accidents a genuine possibility.
While several factors can cause traffic accidents, these are the main causes of FedEx delivery truck accidents that the attorneys in our Boston law office tend to see:
Speeding: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities involve speeding. FedEx delivery drivers may drive over the speed limit to deliver important packages on time and meet delivery quotas. When drivers exceed posted speed limits, they have less time to apply the brakes and react to roadway conditions and other vehicles. Speeding is especially dangerous when roads are wet, covered in snow or ice, or undergoing repairs. In addition, speeding drivers may not spot pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other vulnerable road users until it is too late.
Distracted driving: Drivers focused on GPS devices, cellphones, or other technology are at risk of causing accidents. FedEx drivers rely on technology to travel their daily delivery routes and locate their drop-off and pick-up spots.
Fatigued driving: Drowsy driving is responsible for nearly 100,000 motor vehicle crashes a year. Drivers who spend too much time on the road or are not given adequate breaks may engage in drowsy driving. Tired drivers are less able to pay attention to the road and make good driving decisions. In addition, their reaction times tend to be slower when it comes to braking and steering. A fatigued driver may cross the center line and veer into oncoming traffic.
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol: Much like fatigued drivers, drunk and drugged drivers are more likely to make poor driving decisions and react slowly when behind the wheel.
Inadequately trained drivers: Drivers who lack training in the operation of their delivery vehicles and navigation of routes are more likely to be involved in accidents. FedEx delivery truck drivers should have a valid commercial driver’s license and should not be allowed to drive when suspended. FedEx can be held liable if it knew or should have known of a driver’s likelihood to cause harm.
Poor truck maintenance: Trucks that are not inspected or maintained are more likely to break down and cause accidents. Tires, brakes, and other parts should be safe for driving. Lights and safety devices such as backup alarms should be functional.
Cargo issues: It is not unusual for a single FedEx driver to deliver more than 100 packages in one day. That means that each FedEx delivery truck is filled with boxes, envelopes, and mailers of different sizes and weights. When these parcels are unsecured, they can shift during travel and distract the driver. In addition, they can spill out the back of the truck. Packages littering a street or highway are dangerous to oncoming traffic, and oversized cargo poses a danger when the delivery vehicle is not rated to carry such a heavy road.
Defective vehicles: FedEx purchases its delivery trucks and vans from auto manufacturers. Delivery trucks that are defective or have defective parts such as axles, brakes, or tires can malfunction and cause catastrophic accidents. A lawyer can help you bring a product liability claim against a vehicle or vehicle part manufacturer.
In addition to FedEx, other parties may be liable for your FedEx delivery truck accident. This would include other motorists and even government entities if the accident involved a dangerous roadway. A lawyer will look at the events surrounding your delivery truck accident and work to make sure that all negligent parties are held responsible.
FedEx Delivery Truck Accident InjuriesInjuries in these cases are often serious, leaving the accident victim with permanent injuries, pain and suffering, and a mountain of medical bills. While a car weighs around 3,500 pounds, a loaded FedEx delivery truck can weigh well over 20,000 pounds.
FedEx delivery truck injuries can include:
If a loved one has died due to a FedEx delivery truck accident, a personal injury attorney can help you with a wrongful death suit against FedEx and any other responsible parties.
To learn more about how our car accident attorneys can help you with a FedEx delivery truck accident, contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today at (617) 777-7777 or use our online form.