FedEx is a well-known delivery company that provides services throughout the continental United States and beyond. Despite its best efforts to avoid accidents, FedEx has been the culprit behind countless delivery truck accidents that have left its victims injured or worse. Truck accidents can be highly dangerous and result in serious harm and even death.
A History On FedEx And Accident Reporting
Federal Express is a large corporation that offers multinational delivery services. They have several different divisions, including FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Supply Chain, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Office. The company originated in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1971 and was created by Frederick Smith, a graduate of Yale University. The company grew quickly and has become one of the top contractors for the United States government in addition to being one of the most prominent delivery services for individuals and companies throughout the country. The primary competitor of FedEx is the United Parcel Service or UPS. Amazon has recently become a competitor of FedEx as well.
However, like many other delivery services, FedEx depends on its employees for its successful ability to provide delivery services. And, because these employees are humans, mistakes are made. Unfortunately, some of these mistakes relate to truck crashes that injure or even kill others.
In the last 24 months, FedEx drivers have received 3,559 unsafe driving violations and 2,337 vehicle crashes. Seventy-three of these crashes resulted in a fatality, while 779 of these accidents resulted in injury. The remaining 1,525 crash incidents required towaway services. These accidents have occurred in various states throughout the U.S., including in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, New York, and Texas. Most of these accidents were caused by or involved a FedEx truck or trailer that included an enclosed box and weighed more than 26,000 pounds.
With that being said, it’s important to note that FedEx does take several safety precaution measures to prevent accidents and other harmful incidents whenever possible. In the last 24 months, the company has performed nearly 15,000 driver inspections, and no hours-of-service compliance or critical violations were found.
Do FedEx Truck Drivers Receive Training?
FedEx employs several different types of drivers, including driver apprentices, city drivers, and road drivers. Many employees who are drivers begin as driver apprentices and receive training on how to operate a tractor-trailer combination before moving on to more experienced driver positions.
All states require drivers of tractor-trailer combinations and large trucks to complete a multiple choice exam that tests them on their knowledge about safe driving regulations, fire fighting, and trucking. The questions on the exam are derived from information available in the 2019 Facts for Drivers book. Examples of topics covered in the book and on the exam include steering tire, scale stop, grease pit, right turn-left turn, parallel parking, offset alley, and pull thru-back thru.
Other requirements for FedEx drivers include:
- Professional driving experience within the last three years
- A valid driver’s license
- A comprehensive background check
- Must be 21 years or older
- Pass a drug test administered by FedEx
- Pass a physical administered through the Department of Transportation (DOT)
While FedEx certainly has stringent requirements for its drivers, the training period typically lasts only five to 10 days. This short amount of time is not always enough for drivers to become experts in their positions, and may contribute to the number of accidents that FedEx drivers are responsible for.
Common Causes of FedEx Truck Collisions
There are several different causes of FedEx truck collisions. A few of the most common include:
- Improper maintenance of the FedEx truck
- The truck driver failed to pass or yield in a safe way
- Cargo that is not attached properly and causes instability when driving, especially at higher speeds
- The truck driver failed to adhere to the rules of the road
- A truck driver that is sleep deprived or has been on the road for longer than what is allowed by Federal Regulations
- The truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
These reasons are many of the same that result in on-the-road collisions in general; however, because of the size of FedEx delivery vehicles, accidents caused by them can have a serious and even fatal impact.
Other potential contributing factors that may result in a FedEx truck driver causing an accident include over-exhaustion and the payment schemes to which FedEx adheres when paying its drivers. These pay schemes often depend on the total mileage a truck driver drives, which encourages drivers to drive more than what they may be safely able to. This could result in improper route planning, avoiding federally mandated rest stops, skipping over safety inspections, and insufficient vehicle loading.
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Implications Of A FedEx Truck Accident
There are several potentially dangerous results that can come from a FedEx truck accident. The size of the truck and the speed at which it was going when the collision occurred will largely impact the significance of the damages and injuries incurred. Common injuries sustained in a Fed Ex truck collision include:
- Broken bones
- Fractured bones
- Head injuries, including brain trauma and damage
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Lacerations, burns, and bruises
- Internal bleeding as a result of blunt-force trauma
- Mental anguish, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety
- Death
Some people who are in collisions involving a FedEx truck do not experience pain or injuries until after the accident has occurred. This is often due to the fact that a car accident can result in the release of endorphins and adrenaline, both of which can increase energy and reduce feelings of pain. However, when these wear off, you can be left with pain and injuries you weren’t aware of immediately following the collision.
The most common type of injury that is not experienced until after a collision is damage done to the soft tissue of the body. The most common type of soft-tissue injury is whiplash, which is when an injury occurs due to the head and neck being forcefully moved forward and back during the accident. These types of injuries can take several days or even weeks to make themselves known, which can make it challenging to get a proper diagnosis and document the injury for insurance purposes.
The top five causes of FedEx accidents resulting in injuries to other drivers:
- Distracted Driving: A significant reason for FedEx accidents can be driver distraction, including the use of mobile devices, looking at GPS, or eating while driving. For example, a Fed Ex driver might take their eyes off the road to check their delivery route on their handheld device, leading to a collision.
- Fatigue: Overwork and tight delivery schedules can lead to driver fatigue, causing slower reaction times and impaired judgment. For instance, a FedEx driver who’s been on the road for extended hours might fall asleep at the wheel, causing an accident.
- Speeding: To meet strict delivery deadlines, FedEx drivers might exceed the speed limit, making it harder to control the vehicle and stop in time to prevent a collision. An example could be a driver speeding to make a delivery on time, losing control, and hitting another vehicle.
- Improper Loading: Improperly secured cargo can shift while the vehicle is in motion, causing the driver to lose control. A FedEx truck could tip over if a heavy load shifts during a turn, causing a serious accident.
- Lack of Maintenance: If a vehicle isn’t properly maintained, critical components like brakes or tires might fail, leading to accidents. For example, a FedEx truck’s brakes might fail due to a lack of maintenance, resulting in the driver being unable to stop and crashing into another vehicle.
What To Do If You’ve Been In An Accident Caused By A FedEx Truck
If you’ve been in an auto accident caused by a FedEx truck driver, there are several steps you should take immediately following the collision. These steps will help you when seeking compensation from the company and include:
Take Pictures
If you’re able, take pictures of the injuries you and/or your passengers sustained, the vehicles involved in the accident, and the scene of the accident. Photos are often needed when filing a claim with FedEx and to ensure sufficient compensation is provided for the injuries and damage sustained.
Talk To Witnesses
Tracking down witnesses can be near impossible following a car collision, so it’s important to speak with them while they are still on the scene of the accident if possible. Even simply getting their contact information and reaching out at a later date is sufficient and will support your case when seeking compensation.
Get Medical Help
Even if you don’t believe you’re injured, you should still seek medical help immediately following the auto accident. Seeking medical attention will provide documentation of your injuries and ensure you are able to get the compensation you deserve for any medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering that resulted from the accident.
Document Everything
It’s important to keep all documentation related to the auto accident. This includes medical bills and expenses, fees related to getting your vehicle repaired or replaced, and other expenses that are a direct result of the collision.
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Contact The Florin|Roebig Personal Injury Lawyers
It only takes a second for an accident with a commercial vehicle to occur. Unfortunately, the implications of that collision can last a lifetime. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident caused by a FedEx truck driver, call Florin|Roebig personal injury lawyers today to get the help and support you need to ensure you get sufficient compensation. Reach out today for a free consultation of your accident case by calling us today.
