FedEx Delivery Truck Accident Attorneys Los Angeles

As one of the largest delivery services companies in the U.S., FedEx delivers packages by truck and air around the country and across the globe. Millions of Americans rely on the company to ship and receive packages. The company employs more than 600,000 people and operates a large fleet of vehicles. With the large number of vehicles the company operates, accidents can be expected to occasionally occur.

While the company has a fairly good safety record as compared to its size, collisions involving its vehicles can be catastrophic. The company also aggressively litigates against injury accident claims and works with defense lawyers who work to minimize the company’s liability and reduce the amounts the company might be forced to pay to accident victims.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a FedEx driver in Los Angeles, California, you should consult the attorneys at the law firm of Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC. Filing a claim against a large corporate entity can involve complex processes, and working with an experienced lawyer might help to increase your chances of prevailing on your claim so that you can receive the compensation to which you should be entitled. Here is some information about collisions involving Federal Express drivers and vehicles.

Federal Express Safety Data

Federal Express is a multinational delivery corporation with multiple divisions. It was started in 1971 in Little Rock, Arkansas and has grown to become the second-largest delivery company in the U.S. The company’s primary competitor is the United Parcel Service (UPS).

FedEx relies on its drivers to deliver packages quickly across the country. Unfortunately, the drivers sometimes make mistakes that result in injury or fatality collisions. In the 24 months from Jan. 30, 2020, and Jan. 30, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that Federal Express drivers were involved in a total of 2,681 collisions in the U.S., including 76 fatal crashes, 905 injury collisions, and 1,700 tow-away wrecks. During those two years, 10,211 vehicle inspections resulted in 15.7% of the inspected vehicles being placed out of service. The FMCSA also reports that 15,762 driver inspections resulted in 2.1% of the inspected drivers being placed out of service.

While the company’s out-of-service rates are lower than the national average, the fact that the company’s drivers have been involved in both injury and fatality crashes indicates room for improvement.

How Are Drivers Trained?

Federal Express employs a variety of different types of drivers. Most drivers start out as apprentices and are taught how to drive tractor-trailers before they can move into over-the-road or city driver positions. Those who are hired to drive a delivery van do not need to obtain commercial driver’s licenses, but they must have valid driver’s licenses and meet the company’s other requirements.

Any driver who operates a tractor-trailer must have a commercial driver’s license. Obtaining a CDL requires drivers to pass an exam that covers multiple topics specific to driving large trucks. Drivers for the company must also be at least age 21, pass pre-employment drug tests, pass Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals, and pass comprehensive background checks. The company’s training lasts about 10 days, and while the training is stringent, it might not be enough for some drivers to ensure they are equipped to handle driving large commercial vehicles.

Causes of Federal Express Collisions in Los Angeles, California

Many factors can contribute to a collision involving one of the company’s vehicles. Some of the most common factors that can cause crashes include the following:

• Improper maintenance
• Driver failing to safely pass or yield
• Improperly loaded cargo that shifts during driving
• Speeding and other traffic violations
• Driver who is fatigued
• Unfamiliarity with the roads
• Driver who is distracted
• Driver who is impaired by alcohol or drugs

Drivers might be under pressure to deliver loads on schedule, which might lead to speeding. Drivers who are paid by the mile might drive longer than is safe, and some drivers might avoid taking mandated rest stops and cut corners to drive more miles and increase their pay. Some drivers get bored while driving and talk on their phones, send and receive text messages, and engage in other similarly distracting activities while they drive. Any of these types of behaviors can quickly result in dangerous collisions.

Why Crashes Involving FedEx Vehicles Are Dangerous

Crashes involving passenger vehicles often do not result in substantial liability. Many motor vehicle accidents involving two cars end up causing property damage only. However, some crashes do result in injuries and fatalities. However, accidents involving Federal Express vehicles frequently involve significant losses, serious injuries, and potential fatalities. This is because of how much heavier and larger the trucks are versus the passenger vehicles around them.

Stakes Involved in Claims

Injury or wrongful death claims against the company frequently involve substantial losses and significant liability issues. These accidents can result in large verdicts or settlements. The company carries liability insurance with high limits, and it aggressively fights against claims to try to avoid paying claims or at least minimize how much it will be forced to pay to protect its bottom line.

Because of how the company typically defends against claims, your lawyer will need to thoroughly investigate what happened to find all relevant evidence to support your claim of liability. Some of the types of evidence that might be needed will come from the company itself, including such things as hours of service, maintenance records, inspection records, information from the vehicle’s onboard systems, and more. Our FedEx collision attorneys are experienced with handling these types of cases and understand how to uncover evidence to prove our clients’ cases.

Following a collision with a FedEx truck when the driver was clearly at fault, you might be shocked when the company doesn’t agree to accept liability and pay your claim. The company typically will not readily admit that its drivers are at fault. Instead, it will normally require victims to prove their claims and clearly show that the company and its drivers were at fault before it will agree to settle. The company might also initially extend an offer that is unreasonably low in the hope that the victim will accept it instead of trying to pursue a fair settlement offer.

FedEx and its insurance company are much likelier to take your claim seriously if you are represented by an experienced commercial truck collision attorney. When you have an experienced lawyer helping with your claim, you can concentrate on your recovery while your attorney handles all facets of your claim, including the investigation, negotiation, preservation of evidence, and more. Your attorney will also ensure that your claim is filed within the statute of limitations and properly value your claim so that you can determine whether a settlement offer is reasonable or not. When you try to negotiate with a large corporation like Federal Express on your own, you will be facing a team of defense lawyers, insurance adjusters, and investigators, placing you in an unequal bargaining position.

Get Help From the Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC

If you have been injured in a collision with one of the company’s drivers and believe that the driver was at fault, you should speak to the Los Angeles, California attorneys at the Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC. We have years of experience and are prepared to evaluate your case. Call us today at 866-966-5240 for a free consultation.