Package delivery services such as FedEx make life easier by dropping goods off right at your front door. While these massive white trucks make their rounds around the neighborhood, there’s always a risk of colliding with one. FedEx drivers are human, and sometimes accidents happen. Knowing what to do in the event of a FedEx truck collision can help you take legal action to get the compensation you deserve.
If you want to learn more about the specifics surrounding a delivery truck accident, you’ll need the help of a team of FedEx accident lawyers in Los Angeles. Compass Law Group, LLP has the expertise to help you through every step of the legal process. We’ll go over what to do if you find yourself in a FedEx truck accident as well as the basics of filing a settlement after the accident.
What Are FedEx’s Responsibilities?
All commercial vehicles must follow specific legal rules and regulations to keep the driver and other vehicles safe on the road. If these regulations aren’t followed, and the FedEx truck driver gets into an accident, the company could be found partially liable for the accident. These regulations include:
- All drivers must follow the Hours of Service regulations, which limit the number of consecutive hours a driver can be delivering packages. FedEx drivers cannot drive a company truck for longer than 14 consecutive hours.
- All company trucks must go through extensive and routine inspections and maintenance to ensure everything is working properly.
- All truck drivers must go through a mandatory background check before being hired to operate a company vehicle.
- FedEx must properly train their drivers on proper truck operations and how to properly load and unload the truck.
- All trucks need to abide by the FMCSA’s legal load requirements to ensure cargo is being secured and transported safely.
What to Do If You Are in an Accident with a FedEx Vehicle
Vehicle accidents are always scary, no matter the severity, and it’s important to remain calm so you can react quickly and appropriately in the moment of the accident. Here are some simple steps you can follow to keep yourself and others safe while collecting what you need to build a successful case:
- Prioritize Your Safety: First and foremost, make sure you’re safe. If you’re in the middle of a busy road, pull over onto the shoulder or somewhere safe if you can. Check yourself for injuries that require immediate medical attention.
- Contact Emergency Services: Once you’re safe, dial 911. They will send the police and an ambulance to your location and get you the help you need.
- Seek Medical Attention: Once the ambulance and paramedics arrive, get yourself checked out. Even if you only have minor injuries, have a medical professional make sure there are no hidden injuries. This will also help you get a medical record of your injuries that you can use when filing your claim.
- Exchange Contact Information: Provide your full name, address, car registration, and insurance policy number to the other drivers involved as well as the police officer present.
- File a Police Report: While the police are on the scene, file a report with them. Don’t try to point fingers or assign blame on anyone, simply stick to the factual events of what happened and be as detailed as you can. Don’t admit fault either. Even apologizing to the other drivers can be misconstrued as an admission of fault, so be careful about what you say.
- Collect Evidence: Take photos and videos of the scene, your car, traffic lights, tire marks on the road, or anything else you think might be helpful. If anyone witnessed the accident, be sure to collect testimonies from them.
- Contact a FedEx Accident Attorney in LA: Once you have all the facts and paperwork collected, find a local personal injury law firm in Los Angeles, California. They can help you gather further evidence, build your case, and file your claim to receive financial compensation.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in FedEx Truck Accidents
Serious injuries from a truck accident can have long-term repercussions and medical expenses. From hospital stays to short and long-term disability, the consequences can be life-altering. Common injuries caused by a FedEx truck accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and Shoulder Injuries
- Spinal Injuries
- Arm and Wrist Injuries
- Hip, Leg, and Ankle Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Dislocated Joints
- Cuts and Bruising
- Internal Damage
Legal Options and Compensation Claims
It’s important to know your legal options after a FedEx truck accident. These accidents can leave you with piles of medical bills and long-term damages that can quickly drain your savings. You deserve justice after an accident, and Compass Law Group is here to help. We’ll walk you through your potential options as well as the process of filing a personal injury claim.
Understanding Settlement Offers
When insurance companies offer you a sum of money to cover expenses, that’s considered a settlement offer. At the end of the day, these companies are businesses that want to pay as little as possible and not lose any money. Our best piece of advice is to make sure the settlement you agree to covers your medical bills, long-term medical care, property damages, and lost wages.
Don’t accept the first offer they give you, as it’s almost always a lowball offer to try and settle the claim quickly. Know your worth, and work with a personal injury law firm to fight for the compensation you deserve.
FedEx’s Insurance Policies and the Claims Process
FedEx is legally required to have various, substantial insurance policies in the event of severe injuries after a truck accident. These policies include commercial auto liability insurance, motor carrier liability insurance, and cargo insurance. Whether or not these policies will apply to your accident depends on whether the driver was a FedEx employee, an independent contractor, or whether a third party caused the accident.
We understand that the legal claims process is complex and tricky. Get in touch with a member of our legal team to discuss the details of your claim.
How Much Money Can You Win When a FedEx Truck Hits Your Car?
The amount of money you can earn after an accident involving a FedEx truck varies depending on the circumstances. Compensation is meant to cover the damages resulting from the accident, and this amount depends on the severity of the accident. More serious injuries and property damage will cost more to reimburse, so your compensation amount will increase.
Why Work With Our Attorneys on Your FedEx Truck Injury Case?
Large companies like FedEx and their corporate insurers want to pay as little as possible when their trucks cause an accident. They have extensive resources and vicious lawyers who will do everything they can to get you to settle for less than you deserve. However, with an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, you can secure the full compensation you deserve.
If you’re looking for FedEx truck crash attorneys in Los Angeles, California, then you’ve come to the right place. Compass Law Group, LLP is ready to fight for your rights with the decency and respect you deserve after an accident. We know the legal system like the back of our hand, and you don’t pay us a dime unless we win your case. Get in touch with us at 310-289-7126 to schedule a free consultation and see what your legal options are for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact if a FedEx truck hits my car?
If you’re involved in a collision with a FedEx truck, the first thing to do is call the police to the scene so they can file a police report. You can also contact FedEx’s customer service line to file a complaint. From there, get in touch with a team of truck accident lawyers in California such as Compass Law Group, LLP. We’ll help you throughout the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How much money do you get if a FedEx truck hits you?
The amount of compensation you earn after a FedEx truck accident depends on the extent of the damage and your injuries as well as who is at fault. Financial compensation is meant to cover the damages, both economic and non-economic, after a car accident, so the exact amount will depend on the severity of the collision.
What happens if a truck driver hits your car?
If a commercial truck hits your car, the immediate steps are similar to any other accident: pull over, exchange information, file a police report, and get medical attention. Next, you must file a claim. Based on the circumstances surrounding the accident, either the driver or the company they work for could be found liable and therefore responsible for providing the compensation.
How do I file an auto claim with FedEx?
Work with a personal injury law firm such as Compass Law Group, LLP to build your case. Your attorney will then file the claim against the liable party, whether that be the driver or FedEx. Our team knows the ins and outs of the system so you walk away with the maximum compensation available.
