Why Choose Simmons and Fletcher For Your FedEx Truck Accident Case?
At Simmons & Fletcher, we pride ourselves on providing knowledgeable and compassionate legal support for each and every one of our clients. Amongst our team of experienced Houston FedEx truck accident attorneys, we have lawyers who have been rated by Super Lawyers, board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and named among the top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers.
Closer to home, we’ve been honored to see these accolades corroborated in the words and experiences of our clients. We have a long track record of successful 5-star Google reviews, all of which re-affirm what we know: the personal injury team at Simmons & Fletcher is dedicated to helping injured parties throughout their legal process: from filing the initial claim and investigating the case to negotiating with insurance companies and working toward a fair settlement.
Call Simmons & Fletcher at (713) 932-0777 to speak with an experienced FedEx accident lawyer. You’ll meet with a Texas FedEx accident attorney to discuss your case at no cost to you—due to our contingency fee policy, you don’t owe us any out-of-pocket fees unless we win your case.
What do you need to know about accidents involving FedEx trucks?
Unfortunately, FedEx truck accidents happen a lot more often than you’d expect—especially in large urban areas like Houston, Texas. According to a 2022 report by the Texas Department of Transportation, Harris County saw more than 6,000 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in that year alone. Commercial trucks and delivery trucks, including FedEx vehicles, have large blind spots due to their hefty size, making it difficult for drivers to see other motorists and pedestrians around them. These blind spots are exacerbated by the fact that Houston is a densely-populated city, which can increase the level of accident risk for any motor vehicle—but especially large FedEx trucks.
FedEx drivers also have the additional pressure of being on the job as they navigate the roads. These truck operators may be rushing to complete their work on a deadline or be motivated by the desire to end their shift. As an unfortunate result, FedEx delivery vehicles may cause more accidents than other drivers.
Common Causes of FedEx Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents happen for many of the same reasons that any truck or motor vehicle accident occurs. From FedEx driver negligence to vehicle safety issues, some of the most common causes of FedEx truck accidents include:
- Speeding;
- Distracted driving;
- Driver fatigue;
- Failure to follow posted signs;
- Lack of vehicle maintenance;
- Improper loading of merchandise;
- Inclement weather conditions.
FedEx is a large company and corporation that operates a fleet of delivery trucks (as well as other motor vehicles). In their role as a delivery service, they owe a duty of care or an obligation to follow safety regulations. These safety regulations include a limit on working hours for drivers, the regular upkeep and maintenance of delivery trucks, and proper training for employees to properly load the vehicles. If FedEx is found to have neglected any of these safety regulations, it may be held liable for any damages caused in a subsequent accident.
What to Do After a FedEx Truck Accident
After a FedEx truck accident, call the local authorities and seek medical attention immediately. Your first priority should be your physical safety and health. Even if you don’t believe you have sustained serious injuries, it’s still crucial to see a doctor so that there is an official record of your visit and any injuries you may have experienced. After you’ve been attended to, ask your health provider for documentation of your examination and any necessary treatments or tests.
If possible, gather evidence at the scene. Take photos of the accident and collect contact information from any witnesses. If possible, get the contact information and a written statement from the FedEx truck driver, although they may be unwilling to cooperate.
Last, in your list of truck accident response steps, get in touch with a Houston FedEx truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. By contacting an attorney early, you are less likely to get taken advantage of by corporate defense lawyers, insurance representatives, and other individuals who may convince you to take a lower settlement than what you deserve.
Call (713) 932-0777 to get in touch with a qualified and compassionate FedEx truck accident attorney in Houston, TX. Our legal team looks forward to discussing your case during your free initial consultation.
How can you prove negligence in a FedEx truck accident case?
To prove liability in FedEx accidents, an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer must show that another person’s negligence led directly to the accident. More specifically, if you’ve been involved in a FedEx truck accident, your legal representation must prove the following four elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant had a duty of care to protect your safety.
- Breach: The defendant breached that duty of care through negligent behavior.
- Cause: The defendant’s behavior and breach of duty of care directly caused your injuries.
- Damages: You experienced economic and/or non-economic damages as a result of your injuries.
In order to prove these elements true and successfully pursue your personal injury claim, it’s crucial to collect as much FedEx truck accident evidence as possible. If you can, collect evidence at the scene of the accident. After the fact, keep track of all your relevant medical records and written communications. Give this evidence to your Houston personal injury lawyer, who is likely to use this evidence as they work toward proving truck accident negligence in your case.
Types of Injuries from FedEx Truck Accidents
Unfortunately, most FedEx truck accidents result in serious injuries and fatalities for those involved in the incident. Since FedEx trucks are so much larger and carry so much more weight than the standard passenger vehicle, it’s more likely that they’ll cause significant damage to the average car involved with them in a collision and lead to common injuries associated with truck crashes. These FedEx truck accident injuries include:
- Head injuries;
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Neck and spinal cord injuries;
- Broken bones;
- Internal injuries;
- Lacerations and abrasions;
- Burn injuries;
- Psychological trauma.
What compensation can you seek after a FedEx truck accident?
If you were in a FedEx truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to legal compensation paid by those liable parties. While the dollar amount of FedEx accident compensation varies from case to case, potential truck accident damages may include:
- Medical bills and expenses;
- Lost wages and future income loss;
- Emotional pain and suffering;
- Wrongful death, in the case of a fatal accident.
In the case of gross negligence (where the liable party was especially reckless or negligent), a judge may award punitive damages as part of the legal compensation for a truck crash. Instead of the economic and non-economic damages listed above—which are intended to restore lost damages to the injured party—punitive damages are meant to punish the liable individual for their egregiously negligent conduct.
FAQ's
What special considerations apply when suing major companies like FedEx in Texas?
Large corporations like FedEx have immense networks of legal counsel and financial supporters. FedEx also carries commercial insurance, meaning that they have a lot more to lose in a legal claim—so they’ll work even harder to disprove your story. As a result of these factors, these FedEx truck accident cases can often be more complex and require a more delicate approach than standard personal injury claims—but this doesn’t mean they’re impossible to win. A free case evaluation with a Houston FedEx truck accident attorney can help you better understand your legal rights and options moving forward.
How reliable is the insurance company representing FedEx after an accident?
After a FedEx truck accident, we advise against any communication with the insurance company representing FedEx. FedEx is a large corporation, meaning that it will have strong insurance representatives who, unfortunately, are unlikely to have your best interests at heart. In their role, their goal is often to get you to settle for as little money as possible. That’s why we strongly recommend speaking with a Houston FedEx truck accident attorney who can negotiate with insurance agents on your behalf.
If I share some responsibility for the accident, can I still claim compensation?
Yes, under the Texas Modified Comparative Negligence Law, you can still claim compensation if you are partially responsible for the trucking accident. However, if you’re found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover any damages.
If you are found to be less than 50% responsible in your accident but still share some culpability, then your awarded compensation will most likely be reduced proportionately to the percentage that you are deemed responsible.
How long does it typically take to resolve a FedEx truck accident case?
Every case and claim is different, so it’s difficult to say exactly how long it will take to resolve your FedEx truck accident case. A straightforward claim that has clear evidence of negligence and a clearly liable party may only take a few months. A more complex personal injury lawsuit involving FedEx, however, could take years—which is why it’s crucial to initiate legal action as soon as possible with the help of a resourceful personal injury attorney.
Is FedEx Part of the Federal Government?
No. Despite the name having come from “Federal Express,” FedEx is neither owned nor operated by the Federal Government. FedEx is a publically-traded, for-profit company.
