Understanding Major Commercial Truck Crashes: What You Need to Know About FedEx and Delivery Truck Accidents
If you or someone you love has been hurt—or worse—in a crash involving a FedEx truck or another big delivery vehicle, you probably have a lot of questions. Why do these crashes happen? How common are they? And what makes these cases so complicated? We’ve dug into the leading studies on commercial truck accidents, and here’s what you should know.
How Common Are Delivery Truck Crashes?
With the rise of online shopping, there are more delivery trucks on the road than ever. Companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon’s contractors run huge fleets, making thousands of deliveries every day. Researchers have found that crashes involving freight trucks are becoming a bigger share of all traffic accidents in the U.S.—and injury rates for drivers and the public are going up, too (Wiley Online Library).
Who Gets Hurt in These Crashes?
The injuries and fatalities from these crashes don’t just affect truck drivers. In fact, studies show that two-thirds of people killed or seriously injured in large truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles, not the truck itself (valoggers.org). When a fully loaded delivery truck collides with a car, the results can be devastating.
Why Do These Crashes Happen?
The causes of major commercial truck crashes are complex. Often, the driver of the other vehicle is at fault. But research shows that trucking companies and their drivers also play a major role. Some of the biggest risk factors include:
- Fatigue and long hours on the road
- Tight delivery schedules that encourage speeding or risky driving
- Distracted driving (using a phone or delivery device)
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Pressure to deliver more packages in less time (K-State.edu; Wiley Online Library)
What Makes FedEx and Other Delivery Truck Cases Unique?
If you’re hurt by a FedEx truck, figuring out who’s responsible isn’t always simple. FedEx drivers may be direct employees, independent contractors, or work for third-party delivery services. This can make it harder to determine who should be held accountable—and big delivery companies often have teams of lawyers ready to fight these claims (GP Solo eReport).
Past court cases show that FedEx and similar companies may be found liable when their drivers cause crashes due to exhaustion, distraction, or failing to follow safety rules. For example, in the high-profile Morga v. FedEx case, a jury awarded significant damages to the family of a woman killed in a FedEx crash—highlighting the risks when safety corners are cut (UNM.edu).
The Bottom Line
Major truck crashes involving companies like FedEx are a growing problem as e-commerce booms. These cases are complex, and getting justice often means facing large corporations with extensive resources. If you or your family has been affected, it’s important to work with a legal team that understands the trucking industry and has the experience to take on these delivery giants.
If you have questions about your rights after a crash involving a FedEx truck or any commercial delivery vehicle, contact our team. We’re here to help you get the answers—and the justice—you deserve.
Girards Law Firm specializes in severe injury and wrongful death cases, especially those that involve birth injuries, brain damage, heart damage, spinal cord injuries or severe burns in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Contact us at www.girardslaw.com by using the chat feature for more information.