On this page, we will look at accident lawsuits against FedEx. We will explain what to expect when bringing an injury lawsuit against FedEx related to an accident with a FedEx delivery truck. We will also look at the average settlement value of FedEx accident claims.
About FedEx
FedEx (Federal Express) Corporation is an international shipping and delivery services company. FedEx was founded in the early 1970s by Fred Smith. FedEx was originally an express transportation company that focused exclusively on parcel shipping. Today, however, FedEx is one of the biggest shipping and freight companies in the world.
FedEx pioneered the overnight delivery industry and revolutionized global logistics with its hub-and-spoke system, where packages are routed through central distribution centers (hubs) before being shipped to their destinations.
FedEx has three primary business divisions or units that are involved in the delivery segment of its business:
- FedEx Express: The company’s original express delivery business, offering overnight and time-sensitive deliveries worldwide.
- FedEx Ground: Provides cost-effective ground shipping for parcels across the U.S. and Canada.
- FedEx Freight: Specializes in less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services.
FedEx Delivery Truck Fleet
FedEx delivery trucks log billions of travel miles in the U.S each year. FedEx has a fleet of over 200,000 vehicles, most of which are delivery trucks. FedEx delivery vehicles come in 3 primary types:
- Box Trucks: Medium-duty, larger trucks with large cargo space are used for larger deliveries. These include trucks from manufacturers like Freightliner and Isuzu.
- Step Vans: The most common vehicle used in the Ground fleet, recognizable by its square body and high cargo capacity. Step vans are often used in residential and commercial deliveries.
- Vans: FedEx uses commercial vans for small to medium-sized deliveries. Common models include the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
FedEx Delivery Truck Accidents
FedEx trucks, like any other large-scale delivery fleet, are occasionally involved in road accidents. Given the vast size of FedEx’s fleet and the number of miles its trucks cover daily, accidents can occur for various reasons, including driver error, weather conditions, or vehicle malfunction.
In 2023, FedEx transported more than 20 billion tons of goods valued at over $20 trillion. Given the sheer volume of shipments, a significant number of motor vehicle accidents are inevitable. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), from 2022 to 2024, FedEx drivers were involved in 87 fatal accidents and 857 accidents resulting in serious injuries.
The number of fatal accidents involving FedEx trucks and drivers has increased over the last few years. This increase in incidents has led the company to implement safety measures like installing vehicle cameras and sensors to monitor driver behavior and reduce accidents. Additionally, FedEx Express, which operates its trucks directly, reported fewer fatal crashes in comparison to its Ground unit, which relies on independent contractors.
To address rising accidents and insurance costs, FedEx has emphasized the adoption of safety technologies and real-time driver monitoring. Despite these efforts, some critics argue that high driver turnover, particularly among contractors, is a key contributor to the safety challenges, as newer, less experienced drivers tend to have more accidents.
Common Causes of FedEx Delivery Truck Accidents
Accidents with a FedEx delivery truck can happen for a variety of different reasons. However, there are certain causes of accidents that tend to me more common in FedEx accidents.
Driver Fatigue: FedEx drivers often operate under tight deadlines, particularly during peak shipping seasons (like the holidays), which can sometimes lead to driver fatigue, a common factor in accidents.
Weather Conditions: Poor weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, can increase the likelihood of accidents, especially on highways or rural roads where large trucks may have less traction or visibility.
Speeding and Reckless Driving: In some cases, drivers may speed to meet delivery schedules, increasing the risk of accidents, particularly in densely populated or urban areas.
Distracted Driving: The use of phones, navigation systems, or other distractions can sometimes lead to accidents involving FedEx trucks, similar to other commercial vehicles.
Vehicle Maintenance Issues: Mechanical failure, such as brake or tire issues, can contribute to crashes. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent these accidents, but failures still happen occasionally.
FedEx Accidents Cases Have Higher Settlement Values
In most auto accident cases, the question of who is at-fault or liable for the accident is not really in dispute. The real issue is the settlement value of the case.
Accident cases in which FedEx is the defendant are always going to have a higher settlement value compared to a normal auto accident case involving the same circumstances and the same injuries. The reason for this is simple. Juries have a known tendency to award higher damages to plaintiffs when the defendant is a big corporation like FedEx versus just an individual person. This reality basically forces FedEx to make higher settlement offers.
The other reason that FedEx cases have a higher average settlement value is that FedEx is self-insured. This means that there is no insurance policy limit to put a maximum cap on the amount of damages a plaintiff can potentially get.
Other Unique Factors in FedEx Accident Cases
A key difference in lawsuits involving FedEx is the wealth of information available to help determine liability in a collision. FedEx vehicles are equipped with advanced technology, including an electronic mobile communication (EMC) device, or “black box,” which captures critical data such as speed, braking activity, and the vehicle’s mechanical status at the time of the crash. Accident reconstruction experts can use this data to trace the vehicle’s movements and identify contributing factors.
Additionally, information about the driver’s compliance with hours-of-service regulations is accessible, providing further insights into possible causes of the accident. These technological tools can serve as powerful assets in litigation, but it requires an experienced attorney to navigate the complexities and uncover this data effectively.
Unlike FedEx, most of its drivers, particularly in the Ground division, are independent contractors, which can complicate liability issues. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you may miss critical defendants or key evidence, particularly if you discover late in the process that the driver involved was not directly employed by FedEx. While FedEx tends to maintain high operational standards, the practices of its independent contractors can sometimes fall short, which can be compelling evidence during a trial.
FedEx Accident Settlements and Verdicts
Below are summaries of recent verdicts and publicly reported settlements in cases involving FedEx delivery truck accidents resulting in injuries. These cases provide a very helpful example of how the settlement values of these cases can vary depending on the circumstances.
$800,000 Settlement (North Carolina 2024): The plaintiff, a minor, was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a delivery truck owned and operated by FedEx Ground Package System. The accident resulted in the death of the FedEx driver, while the plaintiff suffered “unspecified injuries.” FedEx ultimately settled the case for $800,000, indicating that the injuries sustained by the plaintiff were likely quite significant.
$40,000 Verdict (New Jersey 2024): The plaintiff was stopped at an intersection when a FedEx delivery truck collided with his vehicle from behind. He reported suffering permanent injuries, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral strains, accompanied by residual post-traumatic myofascitis.
$25,000 Settlement (Texas 2024): The plaintiff, a minor, suffered unspecified injuries when he was a passenger in his father’s car that was rear-ended by a FedEx delivery truck. The case settled for $25,000.
$8,000,000 Verdict (Nevada 2023): The plaintiff claimed she sustained permanent back injuries after being rear-ended by a FedEx delivery truck. Although FedEx acknowledged liability in the accident, they disputed the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries, arguing that they were connected to a previous incident.
$250,000 Verdict (Virginia 2022): The plaintiff claimed he suffered crushed vertebrae in his lumbar spine, resulting in severe pain and dysfunction, after his northbound vehicle collided with a FedEx truck. The collision occurred when the truck, driven by a FedEx employee, made an unexpected u-turn into the plaintiff’s lane. The plaintiff argued that FedEx was responsible for its driver’s negligence, as she failed to operate the vehicle with reasonable care. While FedEx admitted liability for the accident, the company disputed the extent of the plaintiff’s claimed injuries and damages.
$550,000 Settlement (Pennsylvania 2021): A FedEx delivery driver, while navigating a busy intersection, struck an elderly female victim in a broadside collision. The plaintiff sustained significant injuries, including trauma to her head, neck, and back, as well as a broken arm. FedEx ultimately agreed to settle the case for $550,000.
What is the Average FedEx Accident Settlement?
The average settlement amount for serious truck accident cases against FedEx typically ranges from $75,000 to $110,000. In contrast, the average jury verdict for large commercial trucking companies is approximately $510,000, with FedEx cases often yielding slightly higher verdicts. The potential value of any specific case against FedEx largely hinges on the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries resulting from the accident.
Contact Us About FedEx Accident Cases
If you have been seriously injured in an accident with a FedEx vehicle, contact our national truck accident lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.