Los Angeles FedEx Accidents Lawyer
The increasing popularity of online shopping has resulted in a rise in the total number of trucks used to deliver goods. Sadly, the number of accidents involving delivery trucks has also been increasing. One of these is Federal Express, widely known as FedEx, a fleet of delivery trucks. FedEx Corporation is a multibillion-dollar international delivery company. Their delivery trucks can be found all over California’s roads. Every day, you most likely pass several FedEx-owned and operated vehicles. Given the number of FedEx delivery trucks on the road, it is not surprising that they have been involved in several automobile collisions.
FedEx is legally obligated to ensure that its delivery vehicles are always operated safely. While the company claims to adhere to stringent safety standards, FedEx accidents still occur in Los Angeles. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a collision with a FedEx truck, please contact the experienced FedEx truck accident attorney at Haffner Law immediately. We can provide you with a thorough understanding of your legal rights and the best recovery options. Speak to us now!
Why Do I Need a FedEx Accidents Lawyer in California?
Trucking accident claims involving FedEx drivers can be difficult to navigate, particularly when determining who is responsible for your injuries. However, hiring an experienced FedEx accident lawyer may allow you to focus on recovering from your injuries while your attorney handles your case.
While you focus on your recovery, we provide legal advice and develop the best legal strategy for you by
- Aggressively investigating all aspects of your FedEx accident
- Gathering information and strong evidence relating to the crash
- Handling paperwork, phone calls, necessary court filings, and aggressive insurance company adjusters
- Negotiating for a settlement offer that protects your rights and future financial needs
- Keeping you informed of the latest developments in your case
- Preparing your case for a possible trial if a settlement will not be reached
Whether going through a medical procedure or grieving the loss of a loved one, having someone by your side can help ease your mind. Our compassionate Los Angeles FedEx truck accident attorney at Haffner Law will be here for you. Reach out to us now to learn more about how we can help you!
What are the Common Causes of Los Angeles FedEx Delivery Truck Accidents?
FedEx stays ahead of the competition in a highly competitive industry by shipping packages as quickly as possible. As a result, FedEx drivers are under undue pressure to meet their quotas. Because of stress or exhaustion, drivers may commit negligent acts. Unfortunately, even a split second of inattention can be enough to cause a fatal collision between a truck and another vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist.
The following are some of the most common reasons why FedEx delivery trucks are involved in accidents in Los Angeles:
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inadequate training or experience
- Inadequate inspection or maintenance
- Forgetting to set the parking brake
- Unsecured or excessive cargo
- Dangerous road conditions
- Vehicle breakdowns
- Mechanical failure
- Violation of California traffic rules
You may be able to file a claim not only against the FedEx driver but also against the trucking company that employs the driver, but this will depend on the specifics of your case and the circumstances surrounding it. For assistance in identifying the responsible parties in your truck accident case, you should contact a reputable Los Angeles FedEx truck accident attorney.
Injuries in FedEx Delivery Truck Accidents
FedEx large delivery trucks’ size and momentum can cause serious injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles in truck-car collisions, including
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Nerve damages
- Contusions and severe cuts and abrasions
- Internal organ injuries
- Burn injury
- Back or neck injuries
- Neuromuscular injuries
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Cognitive or motor impairment
- Amputation
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Catastrophic injury
Will FedEx Be Liable for a Delivery Truck Driver’s Negligence?
Following a FedEx accident, your experienced personal injury lawyer will investigate the driver’s relationship with the company. FedEx employs direct employees and contractors that drive the thousands of 18-wheeler semis that transport packages across state lines and the box vans that deliver those packages to the consumer’s door. In both cases, FedEx will be held liable for the driver’s negligence if they performed their primary duties at the time of the accident.
The company may avoid liability by emphasizing the driver’s status as an independent contractor. FedEx and other delivery companies have divided their operations into separate operating companies. By doing so, they may try to limit liability to one of those companies.
This will be a difficult battle. FedEx does not admit liabilities; this is where you will need legal advice from a seasoned FedEx accident attorney in Los Angeles.
When Can FedEx Be Held Legally Liable for an Accident?
California is a fault-based auto accident state. In practice, you must demonstrate that a defendant was “to blame” for your accident to hold them liable for your damages. Negligence is the basis for blame. If FedEx acted recklessly or carelessly and you were injured; as a result, you can hold them legally responsible for your accident.
Negligence can manifest itself in a variety of ways. FedEx should be held accountable for its misconduct, whether a distracted driver making an unsafe lane change or the company overloading the delivery truck and making it too dangerous to be on the road. You need to satisfy and establish four elements to prove FedEx liable.
- First, you must be able to prove that the truck driver owed you a duty of care;
- Second, the owed duty of care was breached;
- Third, the breach of duty was the actual or proximate cause of the FedEx truck accident, and your injuries and;
- Lastly, you must also prove any damages claimed
Who Is Liable For A FedEx Delivery Truck Accident?
If you were hurt in an accident involving a FedEx truck caused by one of the company’s drivers, FedEx would certainly be the party you hold liable for your injuries.
Why Would FedEx Have to Pay for the Negligence of Its Driver?
FedEx can be held liable for an accident caused by one of its drivers in two ways:
- Vicarious liability
- FedEx was negligent in hiring, training, and supervising the driver
What Is Vicarious Liability?
This legal theory holds an employer liable for the negligent actions of its employees as long as they act within the scope of their employment.
For instance, a FedEx driver was texting while completing a package run and ran a red light, striking you as you passed through the intersection. FedEx is liable in this case because the employee acted within the scope of his employment (delivering packages) when he committed the act that resulted in your accident.
What Is Negligent Hiring, Training, or Supervising of a FedEx Driver?
FedEx is responsible for monitoring its drivers to ensure they safely operate their vehicles. The following are some of how businesses can violate this duty:
- Negligent Hiring – FedEx must perform a background check on driver applicants, including a record and criminal record check. FedEx may be liable if an employee with multiple DUI arrests drives a delivery truck while impaired and injures someone.
- Negligent Training – FedEx can be liable if it didn’t properly train a driver with a clean driving record and no criminal convictions. FedEx should evaluate the driver’s job skills, identify gaps, and prepare the employee.
- Negligent Supervision – FedEx must constantly monitor its drivers to detect problems. FedEx should have a system to track on-and-off-duty DUIs, speeding tickets, and other moving violations. FedEx should discipline its drivers for speeding. It is negligence when problems go unnoticed.
To hold the company accountable, you must be prepared to present compelling evidence to support your claim. As a result, you must retain the services of a competent Los Angeles FedEx accident lawyer early in the claims process.
Can other parties be liable too?
Other potentially liable parties in a FedEx truck accident case may include:
- 3rd party loading company
- The truck maintenance company
- The truck manufacturer
- Other drivers
- Government agencies
What Damages Can I Get for a FedEx Truck Accident Case?
Personal injury victims in California have the right, under California personal injury law, to seek total and fair financial compensation from FedEx, which was negligent in causing their accident.
In practice, obtaining a full settlement offer can be extremely difficult. FedEx and its insurers work hard to protect their financial interests. They are rarely willing to offer full compensation to injured victims immediately following a crash. Your damages must be meticulously documented and well-presented to maximize your financial recovery. Our Los Angeles FedEx accident lawyer can assist you in recovering economic and non-economic damages for
- Past and future medical bills
- Emergency medical care
- Property damage
- Lost wages and other lost income
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent impairment or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- If a death is involved, wrongful death damages may be awarded to the accident victim’s family. This includes:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Punitive damages are typically not awarded in a wrongful death case in California unless the plaintiff can demonstrate that the defendant tried to end the life of their loved one maliciously or intentionally.
How Long Do You Have to File a FedEx Truck Accident Claim?
FedEx truck accident victims in California generally have two years from the date of the wreck to file a legal claim under the California statute of limitations. If the injury was not discovered immediately, the time limit is one year from the date of discovery. Your claim may be dismissed if the statute of limitations runs out.
If a loved one was killed in a Los Angeles FedEx accident, you have two years from the date of the tragedy to file a claim for wrongful death. If you were physically unharmed, but your vehicle sustained significant property damage for may file a claim within three years after the crash.
Claims against government agencies must be filed with the agency within six months for personal injury or personal property damage or one year for breach of contract and real property damage.
Building a strong case will be more challenging if you delay taking action. You are strongly advised to contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney as soon as possible following a collision.
FedEx Accidents and Lawsuits FAQs
What should I do if I am injured in a FedEx truck accident?
- Seek medical attention
- Do not accept a settlement offer
- Do not provide the insurance company with a recorded statement
- Call Haffner Law as soon as you can
What happens if a FedEx truck crashes into your vehicle and the driver flees the scene?
If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident with a FedEx truck, you should contact the police immediately. Officers may be able to determine what truck and FedEx driver were in the area or on that particular road at the time of the crash. You should also contact a Los Angeles FedEx truck accident attorney right away.
What is the process of filing a lawsuit against FedEx?
A FedEx vehicle accident claim can be complicated. Multiple parties may be involved, and you may need to seek a FedEx car accident settlement from numerous insurance companies. Instead of attempting to navigate this process on your own, let our legal team handle everything. We understand the FedEx claim process and can handle everything for you.
What is the Average Settlement in an Accident Case Against FedEx?
FedEx accident claims, like any other type of accident case, can vary significantly in value. There is no such thing as an “average” because the value of your settlement will be determined by the nature of your injuries and losses – the more serious your damages, the more compensation you may be entitled to. Consult a FedEx accident lawyer in Los Angeles about the worth of your claim.
Why FedEx Accident Cases Have a Higher Settlement Value?
FedEx cases may result in higher settlements for a variety of reasons, including
- Injuries can be more severe from truck accidents
- Corporate insurance has higher policy limits to cover more losses
- Juries prefer to hold trucking companies entirely responsible for dangerous drivers
What to Expect When You File a Claim Against FedEx
Large commercial trucking companies, such as FedEx, seldom accept liability for accidents, even when they are clearly at fault. This denial of accountability not only violates the expectation that people should own up to their mistakes, but it also forces victims to fight for the compensation that is rightfully theirs.
Another common tactic FedEx uses is to delay and dispute your claim until the statute of limitations expires. That means your claim will be lost if FedEx can keep you waiting for two years without you filing a lawsuit. With its army of lawyers and claims denial specialists, FedEx can implement such a strategy.
What Else is Different About a Claim Against FedEx?
FedEx is a massively large corporation that delivers millions of packages per day while operating thousands of motorized vehicles of various sizes across the United States. The corporation has a policy of not admitting fault and will deny liability for the FedEx truck collision and accident. If you file a claim, you must document, verify, and prove every single loss associated with the claim.
Call Our Los Angeles FedEx Accidents Lawyer Now!
Suppose you want to compete with a powerful company like FedEx. In that case, you will need to ensure that you have a capable Los Angeles FedEx accident attorney on your side. These businesses frequently make it a point to steer clear of making payments to victims because they don’t want to create a poor example that could lead to additional legal action in the future.
On the other hand, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries if they were caused by a FedEx truck. At Haffner Law, we take great pride in aggressively advocating for our clients. We will see that you are compensated to the full extent that your loss justifies.
We have a team of seasoned personal injury attorneys ready to assist you in building a compelling case by gathering the evidence required to support your account of the events that transpired. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can assist you!
