How to Sue FedEx for a Commercial Auto Accident

If you were involved in a commercial auto accident with a FedEx vehicle, you’re probably wondering; how to I make sure I get a fair amount for my wreck and injuries?, how much are cases like mine actually case worth?, what is the process of suing FedEx actually like, and what types of lawyers handle cases against FedEx. This article will walk you through the answers to all those questions and more.

Background about FedEx

Odds are, you have seen a FedEx branded van, delivery truck, or 18-wheeler tractor trailer on the road before or at least have had a package delivered to you from FedEx.  For those somehow unfamiliar, FedEx is one of the largest shipping companies on earth and is known for pioneering overnight delivery. 

The FedEx corporation is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and operates in almost every country on earth.  In a 24-hour period, FedEx delivers about 14.5 million packages globally with its fleet of over 200,000 motorized vehicles. 

Given the vast scale of its shipping and delivery operations, FedEx vehicles are frequently involved in auto accidents in Texas and other states.  According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), between 2022 and 2024, FedEx drivers were involved in 87 fatal accidents alone in the US.  The total number of auto accidents involving FedEx is likely in the thousands each year and each one can have devastating consequences for those involved.  Anyone in an auto accident involving a FedEx vehicle might have a potential lawsuit against the driver of the delivery vehicle and FedEx.   

Understanding lawsuits against FedEx

FedEx has a legal responsibility to ensure that every single one of their delivery and transportation vehicles are driven in a safe and prudent manner by a qualified operator with a properly functioning vehicle. Victims of FedEx auto accidents may have various legal claims, depending on the circumstances of the crash.  Some common legal grounds include:

• Negligence: If a FedEx driver acted carelessly or recklessly, leading to an accident, the injured party can file a lawsuit based on negligence.  This is the most common basis for a lawsuit as most drivers will admit that auto accidents are avoidable if the driver was more defensive and careful. 
• Vicarious Liability: Since FedEx employs many of its drivers, the company can be held liable for their actions under the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior.”  This is the main legal basis for including the company in the lawsuit with the driver because the law holds FedEx responsible for the wrongful acts of their drivers in performing their regular duties.
• Negligent Hiring & Supervision: If FedEx hired a driver with a poor driving record or failed to properly train them, the company may be held responsible under a theory of negligent hiring and supervision.  For example, if FedEx ignored that a driver had multiple previous accidents and chose to hire the driver anyway, FedEx can be held liable because FedEx knew that the driver was likely to be in another accident. 
• Product or Maintenance Defects: If faulty truck parts or poor maintenance contributed to the accident, FedEx or a third-party maintenance provider could be liable.  For example, image a FedEx truck slams into the back of a vehicle because it could not stop in time due to the tread on the tires being so low that the truck needed extra time to stop.  In that case, FedEx could still be liable even if the driver acted reasonably and braked on time because the tires were dangerously worn down.  

What does an auto accident lawsuit against FedEx entail?

If you’re involved in an auto accident with a FedEx vehicle, it’s crucial to take the following steps:

1. Call 911: Ensure medical help (EMS) arrives if injuries are involved and make sure a police report is completed that documents the accident.
2. Gather Evidence: Have you or someone else take as many pictures and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, and injuries as possible. The best time to take these pictures and videos is as soon as possible, in fact, often the only time to take these photos and videos is immediately after the accident as vehicles get towed, moved, and injuries heal. 
3. Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation that same day to document potential health issues and concerns.  Many insurance companies will take the position that your injuries were fabricated if you get medical care more than a few hours after the accident. 
4. Avoid Speaking to FedEx Representatives: FedEx’s insurance adjusters may try to minimize the claim or blame it on you.  It’s best to consult a trucking or commercial vehicle accident attorney first.
5. Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer: An experienced truck accident attorney can help navigate the legal process, preserve crucial evidence, and fight for fair compensation.

How much is my accident case against FedEx worth?

Accident cases against FedEx can be very valuable to the injured person and their family.   Morrow & Sheppard LLP has handled commercial vehicle accident cases worth millions of dollars against FedEx and other shipping companies.  The value of your commercial vehicle accident case is going to depend on;

• Property damages (i.e. getting the amount to repair or replace your vehicle);
• Medical bills you have incurred and will need to pay for in the future;
• Income and wages you lost;
• Income and wages you may will lose in the future (i.e., if you are no longer able to continue working or continue working the capacity you were working prior to the accident);
• Physical pain and suffering you have experienced, as well as the physical pain and suffering you will continue experiencing in the future;
• Past and future mental injuries you sustained as result of the accident;
• Loss of a loved one;
• And so much more

Generally, the injuries suffered as a result of commercial vehicle accident tend to be far greater than the injuries sustained in the average low-speed collision between two personal vehicles (think about a collision between a Toyota Corolla and a Nissan Sentra after one of them blows through a stop sign versus a collision between a Toyota Corolla and a FedEx eighteen-wheeler at full speed on a highway). 

Examples of lawsuits and verdicts against FedEx trucks

Morrow & Sheppard LLP has an extensive history of successfully taking on and recovering compensation for our clients who were injured as a result of being involved in accidents with big rigs and commercial vehicles, like FedEx. In the last two years alone, Morrow & Sheppard LLP has successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients involved in commercial motor vehicle accidents, including:

• $1,500,000 involving a trucking accident in Harris County, Texas where the truck driver and the trucking company were adamant the accident was our clients’ fault, until we obtained the truck’s dash cam footage which clearly showed the truck driver side-swiped our clients’ vehicle.
• $950,000 in a case where a commercial vehicle driver caused an accident with our client on Interstate 10 in Harris County, Texas.
• $920,000 in a roll-over case where our client was the passenger of the commercial motor vehicle.
• $350,000 in a case where a box truck rear-ended our client on a highway in Harris County, Texas.
• $300,000 in a case where a commercial vehicle turned from the wrong lane and T-boned our client.

An undisclosed amount for the maximum amount allowable to recover under the commercial vehicle’s insurance policy in a case where the driver of the commercial vehicle rear-ended our client.  Various other cases, involving big rigs and commercial vehicles, for confidential and undisclosed amounts.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to sue FedEx for a car accident?

Morrow & Sheppard LLP offers a free consultation to evaluate your FedEx car accident case, discuss your legal options, and explain how our contingency fee arrangement works.  You only pay if we win your case. 

Reach out to us today to schedule your free consultation.

What type of lawyer sues FedEx for truck accidents?

Personal injury lawyers who specialize in commercial auto accident cases are the best type of lawyer to handle your FedEx truck accident case.  The attorneys at Morrow & Sheppard LLP have a strong track record of handling commercial auto accident cases of all sizes and have a deep understanding of the local, state, and federal regulations that apply to a given case.  

Reach out to us today to schedule your free consultation.