FedEx Accident Cases and Settlements

On this page, we will look at FedEx accident lawsuits in which someone is injured by a FedEx delivery truck. Truck accident cases are entirely different from regular auto accident cases, and FedEx truck accident cases are somewhat unique.

We will explain what makes FedEx and other truck accident claims different from a legal perspective, and we will also explain why these cases tend to have a significantly higher settlement value compared to normal car accident.

About Federal Express

FedEx is a massive company. It is the second-largest shipping and delivery company in the world, behind only UPS. FedEx delivers $20 trillion worth of packages every year. The company employs over 500,000 people worldwide and its 2024 gross revenue was $87 billion.

FedEx delivers through a network of different divisions, including FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Logistics. FedEx and its divisions deliver over 16 million packages every day worldwide, encompassing both domestic and international shipments across its various services. Below is a breakdown of daily shipping volume among FedEx’s 3 main divisions:

• FedEx Ground: Approximately 9.42 million packages per day as of December 2023, including commercial, home delivery, and economy services. ​
• FedEx Express: Around 5.47 million packages daily, covering both U.S. domestic and international express shipments.
• FedEx Freight: Handles about 92,000 shipments per day, focusing on less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services.

At some

point in the delivery process, almost all of these millions of daily packages wind up on a FedEx delivery truck. FedEx maintains a fleet of over 200,000 motorized delivery trucks and vehicles, one of the largest fleets in the world.

FedEx Delivery Truck Accidents

FedEx has a well earned reputation for being a very responsible company that tries to do things the correct way. The company has always placed a very high priority on safety, both for the public and its delivery drivers.

FedEx drivers are put through a very vigorous screening process with extensive background checks. The basic requirements for FedEx delivery drivers are as follows:

• Age: Must be at least 21 years old.
• Driving Experience: Have professional driving experience within the last three years or be enrolled in an entry-level driving program.
• Background Check: Undergo a comprehensive background screening, including criminal history and motor vehicle records.
• Drug Testing: Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test and physical examination.

FedEx utilizes First Advantage for background checks. Candidates complete an online profile, after which the service provider orders the necessary background screens. The screening includes a criminal background check and a review of the applicants motor vehicle driver record.

Once hired, FedEx delivery drivers go through an extensive training and certification process. The training program includes 80 hours of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. This is followed by a 5-day in-person certification class.

Despite all of these efforts to screen and train safe delivery drivers, the massive size of the FedEx delivery fleet and the millions of miles driven by its drivers on a daily basis means that accidents are unavoidable. Cumulative accident statistics for FedEx is difficult to provide because the company operates through so many different subsidiaries and divisions. Based on accident data

reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMSCA”), however, it appears that FedEx drivers average around 450 accidents resulting in personal injuries each year and 45 accidents involving fatalities each year.

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 Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident cases are a bit different than normal auto accident cases, and this is definitely true for FedEx claims.

More Evidence on Liability

A major difference when suing FedEx is the wealth of evidence available if there’s a dispute over who caused the crash.

FedEx vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including electronic mobile communication (EMC) systems—essentially black boxes—that record critical data such as speed, braking, mechanical status, and more. This information can be invaluable for accident reconstruction experts trying to determine what really happened.

There’s also data on the driver’s compliance with federal hours-of-service rules, which can be crucial in proving negligence. When your attorney knows where to look, this information becomes a powerful asset in litigation. But navigating this complex web of data isn’t something just any car accident lawyer can handle—experience with commercial carrier cases matters.

Drivers Are Independent Contractors

One key complication is that, unlike companies like UPS, most FedEx drivers are independent contractors—not direct FedEx employees. If you delay filing a lawsuit close to the statute of limitations, you risk missing a key defendant, losing access to critical evidence, and potentially missing out on an insurance policy that could cover the damages.

While FedEx, as a company, generally maintains high standards, its independent contractors don’t always operate with the same level of professionalism or focus on safety. That contrast can become powerful evidence in front of a jury.

Trucking Regulations

One thing that makes many accident cases involving big commercial trucks different is that commercial trucking companies and their drivers must comply with a variety of local, state, and federal laws. These include strict regulations on driver hours, truck maintenance, cargo loads, and more. These rules can play a critical role in establishing liability and maximizing compensation. In

most FedEx cases these regulations do not apply because FedEx delivery trucks do not meet the size and weight requirements for these regulations to kick in.

The Role of Independent Contractors in FedEx Accident Liability

A distinctive aspect of FedEx’s operational model is its reliance on independent contractors for package delivery, particularly within its FedEx Ground division. Unlike companies that employ drivers directly, FedEx’s use of contractors introduces complexities in determining liability in the event of an accident.

When a FedEx delivery vehicle is involved in a collision, questions arise regarding who is legally responsible—the individual driver, the contracting company, or FedEx itself. This structure can complicate legal proceedings, as plaintiffs may need to navigate through layers of corporate relationships to establish fault and pursue compensation.

Moreover, classifying drivers as independent contractors can impact the settlement process. While the insurance money is usually there either way in most cases, our lawyers would rather sue FedEx than some small contractor that jurors have never heard of before. So this designation is challenged in court, with plaintiffs’ attorneys arguing that FedEx exercises significant control over drivers’ work, effectively making them employees. These battles can influence the outcome of lawsuits and impact settlement amounts victims receive. So it is a fight worth fighting. 

Settlement Value of FedEx Accident Cases

Truck accident lawsuits against a commercial defendant accident cases will more often than not have higher settlement values compared to standard car accident claims.

There are several reasons behind this. First, commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. When a truck is involved in a collision, the injuries it causes are usually more severe simply because of the size and force involved. Second, commercial trucks are required to carry large liability insurance policies, often with limits of one million dollars or more. This bigger pool of insurance money naturally allows for larger settlements. Third, commercial trucking companies typically do not get much sympathy from juries. When these cases go to trial, jurors are far more likely to award large verdicts against a company they view as responsible for operating dangerous, heavy vehicles for profit.

FedEx accident cases have an even higher settlement value than regular truck accident cases for all of these reasons. Although FedEx delivery trucks are not quite as massive as full 18-wheelers, they are still roughly three times the size and weight of a typical passenger car. That extra size means they can cause devastating injuries even at moderate speeds. This reality drives up the potential value of claims involving FedEx trucks because the damages are often more serious than what you would expect from a typical two-car crash.

There is another dynamic that plays heavily into the higher settlement values in FedEx cases: sympathy, or more accurately, the lack of it. In a regular car accident case, even if an insurance company is ultimately paying the settlement or verdict, the jury knows there is a real person behind the wheel.

Jurors often worry, both consciously or subconsciously, about financially ruining an individual driver if they award too much. That concern can result in lower verdicts which, in turn, leads to lower settlements, even when liability is clear. Insurance is there in most cases, but jurors do not always feel comfortable awarding very large sums against someone they see as just an ordinary person who made a mistake… and they usually do not get confirmation that an insurance company is involved.

With FedEx and other corporate defendants, that concern does not exist. No one on a jury feels guilty about awarding millions against a massive corporation like FedEx. Juries understand that FedEx has virtually unlimited resources and is fully capable of paying any judgment. In fact, in many commercial cases, lawyers will deliberately avoid naming the individual driver as a defendant at all. By keeping the focus solely on the corporation, plaintiffs’ lawyers prevent the jury from feeling any personal sympathy for a human being and instead encourage them to hold the company fully accountable.

This combination—lack of sympathy for the defendant, recognition of deep corporate pockets, and serious injuries—makes a better environment for higher verdicts and higher settlement payouts. Even in cases involving relatively minor injuries, FedEx often feels pressure to settle for more than it would in a standard car accident case to avoid the risk of a runaway jury verdict.

How Does FedEx Value Bodily Injury Claims for Settlement?

FedEx evaluates claims for settlement through a very deliberate process that focuses on a few critical factors. The most significant factor is the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. Claims involving serious, permanent, or life-altering injuries typically lead to higher settlement evaluations.

This is a very detailed process. FedEx closely reviews medical records, imaging studies, and treatment histories to determine whether the injuries are directly linked to the accident and whether they are likely to generate sympathy from a jury. Cases involving surgeries, permanent disabilities, or significant future medical expenses are treated as higher-risk files from the outset.

Another important factor is the risk FedEx faces if the case goes to trial. FedEx is fully aware that juries are less sympathetic to large corporations, particularly in personal injury cases. When liability appears strong and the plaintiff is credible and relatable, FedEx recognizes that the threat of a large verdict increases. The location of the case plays a major role as well. Cases pending in venues with a reputation for generous juries often command stronger settlement offers. FedEx also considers the reputation and past results of the plaintiff’s lawyer. When opposing counsel has demonstrated a history of taking cases to verdict and securing meaningful awards, FedEx typically adjusts its settlement strategy accordingly.

FedEx also carefully considers broader factors such as potential publicity and internal business goals. Because FedEx is a public-facing brand, it is mindful of the risk that a trial could bring unwanted attention. Cases that carry even a modest risk of negative publicity may be resolved more quickly and for higher amounts to avoid brand damage. Additionally, FedEx aims to control litigation

costs and limit the uncertainty that comes with jury trials. In the right cases, experienced lawyers know how to position claims so that FedEx’s risk management teams see early that settlement is the smartest path forward.

FedEx Accident Settlements and Verdicts

Below are examples of publicly reported settlements and jury verdict payouts result in accident cases involving FedEx delivery trucks.

Contact Us About FedEx Accident Cases

Our lawyers handle big truck accident injury cases across the country. If you have been seriously injured in FedEx truck accident, call us today at 800-553-8082 for a fre