A deadly collision on July 20, 2024, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, claimed the lives of three people after a FedEx truck overturned on a Honda Accord. 43-year-old father Donnell Hickson, his son Decir Hickson, 18, and daughter Kyla Hickson, 11, were driving on the PA Turnpike in Penn Township around 4:30 a.m. when the crash happened. While the FedEx truck driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, all three family members were sadly found dead at the scene.
How Often Are FedEx Trucks Involved in Collisions?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), FedEx Ground trucks were involved in over 2,600 traffic collisions across the country in a recent two-year period. These commercial vehicle accidents included almost 90 fatal crashes and about 900 injury crashes.
With nearly 130,000 drivers and over 100,000 trucks, FedEx trucks are a frequent presence on our roads. Unfortunately, their size and other factors can result in severe collisions.
What Are Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
A study from the FMCSA found that the vast majority of large truck accidents are caused by driver error. These mistakes made by truck drivers may include:
- Distractions while driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driver inexperience and lack of training
- Driving too fast for conditions or over the speed limit
- Drowsy driving, often caused by hours of service violations
- Not yielding the right of way
- Failing to check the truck’s blind spot before merging
- Tailgating and aggressive driving
- Not obeying traffic laws, signs, and signals
- FMCSA regulation violations
Another frequent contributing factor to truck accidents is mechanical issues, such as brake failure, which may be caused by poor truck maintenance and manufacturing defects. Commercial vehicle accidents may also result from bad weather, improperly loaded cargo, and road conditions.
What Should I Do After a FedEx Truck Accident?
A collision with a FedEx truck is a scary event. It can be challenging to remember everything you should and shouldn’t do in the immediate aftermath and the following weeks while healing. Taking these steps can help protect both your health and your right to demand compensation:
- Call the police – You should call law enforcement to report the accident and emergency services if necessary. Get to a safe place if possible, and don’t leave the scene until police arrive.
- Seek medical attention – Even if you think you aren’t injured, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. They may find hidden injuries with delayed symptoms. It’s also important to make a connection between your injuries and the crash right away.
- Document the scene – Take photos and videos showing the vehicles, any damage or injuries, the current conditions, any possible contributing factors, and the overall scene. Write notes of anything you want to remember later.
- Exchange information – Get the FedEx driver’s insurance and contact information. You should also ask for details like their driver’s license number and the FedEx truck’s VIN. Just be careful not to accidentally imply you may be at fault while talking. If there are any witnesses, try to get their contact info, too.
- Save records – Keep your medical records and bills, employment records showing missed work or lost wages, and any other documents related to the collision. These can all be vital pieces of evidence for your truck accident claim.
- Keep a journal – A journal documenting the pain and difficulties you experience because of your injuries can also further establish what you have suffered because of the crash. This documentation can be especially critical for proving more subjective losses.
- Contact a lawyer – A truck accident attorney can help you through the entire process of filing a personal injury claim, talking to insurance companies, investigating the accident, and proving liability. The sooner you reach out, the sooner they can get to work fighting for your rights.
What Compensation Could I Be Owed for a FedEx Truck Accident?
Large truck accidents often result in severe injuries, which come with massive medical bills, missed time from work, and traumatizing emotional distress. If you suffered injuries in a FedEx truck accident, you could be entitled to compensation for these losses and more. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can pursue money for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, surgery and other treatments, medications, and physical therapy
- Long-term care and expected future medical bills
- Lost income for the time you miss at work while recovering
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life if you can no longer do daily tasks or activities you enjoy
The value of your financial recovery will depend on the extent of your injuries, liability for the collision, available insurance limits, and other factors. Your lawyer can review your case, calculate your losses, and pursue fair compensation for what you have suffered.
In the case of fatal FedEx truck crashes, you may be owed compensation for the loss of your loved one through a wrongful death claim. This may include money for funeral and burial expenses, your loved one’s future earnings, and your grief.
Contact a FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a FedEx truck accident, you deserve to be compensated for the harm you have experienced. However, filing a truck accident claim and communicating with insurance companies is the last thing you need to deal with while you’re trying to recover. FedEx will have tough insurance defense lawyers, and there are complex regulations and legal factors that may affect your claim. When you hire a FedEx truck accident attorney from Marks & Harrison, you can trust that your case is in good hands.
The compassionate legal team at Marks & Harrison has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims since 1911. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge necessary to stand up to big trucking companies like FedEx to demand the maximum financial recovery you are owed. Our team will use our extensive skills to negotiate a fair settlement and take your FedEx truck accident case to court if necessary. With offices across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., we are available 24/7 to provide free consultations. Most importantly, we won’t charge any fees upfront, and you only pay us if we are successful. Contact us today to get started with a FedEx truck accident lawyer.
