In the 24-month period prior to December 3, 2017, FedEx Express drivers were reported to have been involved in 1762 crashes, 575 involving injuries, including 41 deaths. From 2012, the number of crashes has increased by 254.5%; the number of injuries has increased by 192%, and the number of fatalities has increased by 273%.
FedEx Holiday Accident in Georgia
Trucking accidents during the holidays are not just about statistics and abstractions. They have real-life stories behind them, and can affect anyone when least expected.
Just last year in mid-December, a FedEx delivery truck was involved in an accident in Monroe County on Georgia’s Interstate 75. When the driver lost control of the trailer, he crashed into the median barrier, sending holiday packages flying all over the highway. The driver was not hurt, although a passenger in the truck was hospitalized. Clean-up of the highway to remove it of presents and other debris was coordinated between local authorities and employees of FedEx.
Common Holiday Truck Accident Cause: Driver Fatigue
The FedEx driver in last year’s Interstate 75 accident was not able to control a detached trailer. While it is not clear what caused the trailer to become detached, driver fatigue may have contributed to the accident.
Drivers this time of year are putting in hard hours. They’ve got day-after-day of tight delivery schedules, and often drive in poor weather conditions. What’s more, some may be driving beyond legal working limits.
The maximum working hours during a seven-day period allowed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is 70. Monitoring and enforcing safe driving limits can be difficult any time of year, and particularly challenging during the holidays. To ensure the timely delivery of their packages, some employers may push drivers beyond legal working limits.
Given all of the above factors, it’s easy to see why delivery and freight truck drivers might be tired on the job during the “giving season.” Driver fatigue is a major contributor to vehicle accidents of any kind. Fatigue compromises cognitive and decision-making abilities, as well as reaction times.
How You Can Stay Safe?
With some basic defensive driving techniques, you can reduce the chances of becoming a victim of a dangerous delivery or freight truck accident. Some specific safety precautions to consider, especially this time of year, include:
Give the Big Guys Room – The biggest solution to avoiding an accident with a FedEx or any other type of delivery truck is to allow these vehicles plenty of navigation room. Delivery and freight trucks require a great deal of space to safely stop. A truck that has to brake suddenly – due to another driver cutting them off, debris in the road, etc. – can cause the truck to slip, tip-over, or collide with another vehicle. To avoid being involved in any of these situations, it’s a great idea to give these larger vehicles plenty of berth.
Avoid the Blind Spot – Delivery and freight trucks have larger-than-average blind spots. In fact, they are so big that they are sometimes called “No Man’s Land.” Nobody wants to be caught in “No Man’s Land.” Driving in a truck’s blind spot can put you at risk of being hit or causing an accident, so be sure to avoid this area.
Slow Down Some – Driving a little slower around larger vehicles is a good idea, especially so in inclement weather. If it’s raining, sleeting, snowing, icing, or there is any other weather condition that wouldn’t make it on a Hawaiian postcard, reduce your speed. Inclement weather is a major cause of collisions. When it’s not nice out, go with the slower flow of traffic, don’t tailgate, and take your time getting to your destination. This way you’ll make it there safely.
FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer
At Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer 95% of our practice is devoted to representing victims of commercial truck accidents. Our expert attorneys are nationally recognized for their expertise in this complex area of the law. Every truck accident case needs a truck accident attorney.
While our focus area is in commercial vehicle accidents, our experience extends to all areas of personal injury litigation. For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, please call us at one of the below phone numbers or complete the form on this page and we will respond promptly.
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