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Hit By FedEx Truck!

11K views 52 replies 21 participants last post by  Coyote_94YJ 
#1 ·
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:OK. so yesterday I was on my way to work (with my dog) and A FedEx Truck hit me, not I hit him or we hit each other, HE HIT ME! I am very pissed. I had turned onto the main road (and thankfully had not reached top speed of 45mph yet), when all of the sudden the F**KING fedex driver blew threw a stop sign and tried to cross the road. I saw him, slammed on my breaks, and swerved to try to avoid t-boning him and seriously injuring myself and my dog. HE hit the drivers side fender of my jeep with the front of his truck. It smashed in my fender so badly that it messed up the drivers side suspension and i think there is even going to be some damage to the suspension on the passengers side. The fender pushed the grill sideways into the other fender the radiator is completely destroyed, the hood is crushed and ripped off of the hinge. ahd he ripped the mirror off of the bracket and it flew 20' down the road. luckilly i had a witness from another vehicle that saw the whole thing and gave a statement to the police. the fedex driver told the police office that I F**KING HIT HIM!!! there is absolutely NO front end damage to my jeep (other than the damage from everything shifting sideways) so unless I drive sideways i could not have hit him. The fact of the matter is that i had the right of way. it was a main road and i did not have a stop sigh, he did, but he chose not to stop. anyway the fedex driver got a ticket for failure to stop, but the officer thinks the driver will fight it. fortunately the driver probably won't win because there was an eyewitness and the damage speaks for itself. oh, btw the damage on his truck is very minimal and is ONLY on the front end, further proving he hit me. the problem now is that i am kind of with out a reliable vehicle, probabl yofr at least a month. I have a driveable CJ7 but it is 26 years old and has a lot of miles, plus it is not built to be a daily driver. so i sit here now with my neck hurting, semi vehicleless, 3 weeks before christmas. Yes i have insurance, full coverage (except for rental car). Pretty much fedex is going to have to take care of this b/c he was a careless driver and now my jeep is messed up. Unfortunately i think we are going to have to go to court, which i dont want. As of right now i am waiting ot hear if it is considered totalled or not. It is a 2005 X 4.0 Auto with 60,192 Miles on it as of collision. Cost including tax and interest is about $29,000 (ball parking high). I have paid $11,955.20 as of November 27th, trade in value is about $9500 in good condition. I'm trying to figure out if they are going to toatl it or not. It is going to need at least a new radiator, 2 new fenders, a new hood, new cowell, drivers side suspension, plus what ever was destroyed under the hood. If it is fixed i run the risk of problems down the road and if i ever go to sell it or trade it in this accident will loom over my head and i wont be able to get a fair price for it. If it is deemed totalled the insurance company is not going to give me back what is owedon the vehicle so i will have to fight fedex for it. also i love the tj and dont really want to have to get a new JK.

has any one been through this? what did you do or what was the outcome? any opinions, input, suggestions, stories, etc. would be helpful and grately appreciated.

:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
 
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#2 ·
I swear it wasn't me...;)

Get a good lawyer, your insurance will pay for it and recoup the costs from the settlement. You should come out of this pretty well off and the driver will get what he deserves.
I used to investigate accidents for a trucking company, they'll be able to tell what happened from the damage fairly easily and the driver, if not absolutely honest with the company investigators, will be out of a job and find it difficult to get another one.
FedEx doesn't screw around, they're the most anal-retentive bunch of bastages I've ever worked for when it comes to safety issues.

Good luck.
 
#3 ·
WOW!!!! That really sucks. So sorry to hear about your jeep. At least your OK. I thought I was having a bad day having to walk 4.5 miles to get home because I borked mine but sounds like you got it real bad.

I would try and get as much as you can out of FedEx. Chances are insurance isn't going to pay out a fair amount and/or in a timely manner. Which is ridiculous because if you miss an insurance payment they are breathing down you neck.

Is the frame bent?
 
#14 ·
WOW!!!! That really sucks. So sorry to hear about your jeep. At least your OK. I thought I was having a bad day having to walk 4.5 miles to get home because I borked mine but sounds like you got it real bad.

I would try and get as much as you can out of FedEx. Chances are insurance isn't going to pay out a fair amount and/or in a timely manner. Which is ridiculous because if you miss an insurance payment they are breathing down you neck.

Is the frame bent?
I don't know coyote, that sounds pretty bad and sucky too. i'm thinking you might have had it a little worse. btw i'm not sure if the frame is bent yet, i am going to check that tomorrow. if it is i'n sure the jeep is going to be deemed totalled.

Make sure you go get a medical exam. I hate to be one of those people, but neck injuries can loom over you for years and it sounds like he hit you damned hard. I'd be surprised if the frame isn't bent. Skeet's right. I'd get a lawyer if the FedEx driver is going to be douchie about the whole thing.

Sorry girl. This sucks.
i'm feeling fine today. i'm only 23 so i'm still resilliant, right?:D

Sux.

Just tell them your settlement "Absolutely has to be there overnight"!!!
ya right! i can barely get packages that i am paying for to be delivered overnight. maybe i'll tell them to ship it UPS.

No experience with FedEx, but a friend of mine got hit by a USPS truck. He Civic was totaled, hit in the rear end. We had to use bungee cords to hold the bumper on and the trunk down. It took USPS so long to pay out (I guess the government isn't required to have insurance, only us) she ended up buying the civic back from the insurance company to drive until she got the settlement check. She made sure they paid her extra for buying the car to. I think all-in-all it took 8 months or longer for her lawyer to get USPS to send out the settlement, and they hit her in the rear...

EDIT: By the way, I will have to look in the crash book in Monday, but I can say that Jeep will probably be totaled. Suggested retail is ~12500 (on paper anyway) and suggested trade is ~8500 (Again, on paper). So, the Insurance is going to say after about $4000-$6000 is it totaled. Just doing rough estimates in my head, with no frame damage/windshield frame damage/roll cage damage (You would be suprised how energy is transferred through the vehicle in a crash, and what gets buckled) your looking at around $3-3500 just for the things you KNOW are messed up. An accident that bad, that buckled the cowl (which is bolted to your firewall..) you are more than likely going to have other things to replace. Say the Core support buckled (which we can almost garuntee with the cowl/grill and radiator) that adds probably another $350-400 with parts and labor. Than you have labor time for pulling the firewall back out, bumper brackets, maybe even a bumper, R&I and straightening the windshield frame which probably buckled etc. You get up near $4000-5000 REAL quick with a heavy side impact in the front end.

Monday I will take a gander a crash book, do some quick math, and give you a quick estimate. Just keep in mind I can't see the jeep, so its going to be a complete guess. You will more than likely have a number/answer by Monday night when I can post my figures anyway. For a crash like that, I would honestly be hoping for it to be totaled. Too many things that can get buckled/bent and give you troubles down the road.
thanks. i really appreciate that, this is all new to me so i am greatful for all of your help.

Sorry about the bad deal you got. Glad your ok. Please get checked out at a hospital. Small injuries like to pop up later in life. I still have a small piece of glass in my shoulder from being in a passager in a roll over.

Not if but when, a fedex rep gives you a call get their name/position/and number and report it to your insurance or lawyer. Don't give fedex any information, they can use little stupid things against you. And they need to communicate through your insurance company. <--- I lost a case and had to pay for my own truck along time ago buy talking to the other insurance company.
the police office told me that the driver said that fedex wants my a lot of personal information from me. the officer said that i an NOT obligated to give them anything at all, everything will be on the accident report that they are entitled too. i was still flusterd from the crash, so i aske if he thought i should give it to them, and he said, "i cannot really advise you on that. all i can say is you are NOT obligated to give them any info." My husband said if they want any info at all they can contact our lawyer. btw thank for the info on the name/title/position thing i probably wouldn't have thought to ask that.
 
#4 ·
Make sure you go get a medical exam. I hate to be one of those people, but neck injuries can loom over you for years and it sounds like he hit you damned hard. I'd be surprised if the frame isn't bent. Skeet's right. I'd get a lawyer if the FedEx driver is going to be douchie about the whole thing.

Sorry girl. This sucks.
 
#7 · (Edited)
No experience with FedEx, but a friend of mine got hit by a USPS truck. He Civic was totaled, hit in the rear end. We had to use bungee cords to hold the bumper on and the trunk down. It took USPS so long to pay out (I guess the government isn't required to have insurance, only us) she ended up buying the civic back from the insurance company to drive until she got the settlement check. She made sure they paid her extra for buying the car to. I think all-in-all it took 8 months or longer for her lawyer to get USPS to send out the settlement, and they hit her in the rear...

EDIT: By the way, I will have to look in the crash book in Monday, but I can say that Jeep will probably be totaled. Suggested retail is ~12500 (on paper anyway) and suggested trade is ~8500 (Again, on paper). So, the Insurance is going to say after about $4000-$6000 is it totaled. Just doing rough estimates in my head, with no frame damage/windshield frame damage/roll cage damage (You would be suprised how energy is transferred through the vehicle in a crash, and what gets buckled) your looking at around $3-3500 just for the things you KNOW are messed up. An accident that bad, that buckled the cowl (which is bolted to your firewall..) you are more than likely going to have other things to replace. Say the Core support buckled (which we can almost garuntee with the cowl/grill and radiator) that adds probably another $350-400 with parts and labor. Than you have labor time for pulling the firewall back out, bumper brackets, maybe even a bumper, R&I and straightening the windshield frame which probably buckled etc. You get up near $4000-5000 REAL quick with a heavy side impact in the front end.

Monday I will take a gander a crash book, do some quick math, and give you a quick estimate. Just keep in mind I can't see the jeep, so its going to be a complete guess. You will more than likely have a number/answer by Monday night when I can post my figures anyway. For a crash like that, I would honestly be hoping for it to be totaled. Too many things that can get buckled/bent and give you troubles down the road.
 
#8 ·
Work with your insurance on everything. They will even provide you with legal assistance on your behalf. Because they aren't going to want to pay anything if they don't have to. :D Plus you don't want it to have to be a claim on your collision insurance so do everything possible to make sure that FedEx pays. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't contact you right away to try and just settle with you on the damages.
 
#9 ·
True. And if the Fedex guy gives you enough trouble to where you have to go to court, don't forget about your neck. It sounds like a low way to go but it could turn into something more serious down the line and you only have 30 days to claim injuries.

Sorry to hear about the Jeep, I'm just glad you and your dog are OK.
 
#10 ·
Sorry about the bad deal you got. Glad your ok. Please get checked out at a hospital. Small injuries like to pop up later in life. I still have a small piece of glass in my shoulder from being in a passager in a roll over.

Not if but when, a fedex rep gives you a call get their name/position/and number and report it to your insurance or lawyer. Don't give fedex any information, they can use little stupid things against you. And they need to communicate through your insurance company. <--- I lost a case and had to pay for my own truck along time ago buy talking to the other insurance company.
 
#12 ·
By the way, I also agree with everyone about having your self checked out at the local hospital. Most vehicles, and certainly not TJs, are not designed to protect the driver/passenger from much other than being crushed in a side impact. What I mean by that, is that the safety features (Airbags, Seatbelts) are designed to keep you from leaving the seat, and keep you from hitting the dash board. In a front/rear impact, the headrest on the seat can help keep your head from moving too far back, and the seatbelt/airbag should keep it from going too far forward. In a side impact, there isn't much that prevents your neck from being over extended. Also, there aren't anywhere near as many crush zones to absorb the impact from the side, so your body takes much more force than you would in a front/rear collision.

You already said you wore a little sore and what not. Please get yourself checked out.
 
#13 ·
thanks everyone for your concern and your help, i really appreciate it. the pics that i have were take by my husbands cell phone so they are not great but i'll post them any way. i am going to get closer pics of the damage tomorrow when i go to the garage where it is.

Notice the puddle of jeep blood


I also notice a severe lack of front end "smashage" which would lead me (a lay-person) believe that i did not hit him


My skid marks which start at the end of the white line and end at my rear tire.


The bastards truck w/o much damage!!
 
#15 ·
Looking at those pics, your Jeep will more than likely not be totaled, and it will all be okay in the end. I was imagining much worse. Unless there is some hidden frame damage or something, all should be well. It doesn't look like a big deal repair wise either, some pretty common and easy repairs. I wouldn't worry about future problems or anything. Just make sure the collision center checks for suspension damage real good, including bent suspension brackets, and test drives the jeep pretty far before they give it back. Looks like you got hit pretty much on the LF wheel.
 
#16 ·
the suspension is pretty ugly and i didn't get to look under the hood to see if anything was smashed or mangled. i dont think the frame is bent. maybe i just think it is worse than it is. i dunno. i hit a deer in january with my dads truck and it did over $4000 of damage to his truck, but it was still drivable and it didn't look as bad as my jeep does. i am still sooooooo pissed that i was hit and now i have to wait weeks for a vehicle.
 
#17 ·
oh and i forgot to mention in my last post that the fedex truck (same truck and driver) almost caused another accident. for the last 2 weeks fedex has been delivering on saturdays to beat the christmas surge. my husband an i were driving home from christmas shopping and we saw the fedex truck stopped on the side of the road. he got back in the truck and pulled out in front of a pick up truck. the guy in the pickup had to swerve out of the way into the other lane. luckilly there was no oncoming traffic to hit or there would have been a head on at 45 MPH. i could not believe that this asshole still has no regard for other drivers after yesterday. and i am positive it was him too. it was the same truck and when he stopped at another house we saw it was the same driver. that pissed me off even more. when we got home my husband called fedex and filed a complaint. he told them, "the driver that delivers to my area almost caused an accident today and i know for a fact that he hit a vehicle yesterday b/c i saw it happen." so now there is documentation and a formal complaint against this driver. i think this guy is out to kill someone.
 
#26 ·
That really stinks that happened to you. Good luck with your claim. If I remember correctly, Jersey gives you 24 hrs. to seek medical attention following an accident. Otherwise, you are considered OK and lose the right to sue under your car insurance. Assuming you signed the tort threshold option (which most people do to lower the liability insurance premiums by 60%), you would also need to accrue more than $1200 in medical bills to be considered for compensatory damages (pain and suffering).

Otherwise, it's a pretty solid case you have against Fed Ex. especialy since the other driver was cited. Basically, it will be limited to the damages on your Jeep. I would secure 2 or 3 estimates for the damages + cost of a rental. You will most likley have to pay for an estimate but will be reimbursed through the process.

Next time you whacked, don't hesitate to go to the emergency room for a check up.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
#30 ·
ok so here's the update. i saw my jeep yesterday and it is not as bad as i, and the tow truck guy, thought. the suspension is fine, although it does need the new grille, fenders, cowel, hood, radiator, etc. I think the intense rage i was feeling clouded my judgement on the damage. The collision center has to check to make sure the axle is ok b/c after the guy hit my fender he made contact with the tire. it still sucks b/c i won't have my jeep for a few weeks and i still have to pay the $1000 deductible (it will be reembursed but not for a while).
 
#31 ·
so, in a previous post i mentioned that the day after the accident we saw the driver almost cause another accident. well, after that my husband called and made a formal complaint to fedex about the driver. fedex told us that this driver does not work directly for fedex. he works for an outside contractor that delivers for fedex but it is still under the fedex umbrella. the fedex rep did assure me that the complaint is formally documented and that it will be given directly to the supervisor of the outside contractor. he also said that fedex is aware of the accident and that is does not look good for the driver that there is a formal complaint and that he almost caused another accident. actuall the fedex rep did not say "caused an accident" he said "was in another accident", i guess that they flat out refuse to admit any fault at all.
 
#35 ·
ya, i probably would have too, but the only thing the guy said to me was "I'm ok, are you ok." I said "ya" in a not so happy way and then the guy went and stayed in his truck for the rest of the time. What i should have said is"Ya, you rotten b@st@rd, i'm gunna ram all of those oh so important packages so far down your throat you will be sh!tt!ng christmas presents for the next year." can you tell i'm still a little angry?
 
#45 ·
ya, i probably would have too, but the only thing the guy said to me was "I'm ok, are you ok." I said "ya" in a not so happy way and then the guy went and stayed in his truck for the rest of the time.
We are given considerable training on how to handle the aftermath of an accident. The driver did what he was told to do by the insurance company. If there are no injuries and no risk of further damage then we are to limit contact with the other parties in the accident. We can be terminated for not following those rules.
You are not dealing with FedEx at this point, you are dealing with the insurance company.

What i should have said is"Ya, you rotten b@st@rd, i'm gunna ram all of those oh so important packages so far down your throat you will be sh!tt!ng christmas presents for the next year." can you tell i'm still a little angry?
No, you did the right thing by keeping your cool.
Getting upset may make you feel better but it will not help your case at all.
The driver did not want to cause an accident, he did not want to hurt you. he screwed up and believe, me he's going to pay for it for the rest of his career.


BTW, UPS does not have any better drivers than FedEx.
I've worked with them as well.
 
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