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A FedEx truck collision is not like a typical car accident. The size of the vehicle, the federal regulations involved, and the corporate resources behind FedEx make these cases far more complicated than a standard two-car crash. If you or someone you love was hit by a FedEx truck near McKinney, Denton, or anywhere along the I-35 corridor, you need personal injury lawyers who understand how to build a case against a large commercial carrier, not just an individual driver. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we represent accident victims across the North Texas area from our office at 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
- Why FedEx Truck Accidents in McKinney Are So Dangerous
- Federal Rules That Govern FedEx Drivers and How Violations Create Liability
- Who Can Be Held Liable After a FedEx Truck Accident in McKinney
- How to Protect Your Claim After a McKinney FedEx Truck Accident
- What Damages You Can Recover in a FedEx Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas
- FAQs About McKinney FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer
Why FedEx Truck Accidents in McKinney Are So Dangerous
FedEx trucks are not ordinary delivery vans. Many of them are large commercial vehicles that, when fully loaded, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A standard passenger car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. That weight difference alone explains why these collisions cause such severe injuries.
According to FMCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System data, there were 18,824 reportable commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas in 2025, causing 586 fatalities and 11,589 injuries. Those numbers represent real people, many of them on the same roads that run through Collin County and the greater Denton area every single day.
Among the carriers most frequently listed in Texas commercial vehicle crashes, FedEx ranked second overall, with 119 commercial vehicles involved in crashes in 2025. That is not a coincidence. It reflects the sheer volume of FedEx trucks on roads like US-75, the Sam Rayburn Tollway, and the stretch of I-35 that runs between Denton and McKinney.
The consequences of these crashes go beyond broken bones. Victims often face traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and long-term disability. When a crash happens near a busy area like the McKinney Town Center or along the State Highway 121 corridor, the impact on a family can be permanent. You deserve to know your legal options before you speak with any insurance adjuster.
Texas holds the unfortunate distinction of leading all U.S. states in truck accident deaths, recording 645 deaths from large truck crashes in 2024 according to the National Safety Council’s analysis of NHTSA data. That context matters when you are deciding whether to pursue a claim.
Federal Rules That Govern FedEx Drivers and How Violations Create Liability
FedEx drivers operating commercial motor vehicles must follow federal Hours of Service regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, known as the FMCSA. These rules set hard limits on how long a driver can be behind the wheel before taking mandatory rest.
A truck driver in the U.S. can drive up to 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty window after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty, under the federal Hours of Service limits enforced by the FMCSA. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving. Weekly limits cap driving at 60 hours over 7 days or 70 hours over 8 days, with a 34-hour restart required to reset the cycle.
Under HOS regulations, most commercial drivers must use an Electronic Logging Device, or ELD, to automatically record driving time, duty status, and rest periods. The ELD requirement is designed to ensure accurate tracking of compliance with federal driving limits. When a FedEx driver violates these rules, that ELD data becomes critical evidence in your case.
A review of FMCSA Safety Measurement System data covering the 24-month period ending December 2025 documented thousands of fatigue-related violations among five of the nation’s largest trucking companies, including FedEx. A violation of HOS rules does not automatically prove fault in a crash, but it is powerful evidence that the driver or the company failed to follow federal safety standards.
Beyond hours of service, FedEx is also subject to FMCSA rules on vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and driver qualification. When any of those rules are broken and a crash follows, the company can be held liable under Texas negligence law. Our attorneys know how to pull FMCSA safety records and use them to support your claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a FedEx Truck Accident in McKinney
Liability in a FedEx truck accident is rarely limited to just the driver. Texas law allows injured victims to pursue claims against multiple parties, and identifying all of them is one of the most important steps in maximizing your recovery.
FedEx itself can be held liable as the employer of the driver under a legal theory called respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of employees committed within the scope of their employment. If the driver was on a delivery route when the crash occurred, that generally qualifies.
The situation becomes more complex when FedEx uses independent contractors rather than direct employees. FedEx’s use of independent contractors can make its liability situation complicated, because the company may attempt to avoid liability when contractors are responsible for accidents. Texas courts, however, look at the actual level of control FedEx exercises over those drivers, not just the label on the contract. If FedEx sets the route, the schedule, and the delivery quotas, a court may still find the company liable.
Other potentially liable parties include the company responsible for maintaining the truck, any third party that loaded cargo improperly, and even a manufacturer if a defective part contributed to the crash. Think about a brake failure on a heavily loaded FedEx vehicle coming down the grade near Lake Lewisville or merging onto I-35E. Multiple parties could share responsibility for that outcome.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. This means you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, so building a strong case from the start matters.
How to Protect Your Claim After a McKinney FedEx Truck Accident
The steps you take in the days immediately after a FedEx truck accident directly affect the strength of your legal claim. Evidence disappears fast. FedEx has a legal team and an insurance company working on their side from the moment the crash is reported.
First, get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, do not show obvious symptoms immediately. A medical record created on the day of the crash establishes a clear connection between the accident and your injuries.
Second, call the police. A crash report is a foundational piece of evidence in any personal injury case. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to request a copy of the official crash report (also called a CR-3 form) as a person directly involved in the accident. That report documents the scene, identifies witnesses, and records the officer’s initial observations about fault.
Third, preserve everything. Photographs of the vehicles, the road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries are all valuable. Do not post anything about the accident on social media. Do not give a recorded statement to FedEx’s insurance adjuster without speaking to an attorney first. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used against you.
Fourth, contact a lawyer quickly. Truck wreck cases often involve federal and state safety rules, commercial driver records, maintenance files, black box data, cargo records, and company policies, and these cases usually require fast action to preserve evidence before it is lost or destroyed. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can send a legal hold letter to FedEx demanding that all relevant records be preserved. Call (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible.
What Damages You Can Recover in a FedEx Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas
Texas law allows injured victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses after a commercial truck accident. Understanding what you can claim helps you evaluate any settlement offer FedEx’s insurer puts on the table.
Economic damages are the financial losses you can document with bills and records. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages during your recovery, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. A serious crash near McKinney’s Central Expressway corridor could mean months of treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up care.
Non-economic damages cover the human cost of your injuries: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and damage to your personal relationships. Texas does not cap non-economic damages in standard personal injury cases involving commercial trucks, which means there is no artificial limit on what a jury can award for these losses.
In cases where the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless, Texas law also permits punitive damages, formally called exemplary damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003. If FedEx knowingly allowed a fatigued driver to continue operating or ignored documented safety violations, that conduct could support a punitive damages claim.
If a loved one was killed in a FedEx truck crash, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002 creates a wrongful death cause of action. This statute allows surviving family members, including spouses, children, and parents, to recover damages for their own losses resulting from the death. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, since facts and applicable law differ. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles each case individually and will give you an honest evaluation of what your claim may be worth.
FAQs About McKinney FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer
How long do I have to file a FedEx truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law generally gives injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to sue entirely. Some situations, such as claims involving government entities or injuries to minors, may involve different timelines. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected before any deadline passes.
Can I sue FedEx directly if the driver was an independent contractor?
Possibly, yes. Texas courts look beyond the label of “independent contractor” and examine how much control FedEx actually exercised over the driver’s work. If FedEx controlled the driver’s schedule, route, delivery quotas, or equipment, a court may still hold FedEx liable for the driver’s negligence. Our attorneys will investigate the full employment relationship before determining the best legal strategy for your claim.
What evidence is most important in a FedEx truck accident case?
Key evidence includes the official Texas crash report (CR-3 form), the truck’s Electronic Logging Device data showing driver hours, FedEx’s maintenance and inspection records, cargo loading documents, the truck’s black box (also called an event data recorder), witness statements, and any available surveillance or dashcam footage. FMCSA safety records for the specific FedEx carrier involved can also reveal a history of violations that strengthens your case. Acting quickly matters because some of this data is overwritten or deleted within days of a crash.
Does it cost anything to hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys for a FedEx truck accident case?
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket expenses to get started. You can call (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case and learn your options without any obligation.
What if FedEx’s insurance company contacts me right after the accident?
Do not give a recorded statement to FedEx’s insurer without first speaking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters representing FedEx are focused on limiting the company’s financial exposure, not on making sure you receive fair compensation. Anything you say, even something that seems harmless, can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Politely decline to give a statement and call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before you speak with anyone from the insurance company.
