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Truck Crash Lawsuit: FedEx Settles Nine Days Into Trial
Truck crash lawsuit: FedEx settled nine days into trial over a fatal 2022 icy-road crash on I-84 in Oregon. Plaintiffs sought $81 million. Lessons for you.
Questions about how this affects your trucks? Talk to a licensed agent who ran his own authority.
What happened
A big truck crash lawsuit ended with a deal in the middle of the trial. Nine days into trial, FedEx and the family's side reached a settlement. The terms are sealed, so the amount is not public. Land Line reported it on October 22.
The crash happened in December 2022 on Interstate 84 near Troutdale, Oregon. It was about 5 a.m. and the road was icy. A man had pulled over to help another driver. A FedEx truck drifted into him, and he died.
The truck driver was going 65 mph in a 60 mph zone. He was cited for careless driving.
The lawsuit said the driver was not trained or experienced enough for bad weather. It also said the company overworked drivers without enough rest and did not train them well. The plaintiffs asked for $81 million.
FedEx first denied it was at fault. It proposed a cap of $3 million on damages. Its lawyers used dash cam video. They argued that icy roads with no travel restrictions showed it was safe to drive.
What it means for owner-operators
This is a lesson for every carrier, big or small. In court, the speed limit is not the safe speed. On ice, a jury can decide that the posted limit was too fast.
Training and rest become the case. Lawyers look at logs, hours and training records. If your records are missing, it is your word against theirs.
The money can be huge. Plaintiffs here asked for $81 million. A typical commercial auto liability policy is often around $1 million. A small carrier cannot pay the gap out of pocket.
Even a company with dash cam video chose to settle. Juries are hard to predict.
What to do next
- Drive for the road, not the sign. On ice, slow down well below the limit, or park.
- Move over and slow down for anyone stopped on the shoulder.
- Keep clean records. Logs, rest breaks, training and inspections. Write it down and keep it.
- Use a dash cam. Video can show what really happened.
- Review your liability limits. Ask your agent if your limits fit the loads and lanes you run. Read our guide on trucking insurance coverage.
Want to review your liability coverage? Call or text TCZ Insurance Agency at 956-526-6727.
Original report
Written by TCZ Insurance Agency in our own words. Read the original for the full story.