In early January, we were called out to an accident that involved an 18-wheeler FedEx truck that had been turned over on its side. One of the first things that we noticed was that there were packages sprawled out all over the road and into the woods. An ambulance came to take care of the driver and get him the medical help that he needed. Further, while we were very worried about the condition of the driver, it was now our job to safely get the truck off of the road.
We brought our biggest trucks and trailers and were able to work efficiently to get the truck off of the road before it caused another accident. We towed the truck away and the Geyers Towing team picked up as many packages off of the road as we could find. We were also contacted by FedEx directly and asked if you could gather every package that was left on the side of the road, but unfortunately, there were several packages that we were unable to find.
After this incident, we thought about what would have happened if these were our packages that had been scattered on the road. In case you are curious too, we want to explain what happens to your packages if FedEx gets into an accident during the delivery process.
The FedEx Office Packaging Pledge
FedEx has always strived to give its customers the best service. However, sometimes, accidents do happen that are out of the delivery driver’s control. Luckily, FedEx has a protection plan in place to the product you and your products in case the delivery truck is involved in an accident that causes your packages to get lost or damaged.
All packages that are delivered by FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, and FedEx Air are backed by the FedEx Office Packaging Pledge. This means that any package that is valued at $100 or less and is lost or damaged during delivery from their office to you will be reimbursed for the full price that you paid for it, plus the cost of shipping. It is important to note, however, that this plan only covers packages that were packaged by FedEx themselves. This means that if you are the one sending the item, you need to take the item to FedEx and have them package the item for you in their packaging. If you bring in a package to be delivered that you have boxed up yourself and it was damaged during transit, FedEx may not be liable for reimbursement. FedEx also has options that allow you to insure your package for up to $1,000 for an extra fee.
If a FedEx truck is involved in an accident, FedEx will always send a team out and try to locate all of the packages. However, there are some instances in which recovering all packages is impossible. If FedEx is unable to get your package, you can file a claim online or call your local FedEx office.
Does UPS have a Package Protection Plan?
UPS has a similar protection program in place. If a UPS truck gets into an accident and your package is lost, you will probably receive a Damage/Loss notification letter in the mail along with instructions on how to proceed with your claim.
If you do not receive a letter but it has been more than 24 hours since your package was supposed to arrive, then you can either call or go to UPS’ website to file a claim. Once the claim has been filed, UPS will investigate the incident and will usually contact you within 10 days.
When filing a claim with both UPS and FedEx, be sure to have package information (number of items, tracking number, etc.), your name, and whether you were the shipper or the recipient.
What Happens If You Don’t Know the Value of Your Package?
It’s harder to make a claim for reimbursement if you don’t have a receipt and can’t prove how much the actual cost of the product would be. There may be a chance that the delivery company would reimburse the sender for the cost of shipment, but it is unlikely that you or the sender would be reimbursed for the price of the actual package.
So, unfortunately, if your friend or family member was to send you a package of homemade goodies, there is a good chance that neither you or your friend would ever be repaid for the loss of that item.
Also, it is important to note that even when you do have a receipt, it is the sender who is reimbursed for the shipment, unless you can prove that you have already paid for the package and the shipping cost. If the sender is the one who gets reimbursed, it will then be up to you to work out a deal with the sender to either get your item replaced or purchase a new one.
A Few Things to Keep In Mind When Waiting on a Package to be Delivered
Waiting on a package to arrive can be a bit frustrating, especially if it is something that is time-sensitive, like a birthday gift for someone. And just because you order a fast-shipping option doesn’t necessarily mean that your package will get there any sooner. It is best to always order your package a few weeks in advance to give yourself some time to recover the package or order something new in the case that your item is involved in an accident during transit.
Also, if your package is involved in an accident, try to remain calm and patient when dealing with the delivery company. It is important to remember that the people who are delivering your package are trying their best to do their jobs and make sure that the item gets to you in a timely fashion. It is estimated that over there are about 500,000 commercial truck accidents each year and around 700 truckers are injured in these accidents. Try to remember that the delivery drivers who are bringing you your packages are people too. You may not realize it, but their job is dangerous and they are putting their lives on the line to ensure that you are getting the items that you ordered.
Conclusion
At Geyers Towing, we have the experience, knowledge, and equipment to help out with some of the most complicated accidents. If you are involved in a large truck accident, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We strive to provide the best service and will work diligently to get your vehicle off of the road in a safe and timely manner.
