Tractor-trailer stopped beside a damaged car on a Florida interstate after a truck crash, for illustrative purposes only

Hit by a FedEx Freight Truck in Florida? Why the 2026 Spin-Off Matters for Your Claim

Table of Contents

What You Need to Know

  • FedEx Freight became its own public company on June 1, 2026. FedEx Corp no longer owns most of it.
  • The trucks still say “FedEx Freight” because the company licenses the name. The logo alone does not tell you who is responsible.
  • The trucking company is FedEx Freight, Inc., USDOT number 239039. That number helps identify the right carrier and its records.
  • Most Florida injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years under Florida Statute 95.11.
  • Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything before you understand who you are dealing with.

Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm at 833-4 BAD DAY.

A FedEx Freight truck accident in Florida can turn your life upside down in seconds. These are large tractor-trailers, and freight trucks travel I-4, I-75, and I-275 through Tampa every day. When one hits you, the injuries are often serious, and the questions start fast.

One question just got harder: who are you actually up against? On June 1, 2026, FedEx Freight split off from FedEx Corp and became a separate public company. The trucks look the same. The legal picture behind them changed.

This guide explains what the spin-off means for injured people in Tampa and across Florida. You will learn who runs these trucks now, why the crash date matters, what evidence to protect, and which Florida deadlines apply.

What changed when FedEx Freight split from FedEx in 2026?

On June 1, 2026, FedEx Corp spun off FedEx Freight into its own public company, FedEx Freight Holding Company. FedEx handed 80.1% of the shares to its stockholders and kept 19.9%. FedEx Freight, Inc., the company that runs the trucks, now sits under that new parent instead of FedEx Corp.

FedEx Freight hauls less-than-truckload freight. That means large trucks carrying shipments from many customers at once. FedEx announced the spin-off the day it took effect.

The trucks did not get new names. Under a trademark license, FedEx Freight can keep using the “FedEx Freight” name for five years, with automatic one-year renewals for up to five more years unless either company opts out. So a truck with a FedEx logo no longer proves FedEx Corp is behind it.

Who is responsible after a FedEx Freight truck accident in Florida?

Responsibility usually starts with the driver and the trucking company that operated the truck. For most FedEx Freight trucks, that company is FedEx Freight, Inc. Other parties may share fault, such as a maintenance company, a parts maker, or another driver. The facts of the crash decide who belongs in the claim.

Parties a lawyer may look at include:

Possible partyWhy they may matter
The truck driverSpeeding, distraction, fatigue, or an unsafe lane change
FedEx Freight, Inc.The motor carrier that ran the truck and hired, trained, and supervised the driver
A maintenance or repair companyBad brakes, tires, or lights
A parts or truck manufacturerA defect that caused or worsened the crash
Another driverShared fault in a multi-vehicle crash

A FedEx name on the trailer is a starting point, not an answer. A Tampa truck accident lawyer can confirm the carrier, its insurance, and any other parties that may share fault.

⚠️ Warning: Florida’s two-year deadline. Under Florida Statute 95.11(5)(a), most negligence lawsuits must be filed within two years. Wrongful death lawsuits also have a two-year limit under 95.11(5)(e), counted from the date of death. Truck records can disappear long before that, so act early.

Does it matter if the crash happened before or after June 1, 2026?

Yes, the crash date can matter. FedEx and FedEx Freight signed a separation agreement that divides responsibility between the two companies. Under that agreement, FedEx Corp may be responsible for some claims from crashes before June 1, 2026. Crashes after that date involve a FedEx Freight that FedEx Corp generally no longer controls.

That agreement is a contract between the two companies. It does not decide your claim by itself. The right party to name, and the insurance that applies, depends on the crash date and the facts. An attorney should review it for your situation.

  • Crash before June 1, 2026: FedEx Corp may be responsible for some claims, depending on the facts. The trucking company you name is usually still FedEx Freight, Inc.
  • Crash on or after June 1, 2026: The claim generally runs through FedEx Freight, Inc. and its insurers.
  • Not sure of the exact date or time? Your crash report will show it.

How can you tell which FedEx company owned the truck that hit you?

Check the truck’s door for the company name and USDOT number. FedEx Freight, Inc. uses USDOT number 239039. FedEx Freight runs large freight trucks. FedEx package vans and delivery trucks belong to other FedEx companies with different setups. The USDOT number and crash report help pin down the right one.

Under 49 C.F.R. 390.21T, trucking companies must display their name and USDOT number on both sides of the truck, readable from 50 feet away. The FMCSA carrier record for USDOT 239039 lists FedEx Freight, Inc. of Harrison, Arkansas, as an interstate carrier.

If you can do so safely at the scene, take photos of:

  • Both sides of the truck cab, including any USDOT number
  • The trailer, its number, and its license plate
  • The driver’s name and company information
  • Damage to every vehicle and the road around you

💡 Did You Know? In 2023, 5,472 people were killed in U.S. crashes involving large trucks, and 70% of them were in other vehicles. An estimated 153,452 people were injured. These are national figures from NHTSA’s Large Trucks: 2023 Data.

What evidence matters after a FedEx Freight truck crash?

The most useful evidence includes the crash report, photos, witness names, medical records, and the trucking company’s own records. Those records can show driver hours, training, inspections, maintenance, and past crashes. The company controls much of this evidence, so a preservation letter should go out quickly.

Trucks that travel between states in Florida must follow federal safety rules. Florida Statute 316.302(1)(a) applies federal rules on drivers, hours of service, inspections, and maintenance to these trucks. Breaking those rules can help show what went wrong.

Records that often matter in a trucking case:

  • Accident register: Carriers must keep a list of their crashes for three years under 49 C.F.R. 390.15.
  • Hours-of-service logs: These show how long the driver was on duty.
  • Inspection and maintenance files: These can reveal worn brakes or tires.
  • Driver qualification file: This shows the driver’s training, license, and history.
  • Electronic data: Truck systems can record speed and braking before impact.
  • Insurance information: Federal rules require at least $750,000 in coverage for for-hire carriers hauling non-hazardous freight between states in trucks of 10,001 pounds or more under 49 C.F.R. 387.9. That is a legal minimum, not the actual coverage on any truck.

How does Florida law affect your FedEx Freight injury claim?

Florida law shapes who pays first and how fault is shared. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage usually pays first for some medical bills and lost wages. Serious injuries may support a claim against the trucking company. Your recovery can shrink if an insurer convinces a jury you share the blame.

Under Florida Statute 627.736(1), PIP covers up to $10,000 in medical and disability benefits. To use PIP, you must get medical treatment within 14 days of the crash. Without an emergency medical condition, PIP reimbursement for that care is limited to $2,500.

PIP rarely covers the full cost of a serious truck crash. Surgery, long-term care, lost earning ability, and pain and suffering may need to come from the at-fault parties.

🛡️ Your Rights Under Florida Law: Florida’s comparative fault rule. Under Florida Statute 768.81, each party pays based on its share of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault for your own injuries, you cannot recover damages. This bar does not apply to medical negligence claims.

How The Reyes Firm Handles Your FedEx Freight Truck Accident Case

A crash with a FedEx Freight truck puts you up against a large carrier, its insurers, and now a new corporate structure. You should not have to sort that out while you are hurt. The Reyes Firm moves fast to protect the evidence, identify the right companies, and explain your options in plain English.

The Reyes Firm is at 4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33614. Call 833-4 BAD DAY. We serve Tampa and the South Shore communities. We are proud to be serving Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Plant City, and communities across Hillsborough County.

When we take a FedEx Freight truck accident case, we typically:

  • Send preservation letters so driver logs, inspection files, and truck data are saved
  • Confirm the carrier through its USDOT number and the crash report
  • Check the crash date against the June 1, 2026 spin-off and identify which companies and insurers may be involved
  • Review federal trucking rules for hours, driver qualification, inspections, and maintenance
  • Work with medical providers and experts to document your injuries and future care
  • Handle insurance calls so you do not face adjusters alone
  • Prepare every case as if it will go to trial

No lawyer can promise an outcome. We can promise focus, speed, and serious preparation for your case in Tampa or anywhere in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions About FedEx Freight Truck Accidents

Is FedEx Freight still part of FedEx?

Not in the same way. Since June 1, 2026, FedEx Freight has been its own public company, and FedEx kept a 19.9% stake. The trucks still use the FedEx Freight name under a license.

Can I sue FedEx if a FedEx Freight truck hit me in Tampa?

You may have a claim against FedEx Freight, Inc., the driver, or other parties who caused the crash. If the crash happened before June 1, 2026, FedEx Corp may also be responsible for some claims under the companies’ separation agreement. A lawyer can confirm the right companies from the crash report and USDOT number.

How do I know the truck was a FedEx Freight truck?

Look for the company name and USDOT number on the truck’s door. FedEx Freight, Inc. uses USDOT 239039. Your crash report should also list the carrier.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Florida?

Most Florida negligence lawsuits must be filed within two years under Florida Statute 95.11(5)(a). Wrongful death claims also have a two-year limit. Waiting can let trucking records disappear, so get help early.

Does my PIP insurance cover a crash with a FedEx Freight truck?

Your PIP coverage usually pays first, up to $10,000, if you get treatment within 14 days. Serious injuries often cost far more. Those losses may be claimed from the at-fault parties.

What if the trucking company says I caused the crash?

Do not argue at the scene or admit fault. Florida uses comparative fault under Florida Statute 768.81, and you cannot recover if you are found more than 50% at fault. Photos, witnesses, and truck data can show what really happened.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?

You are not required to give the other side a recorded statement. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. Talk to a lawyer first.

Author Bio
Florida Bar-admitted personal injury attorney Edward Reyes

Edward Reyes, Esq., is a Florida Bar-admitted personal injury attorney and the founder of The Reyes Firm in Tampa, Florida. He represents injured people and families in serious personal injury cases, including truck accidents, commercial vehicle crashes, and catastrophic injury claims. The Reyes Firm serves Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Plant City, and communities across Hillsborough County.

Read more about Edward Reyes.

How Can The Reyes Firm Help You?

If you’ve had a bad day — a car accident, a slip and fall, a trucking crash, or any injury that wasn’t your fault — The Reyes Firm is in your corner. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

You shouldn’t have to fight the insurance companies alone. Let us fight for you.

📍 Address: 4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33614

📞 Phone: 833-4 BAD DAY

🌐 Website: Schedule your free consultation today at thereyesfirm.com

Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm. We’ll handle the rest.

This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with The Reyes Firm. Every case is different. Speak with a licensed Florida personal injury attorney about your specific situation.

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