Florida Amazon Truck Accident Lawyers
Amazon Truck Accident Attorneys Fighting for Florida Victims
Amazon’s drivers often keep busy schedules under significant time pressure, and they have to navigate a myriad of routes and that makes accidents involving trucks relatively common. Our Amazon truck accident lawyers have deep experience with these types of accidents in Florida.
If you’ve been in a crash with an Amazon delivery vehicle (whether it’s a fleet van, a Flex driver’s car, or a “last‑mile” truck), you may be entitled to compensation. However, pursuing this compensation can get complicated quickly, especially if your crash was on the more serious end of the scale.
If an Amazon delivery truck accident has left you facing hospital bills, missed work, and pressure from insurers, call Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC at 833-LAW-LLSS to speak with a Florida Amazon truck accident attorney today.
Injured in an Amazon
Truck Accident?
The Impact of Amazon Truck Accidents
Truck accidents generally have the capacity to be much more serious than regular car accidents. Because of the size and weight of these vehicles, even moderate collisions can cause catastrophic harm. Road-going trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds (this is the limit set out by the US Department of Transportation).
We’ve dealt with many clients who have suffered life-changing injuries because of Amazon truck accidents, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal cord damage causing long-term or permanent disability.
- Severe or multiple bone fractures requiring lengthy recovery periods.
- Serious emotional trauma.
Who Is Liable for Amazon Truck Accident Damages?
When you get into a crash with a driver who’s working for a company at the time of the accident, it may be the company, rather than the driver, who’s liable for the resulting damage. This is because of a legal doctrine known as vicarious liability.
However, things get a little messy here when you’re dealing with Amazon. Not all Amazon drivers are company employees.
Amazon Flex Drivers and Liability Coverage
Amazon Flex drivers, for instance, deliver Amazon packages in their own vehicles, according to their own schedules. As such, they are considered self-employed contractors, not Amazon employees. However, Amazon does provide Flex drivers with supplemental liability insurance which provides extra coverage while they’re on duty; this may cover some of your damages if you get into an accident with a Flex driver.
Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) and Their Responsibility
Amazon also uses Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) for some transportation. These are third-party companies that handle shipping on Amazon’s behalf; so, if you get into an accident with a DSP driver, that company (rather than Amazon) will likely be liable for your damages.
When Amazon Itself May Be Liable
Florida’s dangerous instrumentality doctrine provides that the owner of a potentially dangerous tool (such as a motor vehicle) may be responsible for damage caused by that tool, even if they weren’t operating the tool at the time of the incident. So, when a third-party driver causes an accident while driving a truck owned by Amazon, Amazon may be liable for damages. Crucially, though, Amazon must actually own the vehicle in order for this to stick; this isn’t the case for Flex drivers or most DSP companies.
Immediate Steps to Take After an Amazon Truck Accident
Step 1: Get medical care right away
If you’re reading this in the hours or days after an Amazon truck accident, your first priority should be to seek medical care (if you haven’t already). Don’t just assume you’re fine, even if you feel OK. Some injuries (including serious head injuries) can take days or weeks to start showing symptoms.
Step 2: Collect evidence if possible
If you had the chance to collect evidence at the crash scene (such as photos and videos of the vehicles involved), your attorney will be able to use this to build a strong case in your favor. However, if you didn’t get this opportunity, don’t worry. There are other forms of evidence your lawyer will be able to use, such as dashcam footage and eyewitness reports.
Step 3: Write down driver details
If you remember the Amazon driver’s name and details, make a note of these so you don’t forget them.
Step 4: Limit communication with insurers
In the days following your accident, be mindful that an insurance company may try to contact you. If this happens, say as little as possible. You don’t owe any insurer an explanation of what happened. Bear in mind that anything you say might be used against you later.
Step 5: Contact an attorney quickly
Lastly, contact an attorney as soon as you can. The sooner you involve a lawyer in your case, the more likely a positive outcome will be.
Florida Laws That Affect Amazon Truck Accident Claims
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury sets out that most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the underlying accident. Realistically, though, you should start the process well ahead of this deadline anyway. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be for your lawyer to build a strong case on your behalf.
Another point of law you should be aware of is Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule. This provides that, if you were partly at fault for your crash, you can still recover damages as long as you weren’t more than 50% to blame. However, your damages entitlements will be reduced in line with your share of the responsibility.
How Attorneys Build Strong Amazon Truck Accident Cases
We know Amazon truck accident cases inside out. In order to maximize our clients’ chances of positive outcomes in these matters, there are a number of steps we always take:
- Evidence preservation: We send spoliation letters demanding storage of critical evidence (such as data from electronic logging devices and footage from dashcams), as this is often critical when it comes to proving fault.
- In‑depth investigation: We look at crash reports, maintenance logs, route assignments, hiring procedures, and training records. We also track down and interview eyewitnesses.
- Challenging Amazon’s defense: Amazon lawyers will often try to keep the company out of trouble by pushing the blame onto Flex drivers or DSPs. We have various strategies that can counter this tactic.
- Preparing for trial: Even though most Amazon truck accident cases settle out of court, we always approach cases as though we’re getting ready for trial. This helps us to build the strongest possible argument in your favor, and puts us in a better position to negotiate on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Am I eligible to file a claim if my injuries don’t seem “severe”? Yes. Even minor injuries can result in significant medical bills, and there’s always the possibility that a seemingly mild issue might get worse over time.
Should I talk to Amazon’s insurance company myself? No. As a general rule, you should let your attorney handle as much insurance company interaction as possible on your behalf.
How long do these cases usually take? It varies. Where liability is clear and injuries are relatively minor, settlements can be reached in a matter of months. Cases involving more serious injuries, complex liability disputes, or jury trials can take significantly longer.
Will I have to go to trial? The vast majority of Amazon truck accident cases (and personal injury disputes in general) settle out of court. However, we always prepare cases as if we’re going to trial, as this is the best way to negotiate from a position of strength.
Call a Florida Amazon Truck Accident Attorney Today
If an Amazon delivery truck crash left you facing medical bills, missed pay from time off, and pressure from insurers, call Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel at 833-LAW-LLSS to speak with a Florida Amazon truck accident attorney today. We have offices in Boca Raton, Bradenton, Broward County, Stuart, and West Palm Beach.
We fight to hold Amazon and its delivery contractors accountable, so you can focus on recovery.
