Amazon operates a vast and constantly changing fleet of delivery vehicles, which includes trucks of various sizes and types. This fleet consists of delivery vans, tractor-trailers, and other vehicles used for transporting packages to customers. The most recent number tells us there are about 40,000 Amazon-branded delivery trucks and another 30,000 Amazon vans on the roadways today, not a small portion of which are here in the Miami area. All of these vehicles mean getting into an accident with one is not unheard of.
This is a problem, because these trucks are often quite large. Amazon delivery trucks vary widely in size, but they are always larger than typical passenger cars. Amazon often uses box trucks. Even smaller box trucks can be around 10 to 24 feet in length, while larger ones can range from 26 to 30 feet or more. Delivery vans can be around 20 to 30 feet long. At these sizes, they’ll do quite a bit of damage to other vehicles on the road. The semi-trucks that carry the products to and from the warehouses consist of a tractor (the front part) and a trailer (the cargo-carrying part). A standard semi-truck can be over 70 feet long!
Who Is Responsible for the Accident?
Amazon uses contract drivers, who essentially are private freelancers driving their own private cars. In the case where there is an accident with this type of driver, you will begin with contacting their insurance company.
Let’s say the accident involves a regular Amazon truck and driver versus a flex driver. Even then, things could still be complicated due to the fact that Amazon utilizes a wide array of third parties, even those wearing Amazon uniforms and labels. It’s often the case that a third party provides the staffing and logistics, managing Amazon vehicle assets. The company does require their third parties to retain commercial insurance, so these parties are going to have a policy in place for accidents and casualty. This type of coverage will process claims similar to other car insurance companies, assigning an adjuster to review and process the matter. That’s the good news. The bad news is that adjusters are trained to find and use information against claimants to reduce costs.
Because of all of this, assigning financial responsibility for accidents often becomes intricate. Frequently, multiple parties share costs depending on the accident’s circumstances. Often, a third party drives, Amazon owns the vehicle, and a private individual bears the impact’s brunt. Amazon is rarely entirely at fault, unless its employee and vehicle directly cause all damage. It is best to have your attorney deal with the claim filing.
What to Do After an Accident With an Amazon Truck
The first thing to do in an accident is to confirm your own medical health and safety. This is not different from any other type of collision. If you’ve been hurt by the truck, seek medical care first before doing anything else. On the other hand, if you’re not hurt and you are able, try to obtain the Amazon truck’s license number as well as the driver’s information from their driver’s license. You’ll need this information later.
Hire an Accident Attorney After a Amazon Truck Accident
If you are the victim of an Amazon truck accident, reach out to a truck accident lawyer to fight on your behalf. After an accident, it is very possible that you are entitled to financial compensation. It isn’t automatic though; you’ll need to fight for it. Amazon won’t just give you the money you deserve, despite the fact that they have so much of it. Amazon utilizes a well-practiced process of insurance and legal protection to channel claims against it. They do so in order to keep the company’s costs down and avoid as much responsibility as possible. Amazon’s most commonly-used defense is that someone else is responsible since the drivers are not their employees. While you do need to fight, you don’t need to do it alone.
You’re going up against an industry giant. Don’t let this scare you off, though. There’s no reason to be overwhelmed when you’re injured by an Amazon vehicle and driver. After an accident with an Amazon delivery truck, a Miami personal injury attorney will navigate complex regulations, investigate the accident, gather evidence, assess liability, and negotiate with insurance companies and truck companies for fair compensation. They will identify potential parties at fault, from Amazon to the truck manufacturer to the driver himself, ensuring all avenues for compensation are explored.
It’s to your legal advantage to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side seeking recovery from Amazon. Your attorney will build a strong case to pursue medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages. Above all, your lawyer’s main focus will be protecting your rights and advocating for your best interests throughout the legal process. Contact us today and let us get to work for you and your future.
