Amazon manages an impressive fleet of tens of thousands of delivery vehicles across the country. But such a vast number means van and truck accidents happen nearly every day, especially in more urban and fast-paced states.
In the event that you get hit by an Amazon delivery vehicle, you can experience significant financial losses and physical disabilities, which raises the question of who is responsible for Amazon van and truck accidents in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
A Port St. Lucie Amazon van and truck accident lawyer from Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers can help you determine the answer to that question and help you fight for just compensation after such a crash. Contact us today at (772) 247-3374 for a free consultation.
How Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Port St. Lucie, FL
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers was founded over ten years ago to represent accident victims in Port St. Lucie, FL, against those responsible for their injuries. Our attorneys have over 80 years of combined legal experience and have recovered over $200 million in much-needed resources for our clients.
In the event that you are injured in an Amazon-related auto accident, we’ll assist you with the following services:
- Analyzing your case and presenting your legal options
- Investigating your claim to gather evidence that proves the other party’s liability
- Assembling your claim and negotiating with the insurer to resolve it
- Filing a lawsuit (if the insurer refuses to negotiate)
A delivery vehicle accident can cause catastrophic injuries that leave you facing an expensive and lengthy recovery. Contact our Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you fight for what you deserve.
How Amazon Deliveries Work
Contrary to what you may think, Amazon itself does not deliver the goods it sells. Instead, it contracts with delivery service partners (DSPs) to carry out these shipments on the company’s behalf.
The work that DSPs do can differ from that of FedEx or UPS, though. Where the latter carriers might have handled the package for the rest of the journey, DSPs only handle the “final mile” of delivery. In other words, DSPs are only involved with bringing your package from a local transportation hub to your door.
One of Amazon’s goals in using DSPs is to build its brand. Even though the DSP is not part of the company, it carries Amazon’s logo, which is meant to give the impression that Amazon delivered your package. However, when a crash happens, you’ll quickly find that you have no legal standing against Amazon; instead, you must file a claim against the DSP and its insurer.
Liability for Amazon Delivery Vehicle Crashes
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most common causes of truck crashes are as follows:
- Speeding (or otherwise driving too fast for the road’s current conditions)
- Driving in an unfamiliar area
- Malfunctioning brakes
- Distracted or inattentive driving
- Fatigued driving
Determining liability for delivery van and truck crashes hinges upon negligence law. Negligence occurs when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care on the roads (by way of the actions listed above), as well as when a company fails to keep its equipment in a reasonably safe condition.
Thus, you might have a few means of holding a DSP liable for your crash, including the following:
Vicarious Liability
Employers are liable for accidents resulting from employee negligence. As such, the DSP will generally bear the liability for accidents caused when its drivers drive carelessly.
Negligent Hiring
A DSP may be liable if it fails to exercise reasonable care when hiring its drivers. For example, if an applicant has a poor driving record or a history of drug or alcohol abuse, the company might be liable for any collisions the driver goes on to cause.
Improper Maintenance
DSPs are responsible for repairing and maintaining their vehicles. If a crash occurs due to an avoidable equipment failure (damaged tires, worn brakes, broken lights), the company may be liable.
Compensation Recoverable From a DSP
Under Florida law, all vehicle owners must have the resources to pay for the crashes they cause. Moreover, Amazon requires its DSPs to carry auto liability insurance. Therefore, the company responsible for your losses should have access to the resources to pay any claim you file.
However, Florida’s no-fault insurance system can throw a wrench into your injury claims, as under it, you can only file a claim against the at-fault party if you suffered a significant, permanent injury or had losses that exceeded your no-fault policy limits.
Contact Our Port St. Lucie Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Although Amazon may not be liable for your losses, we can often determine which company is. Contact Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for a free consultation with an experienced Port St. Lucie truck accident lawyer.
