Over the past decade, Amazon’s operation has swelled massively in scale. To meet demand, hundreds or even thousands of delivery truck drivers operate on the streets and highways across the greater Dallas every day. Though they have commercial licenses, these drivers are human, and are prone to mistakes behind the wheel.
When an Amazon delivery truck driver causes an accident that leaves you injured, you may have legal options for recovery at your disposal. You may choose to file a lawsuit against the driver and recover from their commercial insurance coverage. In certain situations, you may also be able to sue Amazon itself. If you are successful, you could recover for your losses in terms of medical care, lost time at work, and pain and suffering resulting from your injuries.
Any accident victim, no matter how serious their injuries may be, can benefit from the competent legal advice of the Dallas Amazon delivery truck accident attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. That is why we offer complimentary appointments with first-time clients who believe they may be entitled to recovery. To schedule a consultation, call our offices today at (817) 476-1797.
Filing an Insurance Claim for Injuries Caused by Amazon Delivery Trucks in Dallas
All truck drivers who deliver for Amazon must carry commercial auto insurance, whether they are a direct employee or an independent contractor. Even drivers in Amazon’s Flex service are required to carry commercial insurance. Amazon does provide commercial insurance coverage to their drivers directly if they do not already possess adequate coverage.
Commercial insurance plans provide insurance not just for the delivery driver’s vehicle, but also for any liability they cause if they are at fault for an accident. This could include the property damage to your car as well as the cost of dealing with your injuries. While you may not be able to sue Amazon directly, rest assured that the Amazon delivery truck driver will have enough coverage to provide your full financial recovery.
Regulations for Amazon Delivery Trucks in Dallas that Can Help Victims Prove Fault
Amazon employees or contractors who operate commercial vehicles must follow specific rules that go beyond the traditional rules of the road, such as obeying speed limits and using turn signals. These regulations are laid out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and apply to all commercial vehicle operators. If Amazon fails to implement policies that comply with the federal regulations, they may also be liable for the injuries that their drivers cause.
The FMCSA’s most critical restrictions govern how trucking and shipping companies, like Amazon, maintain a safe workforce. Specifically, the regulations limit the number of hours that a commercial driver may work per day and per week. This is meant to prevent overtired or fatigued drivers from getting behind the wheel. However, it is well understood that Amazon pressures many of its employees to take on taxing work schedules in order to meet deadline goals.
Operators such as Amazon must also meet certain drug and alcohol testing requirements at regular intervals. If Amazon were to hire a commercial driver with a history of DUI charges and failed to implement adequate testing measures, the driver may decide that it is safe to take to the road while inebriated, placing everyone in their surrounding area in immediate and grave danger.
Whom to Sue for an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident in Dallas
If you were injured in an accident that was caused by an Amazon delivery truck driver, you have the ability to sue for damages. However, before filing your suit, you should make sure that you have sued the proper party. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to sue the driver, Amazon itself, or both.
Factors that will affect whom you should sue for your injuries will include the nature of the accident and the negligent or reckless behavior that caused it, as well as the business relationship between the driver and Amazon. Some Amazon drivers are classified as employees, while others are contractors. Your Dallas Amazon delivery truck accident lawyer will be able to help you determine what action is best in your case.
Damages for a Dallas Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawsuit
Winning your lawsuit will require you to prove that the defendant’s negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior caused the accident which resulted in your injuries. If you succeed, you will be able to recover what are called “damages.”
Damages include monetary compensation for your direct physical, financial, and psychological harms as a result of the accident. You will be able to recover all of the same costs as you might from an insurance claim, such as medical treatment bills and property damage. You can also recover the value of any missed time at work while recuperating from your injuries.
However, the key difference that makes a lawsuit more lucrative than an insurance claim is in the non-economic damages that you could be owed. Insurance coverage will not account for the pain and suffering that you will experience as a result of your accident. Though these consequences are harder to evaluate, that does not mean that they are any less real to injury victims. Delivery truck accident injuries and subsequent surgical procedures may cause a victim to experience chronic pain, which can make life harder to enjoy. Victims may also experience psychological conditions associated with their injuries, such as depression and anxiety.
Your Dallas Amazon delivery truck accident attorney can help you estimate your potential damages in a lawsuit so that you can make sound decisions regarding filing your lawsuit and negotiating settlement offers.
Want to Know Your Rights? Call The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. Today
At The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., one of our experienced Dallas Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can sit down with you at no charge to discuss what you stand to gain from your legal case. To hear more about our services and get straight answers on your case, call (817) 476-1797 today.