Average Case Value of an Amazon Truck Accident Case

When Amazon was founded in 1994, Jeff Bezos could not have imagined the corporate juggernaut his company would become. Currently, Amazon is valued at $1.32 trillion, and much of that profit is due to the popularity of Amazon Prime. The membership-only service promises delivery on most items within one to two days. Some items can even be delivered the same day, which is helpful when you need something at the last minute. However, these time frames place a heavy burden on delivery drivers, who often work late into the night. The fatigue from long work schedules and the pressure to keep their jobs can easily result in a truck accident.

If you’ve been injured from an accident involving an Amazon truck, you are most likely wondering about your legal options, including the possibility of suing Amazon. If you are able to sue Amazon, how much should you ask for? The answer will depend on many factors, which we will discuss in this article. Additionally, we will provide case samples and current lawsuits to give you an idea of what can be recovered from one of these lawsuits. However, this information is for general purposes only, and specific answers regarding your case can only be provided by an attorney. To discuss your case with an experienced Amazon truck accident lawyer, please contact Normandie Law Firm at your earliest convenience.

What is the Average Value of an Amazon Truck Accident Lawsuit?

First, it’s important to understand that truck accidents are much more serious than car accidents, as trucks are bigger and heavier than the average car. Thus, there is considerably more damage to the driver, passengers, and possibly other motorists. Then, there’s the damage to the car itself, which you can also recover from an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Overall, the totality of bodily injuries, property damage, and emotional distress can range from $150,000 to $500,000. That figure can increase to $1 million or more, especially if the case goes to trial and the jury awards punitive damages (which we will talk about in a later section). On the other hand, we’ve also settled cases for $50,000 or less if the injuries were fairly minor. All in all, the value of an Amazon truck accident case depends on the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. These injuries, by the way, include emotional damage, like PTSD and anxiety, which are very common among truck accident victims.

As you can see, there are many factors we must consider in order to determine a case value. To learn what your own case is worth, please schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

Does Amazon Provide Insurance Coverage for their Drivers?

This is an important question, since Amazon drivers are independent contractors and not employees of Amazon. However, Amazon requires their drivers to carry a form of insurance known as Amazon Flex, which offers up to $1 million in coverage in the event of an accident. The catch is, the coverage only applies when drivers are making deliveries. So if the driver gets into an accident on the way home or back to the warehouse, they are not covered under Amazon Flex.

Who Can I Sue for my Injuries?

Determining who you can sue in an Amazon truck accident can be rather complicated, due to Amazon’s relationship with their drivers. As we mentioned, Amazon drivers are independent contractors. They may get hired by Amazon on their own, or through a subcontractor that partners with Amazon. In either case, they are covered by the $1 million Flex policy when they’re making deliveries. But what if a driver hits someone while they’re “off the clock?” Or, even if the accident is covered under Amazon Flex, should Amazon compensate the victim over and above the coverage amount?

Regardless of the coverage terms, there have been an increasing number of lawsuits against Amazon in recent years. One argument, which we can agree with, is that Amazon clearly overworks their drivers. The tight deadlines associated with Prime deliveries, for example, force drivers to work beyond normal expectations. We’ve heard horror stories of drivers hitting bike riders and pedestrians because they were overly focused on completing their deliveries. Drivers have also fallen asleep at the wheel, simply because they were too tired from working 12 or more hours a day. If Amazon imposes unsafe and unreasonable demands for their workers, are they responsible for the accidents caused by their drivers?

There is no easy answer to this question, but you can see the potential for a lawsuit against Amazon if you were hit by one of their delivery trucks. Frankly, your ability to sue Amazon will depend on many details that are specific to your accident, which is why you should speak to a lawyer right away.

Our lawyers look forward to advising you of your legal options. Please call our office and schedule a free case evaluation.

How do I Figure Out what My Case is Worth?

When we determine a case value for a client’s accident, we consider a wide range of damages that relate to their financial and emotional losses. Financial losses, like cost of medical treatments and lost wages, are referred to as economic damages. But injury victims also struggle with the trauma of their accident, which can lead to mental health conditions like PTSD. Losses related to the victim’s trauma are known as non-economic damages. With all this in mind, here is a list of the damages we may ask for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future wages (if client is unable to work)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Legal fees
• Punitive damages

Punitive damages are a form of additional compensation that’s normally awarded by a jury. It’s meant to serve as a form of punishment for cases of extreme negligence, and there is no limit to the amount of punitive damages you can receive in California. They are generally seen as excessive and most cases will not qualify for this type of compensation. However, we’ve been seeing more and more lawsuits against Amazon in the last few years where plaintiffs were seeking punitive damages. These lawsuits generally cite Amazon’s unreasonable expectations for their drivers, as well as the company’s hiring and training practices. For example, Amazon has been accused of hiring drivers with questionable work histories and retaining them even after multiple violations.

While punitive damages will significantly increase the value of your lawsuit, you will have to make sure that your Amazon truck accident meets the standard for gross negligence. Additionally, you will need to present a convincing argument for these damages, so you must speak with a lawyer right away. Our attorneys will be happy to review your case and advise you on the losses you are eligible to recover.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

How much do These Cases Settle for?

It’s impossible to say how much an Amazon truck case will settle for, since every case has its own set of factors. However, each lawyer has their own system for calculating a client’s damages, which is what they will ask for in an insurance claim or lawsuit against Amazon. To give you an idea of how your losses may be calculated, consider the following example:

Shannon is struck by an Amazon delivery driver, who ran a red light in his rush to complete a delivery. Both her arms were broken in the accident, which required surgery and many months of physical therapy. She also missed 3 months of work due to her recovery needs, and her car was damaged beyond repair. Here is a breakdown of her losses:

Medical expenses: $30,000

Lost wages: $12,000

Property damage: $45,000

Pain and suffering: $260,000

Total estimated settlement value: $347,000

Keep in mind that this is a simplistic description of the victim’s losses. Medical costs may include future expenses for surgeries, therapy, and medications if the client has long-term of life-long injuries. If they’re no longer able to work, we will ask for future wages along with what they’ve lost right after the accident. We will attempt to illustrate these points with a more complex example:

James was riding his bike when he was hit from the side by an Amazon delivery driver. He suffered numerous injuries from the accident, including broken bones, a skull fracture, and traumatic brain injury. As a result, James will struggle to do basic tasks and control his moods for the rest of his life. His lawyer found out that the driver had two prior DUI convictions, and there were previous complaints about his driving.

Medical costs: $240,000

Future medical expenses: $600,000

Lifetime care costs: $25,000 a year for 30 years = $750,000

Loss of income: $42,000 a year for 30 years = $1,260,000

Pain and suffering (current and future): $1,200,000

Total approximate case value: $4,050,000

In James’ case, he may be awarded punitive damages if his case goes to trial. This is based on Amazon hiring the driver without a thorough background check, or hiring him in spite of the DUI convictions. Furthermore, other customers had complained about the worker’s reckless driving, yet Amazon did not fire him. These actions by Amazon may be seen as gross negligence by a jury, which will qualify the plaintiff for punitive damages.

In essence, there are many elements that go into figuring out an approximate case value for an Amazon truck accident. To ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve, please contact our law firm and speak with a California truck accident lawsuit attorney.

Current Lawsuits against Amazon

There are two current lawsuits against Amazon that illustrate the devastation of an accident with a delivery truck. The first lawsuit was filed in February of this year by a North Carolina man who was on his motorcycle when he was struck by an Amazon delivery driver. Sadly, doctors were forced to amputate one of his legs right below the knee. The plaintiff’s law firm is seeking $100 million for their client and blames Amazon for the “unrealistic expectations that are put on the drivers.”

The second lawsuit was filed last year by a Massachusetts man, who is suing Amazon for $51 million. The plaintiff was hit by an Amazon truck driver that fell asleep at the wheel. From the accident, he sustained numerous injuries to his head, arms, and legs. According to his attorney, “Joseph Graziano, for every day of the rest of his life, he’ll have to deal with the business plan of Amazon and the pain it has caused him. That’s what this case is about.”

It should be noted that such high case values are unusual. It’s also likely that these cases will settle out of court for less than the requested amount. This is not a bad thing as long as the client is fairly compensated for their losses. But it goes to show the serious nature of these accidents and how negligence by major corporations like Amazon will not be tolerated. That’s why we encourage you to come forward and speak with one of our attorneys as soon as possible.

While Amazon offers insurance coverage for their drivers, the extent of your damages may go beyond the coverage limits. Amazon is also likely to deny your injury claim or try to pressure you into a low settlement. Our lawyers will fight back against these tactics and work tirelessly to bring you the compensation you deserve for your suffering.

Speak to an Amazon Truck Accident Lawsuit Attorney

Frankly, it’s hard to imagine what life was like before delivery companies like Amazon. But the rising number of Amazon truck accidents indicates the heavy price we pay for instant access to our favorite products. There is no easy solution to this dilemma, but companies like Amazon cannot deny responsibility for their drivers by saying they are independent contractors. If Amazon has unrealistic work expectations or inadequate hiring / retention practices, they too, may be liable in a truck accident involving one of their drivers.

There’s no doubt that Amazon truck accident cases are complicated, which is why victims are generally unsuccessful when they file a claim on their own. However, you may be anxious about the cost of hiring an attorney. When you choose Normandie, you will never pay upfront to retain our services. All the costs of litigating your case are deferred until we recover your settlement. At that point, it’s Amazon that will be paying our costs, so there is no risk to your finances whatsoever. That’s our promise to you under our Zero fee guarantee, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Our lawyers look forward to meeting you during a free consultation. Contact our office and speak to an Amazon delivery truck accident attorney.

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