Florida’s roads are teeming with traffic, and an increasing amount of that traffic consists of Amazon delivery trucks. While these trucks keep our packages flowing, official data shows worrying stats. In 2022, Florida was the third state with the most truck accidents, after Texas and California.
The state of the nation was no better. The NHTSA reports a horrifying total of 5,936 deaths and 160,608 injuries in 2022 from large trucks.
Imagine experiencing an accident involving an Amazon delivery truck. It can be scary and confusing, especially when you’re in pain and are worrying about how you’ll pay the bills.
This is where Madalon Law comes in. Our reliable team of Amazon truck accident lawyers in Florida can help you recover damages after a truck accident.
The sheer size and weight of Amazon delivery trucks means accidents involving them can be devastating – and often deadly. While there is property damage, the true impact falls on the people involved.
Here’s a closer look at some of the common injuries you can sustain in these accidents and what you should watch out for:
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
The tremendous forces at play in a collision can cause severe damage to the back and spinal cord. This can result in severe pain, numbness, weakness, or even paralysis. Our back houses a complex network of nerves. As such, any damage to the spinal cord disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
Be alert for any back pain after a car accident, especially if it radiates down your legs. This is especially important if you experience difficulty moving or feeling parts of your body.
Get medical attention immediately after a truck accident to assess the damage. Make sure to start treatment promptly so that you do not suffer any long-term consequences.
Neck Injuries, Including Whiplash
Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs when an accident causes your head to jerk forcefully back and forth. A rear-end collision can cause this. The sudden movement can strain or tear muscles and ligaments in the neck, leading to pain, stiffness, and headaches.
While whiplash improves with time and proper care, the injury can be painful and disrupt your daily activities. If you experience neck pain or stiffness following a truck accident, don’t hesitate to see a doctor.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The impact of a collision can fracture bones anywhere in the body. The most common signs of a broken bone include pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity at the injury site. You might also be unable to move the injured bone normally.
While any bone can break in a truck accident, some areas are more at risk:
If you’ve been in a truck accident, be aware of these common fracture areas. Make sure to seek medical attention for any pain or difficulty moving.
Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
A blow to the head during an accident can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can range from a mild headache after a car accident to severe injuries with long-lasting effects. Symptoms of a TBI can vary based on how severe your injury is. However, some common warning signs are headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
Some TBI symptoms may not appear immediately, so it’s vital to seek medical attention right away following a head injury. This is true even if you feel alright after an accident. Early diagnosis can help detect any hidden injuries, and early treatment can help you recover more quickly.
Chest Pain
Chest pain after a car accident is a common complaint. Following a collision with a large Amazon delivery truck, it’s crucial to take it seriously. The force of the impact can cause various injuries to the chest wall and internal organs, which can manifest as chest pain.
Your ribs can crack or break because of the impact, causing sharp pain, especially when breathing deeply, coughing, or laughing. The pain may worsen when you press on the injured area. The force of the collision can also damage internal organs in the chest cavity, including the lungs, heart, and spleen. Injuries to these organs can cause varying degrees of chest pain, depending on how severe the damage is.
For example, a punctured lung occurs when a rib fractures or a blunt object penetrates the chest wall, collapsing part of the lung. This can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing.
A collision with an Amazon truck can also deliver a bruise to the heart muscle. Symptoms for this can include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing or fluttering), and weakness.
You may also experience strained or torn muscles, especially between the ribs and those supporting the shoulder blade. This can cause sharp pain, especially when taking a deep breath, coughing, or moving your upper body.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
Internal injuries are often hidden dangers after an accident. The force of the impact can damage internal organs like the spleen, liver, or kidneys, causing internal bleeding.
Keep in mind that internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent. However, watch for symptoms like severe chest or stomach pain after an accident. These may come with nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath, which can point to a severe issue.
If you experience any of these signs after an accident, call 911 immediately. This can help reduce the risk of complications and save your life.
Loss of Limbs
The immense force of a collision with an Amazon delivery truck can cause devastating crush injuries or amputations. If you notice excessive bleeding, mangled limbs, or complete detachment of a limb, call 911 immediately. Emergency medical professionals will try to stop the bleeding quickly and stabilize you.
Your road to recovery will most likely involve extensive surgeries and rehabilitation. While the journey may be long and challenging, there is support available.
Talking to your doctor about prosthetic options and rehabilitation specialists is important. They are experts who can help you regain function and independence.
Remember, with the right support and a determined spirit, you can overcome this life-altering event.
Burns
Depending on the cargo type and the accident’s nature, burns are also possible. They can range from minor redness to severe injuries requiring skin grafts. If you have any burns, avoid touching or treating them yourself. Seek medical attention as soon as possible to reduce the risk of scarring and infection.
Bruises, Cuts, and Lacerations
While these are common accident injuries, you shouldn’t dismiss them. Even minor cuts can become infected if not cleaned properly.
Look for swelling, bruises (red, purple, or black), and open wounds. For minor cuts and scrapes, clean them thoroughly with soap and lukewarm water to remove debris.
Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to stop any bleeding, then cover the area with a sterile bandage.
For more serious wounds with deep cuts, profuse bleeding, pus, spreading redness, and increasing pain, get medical attention immediately. This can reduce the risk of scarring and prevent complications like infection.
Remember, even if your injury seems minor, it needs attention to ensure proper healing and prevent future problems.
Numbness and Tingling Sensation
Numbness and tingling in the arms or legs can indicate nerve damage. This can occur in spinal cord injuries or injuries to the nerves that travel through the chest wall. If you experience numbness or tingling, get medical aid right away. This is especially important if you feel weak or have difficulty moving at the same time.
Delayed Onset of Pain
The human body’s fight-or-flight response during an accident can mask pain through a surge of adrenaline. This can be misleading, causing injuries to go unnoticed for hours or even days.
After an Amazon truck accident, don’t ignore the lack of pain. Be mindful of your body in the days following an accident. If you feel any aches, stiffness, soreness, or weakness, especially in your back, neck, or limbs, see a doctor right away.
Even with delayed onset, treating your injuries early on can greatly improve your chances of healing and prevent complications. Remember, even a minor discomfort may be a red flag for underlying damage. Make sure you get prompt medical attention for it to get a full recovery.
Mental Health Trauma
Truck accidents can be incredibly stressful and traumatic experiences. If you are a victim of such an accident, you may be unable to cope. Often, this can lead to anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Some common signs of trauma are flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, feeling jumpy, and avoiding reminders of the accident.
If you’re struggling to cope after an accident, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional. They can provide valuable support and guidance as you heal.
In the aftermath of an Amazon truck accident, you may have some serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. Let’s get a closer look at some of the most common reasons why delivery truck accidents happen.
Pressure to Deliver: Amazon has a focus on fast delivery times. This can make drivers feel pressured to speed, make risky lane changes, or tailgate other vehicles. This aggressive driving behavior can greatly increase the risk of an accident.
Impaired Drivers: An Amazon driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a danger on the road. Their impaired judgment and reaction times can make it difficult to avoid obstacles or react to sudden traffic changes. This is a serious violation of company policy and the law and puts everyone on the road at risk.
Distracted Driving: Texting and talking on a phone without hands-free functionality is illegal in many states. However, using a GPS that requires taking your eyes off the road is also risky. This is because it can take a driver’s attention away from the road.
This can be especially dangerous when operating a large truck that requires constant focus and awareness of your surroundings.
Inadequate Driver Training: Not all delivery companies provide their drivers with the proper training to handle large vehicles safely.
If a truck driver hasn’t had proper training, they might not know all the safety rules. This includes knowledge about safe driving, blind spots, and the right braking technique for heavy loads. They may also not be able to handle the truck safely in different weather conditions.
Cutting Costs on Maintenance: Delivery companies need to keep their trucks maintained to keep their vehicles safe. This is especially true for large commercial trucks. If a company fails to do this, mechanical issues like faulty brakes and tires can result in an accident.
Imagine how catastrophic it can be if a heavy truck traveling at highway speeds experiences brake failure.
Driver Fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel can make any driver drowsy. A fatigued Amazon driver may have slower reaction times and struggle to stay focused on the road. This, of course, increases the chance of a crash.
Truck drivers have a limit on how long they can drive. This is a federal law that helps prevent driver fatigue. However, some companies may pressure drivers to exceed these limits to meet delivery quotas.
Improper Cargo Loading: Overloaded trucks or trucks with poorly secured cargo can experience cargo shifts during transport. This can throw off the truck’s balance and make it difficult for the driver to keep control.
In such cases, there is a serious danger of a rollover or other disastrous accident. Improper loading can also cause cargo to fall out of the truck. This can create a hazard for other vehicles on the road.
Negligent Hiring: Some companies may not properly screen their drivers before hiring them. This could mean using someone who doesn’t have a good driving history. Sometimes, drivers may not have the right experience to drive a large delivery truck safely. They may also have a history of substance abuse.
Remember, none of these reasons excuse the pain and suffering you’ve been through after an Amazon truck accident. Madalon Law’s delivery truck accident attorneys can help if you’ve suffered an injury. Contact us today for a free consultation.
An accident with an Amazon truck can leave you shaken and unsure of where to turn. These accidents can cause serious injuries and heavy financial burdens. The question of who is responsible or liable, for the accident is essential. At Madalon Law, our delivery truck accident lawyers can help find the liable party for your Amazon truck accident:
The Amazon Driver: Speeding, texting while driving, or drowsy driving could make the driver personally responsible for your damages. This could include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Delivery Company: Amazon frequently uses third-party delivery companies to handle their deliveries. If the at-fault driver works for a delivery company, the company may be liable for your damages. That’s because, in most cases, employers are responsible for their employees’ actions while on the job.
Amazon’s Potential Liability: Things get a bit more complex when you consider Amazon’s potential liability. In some cases, we may hold Amazon itself liable for the accident. Here are some scenarios where this might occur:
Understanding who is liable for your accident is important because it determines who is financially responsible for your damages. If the at-fault party has insurance, their company will typically cover your losses. However, things can get trickier if the driver has minimal coverage or the liable party is uninsured.
An experienced Amazon truck accident lawyer in Florida can offer guidance to your case. They will find who is liable for the accident and fight to get you the most money you deserve.
An Amazon delivery truck accident can change your life. The physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens you face can feel overwhelming. Here at Madalon Law, we understand the challenges you’re going through, and we want to help.
We can help you find justice and get fair compensation for your damages.
What Damages Can You Recover After an Amazon Truck Accident?
Here are some claims for damages that you may have the right to:
Medical Expenses
This is the most crucial aspect of your Amazon delivery accident claim. You deserve financial compensation for all types of medical bills that resulted from your accident, including:
Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, you have a right to compensation for lost wages. This includes your base salary, bonuses, commissions, and other work-related income you’ve lost because of the accident. In some cases, you may also get compensation for lost future earnings. This is possible if your injuries have a lasting impact on your ability to work.
Property Damage
You can seek compensation for repairs or replacement in case of damage to your car during the accident.
Pain and Suffering
We can also offer some compensation for the physical agony and mental distress caused. This includes recompense for pain, discomfort, emotional trauma, and any other mental suffering caused by the accident.
Wrongful Death
If a loved one dies in an Amazon truck accident, their family might be able to file a “wrongful death lawsuit.” This claim helps compensate them for funeral and burial expenses. It also offers some recompense for the loss of financial support from the deceased and the loss of companionship.
The damages you get after an Amazon truck accident can make a difference in getting your life back on track. Insurance companies may try to downplay the value of your claim. That’s why having an experienced Amazon truck accident lawyer on your side is essential.
Madalon Law understands the ins and outs of Amazon truck accidents in Florida. We’ll go the extra mile to make sure you get the most money you deserve for:
Contact Madalon Law Today for a Free Consultation
We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have. We’ll work tirelessly to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Let us help you get back on your feet and focus on healing.
Most people are not aware of how the law works, the rights they have and the amount of compensation they can be entitled to after they have been injured in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligence. The obstacles and confusion that follow an accident and an injury can seem overwhelming.
