Texas is huge, not just in size but in business. It’s one of the biggest logistical hubs in the United States, and companies like Amazon have taken full advantage of that. With major fulfillment centers in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, Amazon has a massive presence in this state.
Why?
Because Texas is perfect for a company that needs to move products quickly. It has an extensive highway network, a booming economy, and millions of customers expecting fast deliveries.
Amazon is the largest online retailer in the U.S., pulling in a whopping $469.8 billion in net sales in 2021. A huge chunk of those sales comes from Texas, where countless customers rely on Amazon’s delivery services.
This is a mind-blowing figure, but in the achievement of this, there was no doubt that more than a handful of mishaps occurred, leading to the filing of several Amazon truck accident lawsuits in Texas.
In 2021, Bloomberg found that 119 lawsuits were filed against Amazon Logistics between January and November, which was a fourfold increase from 2020. That number doesn’t include cases where people settled out of court or never pursued legal action in the first place.
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Why You Should Choose Litigation Over an Out-of-Court Amazon Settlement
If you’re a victim of an Amazon truck accident, you may be wondering whether to settle or take the case to court. It’s true that Amazon has the resources to fight lawsuits aggressively, but that doesn’t mean they always win. Many victims who have taken their cases to court have won significant settlements or verdicts far beyond what Amazon initially offered in private negotiations.
Here’s why litigation is often the better choice.
Proving Amazon’s Liability Requires Legal Action
Texas law allows accident victims to sue Amazon, its logistics division, or its contractors if they were injured due to negligence. However, proving Amazon’s liability is not easy.
The company aggressively fights lawsuits by arguing that DSP drivers are not its employees, even though Amazon still dictates many aspects of their jobs.
To file a lawsuit, you must prove:
- The accident was caused by an Amazon delivery driver or a DSP working for Amazon.
- The driver was negligent (e.g., speeding, distracted driving, violating traffic laws).
- You suffered injuries and financial losses due to the crash (such as medical bills, lost wages, or ongoing pain and suffering).
Texas courts are currently weighing cases that question whether Amazon’s control over deliveries makes it legally responsible for accidents. Until those rulings are finalized, each case depends on its unique details. Going to court gives you a chance to argue your case before a judge, rather than settling for whatever Amazon offers.
The Quick Settlement Might Not Fully Cover Your Injuries
You’re very likely to suffer the following after an accident:
- Head trauma (concussions, brain injuries)
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Fatalities
Medical costs for these types of injuries can be extensive. Settling too soon might leave you without the funds needed for ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or even lost income if you’re unable to work. In court, your lawyer can fight for full compensation, considering both immediate and future financial burden.
You Can Set Legal Precedents
Amazon is not like traditional delivery companies. Instead of hiring drivers directly, it contracts third-party delivery service providers (DSPs) to handle deliveries. This setup allows Amazon to distance itself from legal responsibility when accidents happen.
Even though the drivers wear Amazon-branded uniforms and drive Amazon-marked vans, they technically work for another company, not Amazon itself.
One of the biggest legal issues surrounding Amazon truck accidents is Amazon’s decentralized approach to deliveries. Unlike UPS or FedEx, which directly employ drivers, Amazon relies on a web of small third-party transportation companies for its deliveries.
Many of these independent contractors do not have the same safety standards as larger delivery companies. According to a CBS News analysis, companies handling Amazon’s middle-mile deliveries have double the violation rates (such as speeding and texting while driving) compared to non-Amazon carriers. That means these drivers may be more likely to cause accidents.
Some lawsuits have alleged that Amazon’s system pushes drivers to their limits, making them work long hours and even skip bathroom breaks to stay on schedule. When drivers are exhausted or rushing to meet tight deadlines, the risk of accidents skyrockets.
Choosing litigation over the rushed settlement they offer you puts more legal power in your hands. You can shed more light on Amazon’s role in creating unsafe conditions and potentially contribute to broader legal changes that hold the company accountable.
Workers’ Compensation Isn’t an Option for Amazon Drivers
Amazon is a non-subscriber to Texas’s Workers’ Compensation program. Instead, it uses a third-party claims management company called Sedgwick to handle injury claims.
This means that Amazon employees injured in accidents do not receive traditional workers’ compensation benefits.
If you were an Amazon driver involved in an accident, your legal options might be different from those of a non-employee injured by an Amazon truck. In either case, litigation may be the only way to secure the compensation you need.
