Every day, thousands of trucks from UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon, and many other companies circulate around the Fort Lauderdale area. For many drivers, it’s a matter of when they’ll get into an accident with a delivery truck, not if. As e-commerce and online shopping become more prevalent, the number of delivery vehicles on Florida’s roadways increases.
Learn your rights as an injured accident victim. Speak to a commercial vehicle crash attorney who cares about your future and financial stability. A Fort Lauderdale delivery truck accident lawyer could fight to protect your rights from the very beginning of your case process.
Why Do Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents Happen?
Over the years, our accident attorney has come to learn that the vast majority of auto accidents stem from driver negligence. Delivery truck crashes are no exception. In many cases, the delivery driver makes a mistake that results in serious injuries or death to others. It is up to every delivery driver to pay attention to the road, obey traffic laws and speed limits, and prevent distraction while doing their jobs.
Common acts of negligence that can cause crashes with delivery trucks include but are not limited to:
- Stopping within crosswalks
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to bicyclists and pedestrians
- Turning without using turn signals
- Speeding through residential areas
- Reading names on mail while driving
- Looking at street names or house numbers instead of the road
- Using a cell phone, eating, or drinking behind the wheel
- Driving while intoxicated
- Making sudden stops
Delivery truck drivers deal with a variety of issues and distractions that typical drivers do not. A more difficult job, however, does not excuse a delivery driver from obeying roadway rules and best practices. In fact, operating a commercial driver’s license comes with stricter rules and regulations than other drivers have. If an on-duty truck driver or delivery company’s mistake causes a traffic accident, the company will be liable for damages. A personal injury claim could give victims compensation for vehicle repairs, medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
Can You File a Claim Against the U.S. Government?
If the delivery truck involved in your accident was operating on behalf of the United States Postal Service (USPS), a personal injury claim is still possible. The Federal Tort Claims Act permit injured parties to bring claims against a U.S. government employee or agency if the defendant negligently caused injury while performing job-related tasks. Government claims in Florida, however, come with a different set of rules than other claims.
The most important requirement to know is that you must file your initial claim within two years of the date of the accident. Missing this strict deadline almost certainly means losing your right to compensation. You will file “Form 95” directly with USPS, stating the nature of your claim and the damages you’re seeking. You must then work out your claim with USPS’s insurance company. If the company denies the claim or offers less than your case is worth, your claim may go to court. Always hire an attorney for help with USPS accident claims in Florida.
To talk to a Trusted Fort Lauderdale delivery truck accident lawyer, call David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. We’ll also respond to an online request for a free initial case evaluation.
