Getting hit by an Amazon delivery van should be simple to resolve. It rarely is, because within days you learn the driver did not technically work for Amazon, and a company you have never heard of is now handling your claim. Our West Palm Beach Amazon delivery accident lawyers at Felice Trial Attorneys untangle that structure and pursue every party responsible for your injuries.
We represent drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians hurt by delivery vehicles across Palm Beach County. Call (561) 444-8822 anytime for a free case review.
Can You Sue Amazon If Their Delivery Driver Hit You?
Often yes, though it is not automatic. Amazon's position is usually that the driver worked for a separate contractor, not for Amazon, so Amazon owes you nothing. Whether that holds up depends on how much control Amazon actually exercised over that driver's work.
That question is the heart of nearly every Amazon delivery case. It matters financially, because the contractor may carry a modest policy while Amazon has vastly deeper resources. If your injuries are serious, reaching beyond the contractor can be the difference between a partial recovery and a full one.
Who Is Liable in an Amazon Delivery Accident?
Liability depends on which of Amazon's three delivery structures the driver belonged to, and there is usually more than one responsible party. Identifying the structure is the first thing we investigate, because it determines who you can pursue and how much insurance exists.
Delivery Service Partner vans
Most Amazon-branded vans are operated by Delivery Service Partners, or DSPs. These are separate companies that hire the drivers, but they run Amazon routes, follow Amazon schedules, and are monitored through Amazon systems. The DSP carries its own commercial policy, and Amazon may also be reachable depending on the degree of control.
Amazon Flex drivers
Flex drivers are gig workers delivering packages in their own personal cars. Coverage here gets complicated fast, because most personal auto policies exclude commercial delivery use, which can leave a gap the driver never knew existed.
Direct Amazon employees
A smaller number of drivers, often seasonal, work directly for Amazon. When one of them causes a crash, the path to Amazon is far more direct.
What If Amazon Says the Driver Was an Independent Contractor?
That defense is expected, and it is not the end of your case. Amazon builds its delivery network so that liability lands on contractors first, and its lawyers raise that separation immediately.
The response is to look at how the work actually happened rather than what the contract says. Courts examining these cases have looked at factors like who set the route, who set the delivery quotas, who monitored the driver in real time, whose branding was on the van and uniform, and who could effectively discipline the driver.
Where that control runs deep enough, injured people have been able to pursue Amazon under theories including vicarious liability, agency, and negligent selection of contractors. Outcomes turn on the specific facts, which is exactly why the investigation matters more here than in an ordinary crash.
Being told Amazon is not responsible for your crash? Call (561) 444-8822 for a free review before you accept that answer.
What Evidence Matters After an Amazon Van Crash?
The most valuable evidence is electronic, and it does not last long. Amazon delivery vans commonly carry onboard camera systems, and routes are tracked through Amazon's apps in fine detail. That data can show speed, stop sequence, and whether a driver was rushing to meet a quota.
Evidence that often decides these cases:
- Onboard camera footage from the van
- App and routing records showing timing and pressure
- The driver's delivery quota and hours for that day
- The contractor's hiring, training, and safety records
- The crash report and any nearby business or doorbell video
Retention windows are short, and once footage is overwritten it is gone. A prompt letter demanding preservation is one of the first things a lawyer sends.
What Is Your Amazon Delivery Accident Claim Worth?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, your future care, lost income, and which policies you can reach. Delivery van crashes frequently cause serious injuries, because a loaded van carries far more mass than a passenger car.
In Florida, your own Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, pays part of your first medical bills regardless of fault, but it is capped at $10,000 and pays nothing for pain and suffering. Serious injuries move beyond PIP into a claim against the at-fault parties.
Fault also affects value. Under Fla. Stat. 768.81, your recovery is reduced by your share of blame, and barred only if you are more than 50% responsible.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Delivery Van
Get medical care first, then capture what identifies the vehicle and the company behind it. Delivery vans look alike, and the details that matter fade quickly.
- Photograph the van, including any lettering, van number, and license plate
- Note whether the van was Amazon-branded or an unmarked personal vehicle
- Call the police so an official crash report exists
- Get contact information for witnesses before they leave
- Decline to give a recorded statement to any insurer before you have legal advice
Larger commercial vehicles may also fall under federal safety rules issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which can create additional avenues of responsibility. Our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers handle those larger commercial claims as well.
Why Injured Clients Bring Us These Cases
A claim against a company like Amazon is decided by how fast someone demands the electronic evidence and how credibly they threaten to try the case. Both are things we do early. We came out of insurance defense, so we know how a corporate carrier scores a file in the first two weeks and what makes it raise the number later.
About Timothy C. Felice, Founder and Lead Trial Attorney
Tim Felice founded the firm to try cases, and corporate defendants are where that matters most, because a company with real resources rarely pays fairly until trial is a genuine possibility. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005 with a law degree from Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center, he handles vehicle collision, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims, and other firms refer their harder litigation to him.
Our Results
We have recovered more than $85 million for injured clients across our practice areas, including serious vehicle collision and catastrophic injury claims. Every case turns on its own facts, so prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Cases against corporate defendants tend to reward patience and preparation, and that is how we run them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an Amazon delivery accident claim in Florida?
Generally two years from the date of the crash, under Florida's statute of limitations. This was shortened from four years by tort reform in 2023. Because van camera footage and app data are overwritten quickly, waiting also costs you evidence.
Can I still recover if the delivery company blames me?
Often yes. Florida reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault and bars it only if you are more than 50% responsible. Corporate defendants routinely try to inflate an injured person's share of blame, which is why independent evidence matters so much.
What if I was a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a delivery van?
You may have a strong claim. Delivery drivers make frequent stops in residential areas and often reverse in driveways and along curbs, which puts pedestrians and cyclists at real risk. These injuries tend to be severe, and the same liability questions about the driver's employer apply.
Who pays my medical bills while the case is pending?
Your own PIP coverage typically pays first under Florida's no-fault system, and some providers agree to wait for payment from the eventual recovery. You should not delay treatment over cost, since gaps in care harm both your health and your claim.
What does an Amazon delivery accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you, and your first consultation is free. There is no cost to find out whether you have a case.
Does Amazon have insurance for delivery accidents?
Yes, substantial coverage exists in the delivery network, though which policy applies depends on the driver's role. Contractor-operated vans typically carry commercial auto coverage, while gig drivers using personal cars often have coverage gaps. Identifying every available policy is a core part of the claim.
What happens if the Amazon driver was using their own car?
That points to the Flex program, and coverage becomes trickier. Many personal auto policies exclude delivery work, so the driver's own insurer may deny the claim outright. Other coverage connected to the delivery activity may still apply, which is why these claims deserve a close policy review.
How long do Amazon delivery accident cases take?
Longer than a routine car accident, generally. Corporate defendants dispute responsibility, and identifying the right entities takes investigation. A clear case may still resolve in months, while a contested serious-injury claim can take a year or more.
Do I need a police report to make a claim?
It helps considerably, and you should call police at the scene whenever possible. A report documents the vehicle, driver, and initial findings on fault. If no report exists, a claim is still possible, but you will rely more on photos, witnesses, and video evidence.
The Evidence Is Disappearing. Call Today.
Van camera footage and route data are overwritten on short cycles, and nobody preserves them unless a lawyer demands it in writing. That single step is worth making the call today rather than next month.
Call (561) 444-8822, available 24/7, or visit us at 3 Harvard Circle, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page or contacting Felice Trial Attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Case result figures reflect gross recoveries across multiple matters and do not reflect the net amount received by any individual client after fees and costs. References to how courts have analyzed corporate liability describe general legal principles and do not predict the outcome of any particular claim. Company names are used for identification purposes only and do not imply any affiliation or endorsement. Florida statutes, deadlines, and procedures referenced here are subject to change, and you should consult a licensed Florida attorney about the specific facts of your situation. Florida's statute of limitations is strict, and missing it may bar your recovery.