While the convenience of same-day shipping is now a staple of modern life, it comes with a hidden cost: a dramatic increase in accidents involving Amazon vans, other delivery trucks, and “last-mile” couriers. With so many retailers now offering delivery services, for residents across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, understanding these risks is important especially if you have been injured and need guidance from a local Carrollton car accident lawyer.
The Hard Data: Texas as a Logistics Danger Zone
Texas consistently leads the nation in commercial vehicle fatalities, often by a staggering margin. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Texas reported the highest number of fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses in the most recent national census, accounting for nearly 13% of the country’s total fatalities in this category.
The danger is not a distant threat — it is reflected in the most recent state-wide records. According to the TxDOT Dashboards: Texas recorded more than 30,000 large truck and 18-wheeler crashes in 2025. While the overall number of motor vehicle accidents dipped slightly in some regions, the percentage involving commercial trucks has remained stubbornly high.
Why Delivery Vehicles Pose Unique Dangers
Amazon vans and similar delivery vehicles present distinct hazards that set them apart from typical passenger cars. These dangers are often baked into the business model of modern delivery giants.
- Unrealistic Quotas: Drivers frequently face grueling delivery schedules, sometimes tasked with delivering hundreds of packages in a single shift. This pressure can lead to aggressive driving, speeding, and “rolling stops” to save precious seconds.
- The “Last-Mile” Danger: Unlike long-haul 18-wheelers that stay mostly on highways, delivery vans operate in the “last mile.” This puts large, heavy vehicles in residential neighborhoods, school zones, and narrow apartment complex corridors where pedestrians and cyclists are most vulnerable.
- Vehicle Limitations: Many delivery vans are customized with high roofs and heavy shelving, with substantial extra cargo weight, which raises their center of gravity and increases the risk of a rollover. Furthermore, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks require significantly more braking distance; a fully loaded delivery vehicle traveling at 55 mph can take the length of a football field to come to a complete stop.
The Liability Loophole: Who is Responsible?
One of the most dangerous aspects of an Amazon or similar delivery truck accident isn’t physical; it’s legal. Amazon and other major retailers often use “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs). These are independent businesses that hire drivers and own the vans, even if those vans are branded with the Amazon logo.
This structure is often used to shield the parent corporation from liability. When an accident occurs, the massive corporation may claim they weren’t the “employer,” leaving the victim to fight a smaller contractor with limited insurance. A Carrollton car accident lawyer is essential in these cases to pierce through these corporate layers and identify every potential source of recovery, including:
- The individual driver’s negligence.
- The contractor’s failure to maintain the vehicle.
- The parent company’s role in setting dangerous delivery quotas.
What to Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
If you are hit by a delivery van in Carrollton or the surrounding DFW area, your immediate actions are vital for your safety and your future legal claim:
- Call 911: Ensure a formal police report is filed. Commercial insurance adjusters will look for any reason to deny a claim; an official report is your first line of defense.
- Identify the Driver AND the Company: Look for a DOT number on the side of the vehicle or a “Managed by [Company Name]” sticker. This tells you who the actual owner is.
- Capture Evidence: Take photos of the vehicles and people involved. Additionally, take pictures of the scene, including packages or cargo inside the van if they are visible. This can prove the vehicle was actively being used for commercial purposes or improperly loaded at the time of the crash.
- Seek Medical Care: Internal injuries or “whiplash” symptoms may not appear immediately. The TxDOT data shows that roughly 1 in 4 truck crashes result in an injury — don’t assume you’re the exception.
Protect Your Rights with O’Hare & Koch Law Firm
Navigating a claim against a small delivery company or a multi-billion dollar delivery giant with their network of contractors is an overwhelming experience. At O’Hare & Koch Law Firm, we approach every case with compassion, integrity, and a fierce commitment to getting results. Our mission is simple: to help those who have suffered personal injuries due to someone else’s fault and fight to secure the compensation they are entitled to under the law.
We understand that you may be facing mounting medical bills and lost wages. That is why we work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Because of our relentless work ethic and strong reputation as zealous representatives for our clients, we are able to settle the vast majority of our cases without the need for a long, drawn-out trial, but we prepare every file as if it’s going to court to ensure the insurance companies take your claim seriously.
Don’t battle the insurance companies alone. Contact us today for a FREE consultation and let us offer the best possible guidance during this stressful time.
