What to Know About Amazon Delivery Driver Accidents

If you were involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. Corporate insurance agents may be reaching out, and it’s hard to know who is and isn’t on your side. After seeking immediate medical treatment, contact a vehicle accident lawyer who focuses their practice on personal injury law. Collisions with Amazon delivery drivers are ultimately motor vehicle accidents with some complexities related to corporate liability.

Dedicated delivery vehicle accident injury lawyers can guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Do not face one of America’s largest corporations alone. Reach out for professional legal support to protect your rights as soon as possible.

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Driver Negligence Associated with Amazon Delivery Trucks

These days, Amazon delivery trucks are nearly as common as USPS vans on residential roads. However, high demand for the fast, guaranteed deliveries offered by Amazon often leads to driver negligence. Investigating the cause of the accident, such as speeding or texting, is the first step in determining liability and recovering compensation. In many cases, Amazon delivery van accidents are caused by the following:

Speeding

Amazon delivery drivers are often under pressure to complete their routes within a specific time frame, which can lead to rushing and careless driving. You can even track your driver’s location via the Amazon website. Corporate pressure to make guaranteed deliveries often causes drivers to speed, which may include running off the side of the road, failing to use turn signals, and disregarding traffic laws. Improperly parked delivery trucks can also pose risks to drivers and pedestrians, as they may block your view on smaller residential roads, leading to dangerous head-on collisions. As Amazon even provides a delivery time window for most packages, speeding down highways and around curves to hit certain delivery milestones also commonly causes devastating traffic accidents.

Backing Up

Amazon delivery drivers are constantly backing into and out of driveways and parking lots to make deliveries. Though most new vans have backup cameras, these are not infallible. Drivers may forget to adequately check their blind spots while rushing or misjudge the distance between the large van and another vehicle. Backup accidents in residential areas often impact innocent pedestrians, including children, who are taking a walk.

Distracted Driving

Using your phone while driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in the United States; however, Amazon delivery drivers are constantly required to check their phones for GPS locations and delivery instructions. It’s uncommon to see an Amazon driver not using a corporate phone while making deliveries. Using a mobile device, including a GPS, is especially dangerous because it takes the driver’s eyes, hands, and mind off the road.

Address Confusion

Another aspect of distracted driving occurs when the delivery driver is struggling to find the correct address. Many homes are hidden behind long driveways or have no visible house number. This confusion often causes drivers to take their eyes off the road while searching for an address, leading to devastating pedestrian accidents in residential areas.

Contact a dedicated Amazon delivery driver accident lawyer immediately if you suspect distracted driving or speeding contributed to your injuries.

Legal Causes of Action Against Amazon and Its Delivery Partners

If you suffered an injury in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, you might have the right to pursue legal action to obtain damages from the delivery driver, Amazon corporate, Amazon delivery partners, and vehicle manufacturers. An experienced personal injury lawyer can determine whether you have claims for the following:

Negligence

To hold the Amazon delivery driver liable for your injuries, you must prove that her negligence directly caused the accident and resulting harm. Negligence occurs when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care, and her actions or inactions result in harm to others. Additionally, you must show that the accident resulted in actual damages, such as a broken wrist or concussion. If you avoided the accident, even if the driver was negligent, you cannot recover damages from Amazon.

Vicarious Liability

In some cases, you can hold Amazon corporate liable for the actions of its delivery drivers. This is known as vicarious liability, and it applies when the driver is an employee of Amazon rather than an independent contractor. Because Amazon uses employees and independent drivers to make deliveries, a lawyer must request employment records to determine the driver’s status. If you were struck by someone in an Amazon uniform and driving an Amazon van, courts may find that this was an Amazon employee.

Negligent Hiring

Though most large corporations perform extensive background checks on their drivers, things slip through the cracks. A personal injury lawyer can request the driver’s driving record to determine whether Amazon or its delivery partners should not have allowed that individual to drive. This may result in a direct claim against Amazon for negligent hiring.

Products Liability

Amazon is currently phasing out its old vehicles in favor of fully electric delivery vans. However, new technology is often plagued by electrical and computer problems. If a defect in the delivery van contributed to the accident, you may have grounds for a product liability claim. This can help seek compensation from the manufacturer or distributor for the faulty vehicle.

Financial Damages Available After Amazon Delivery Van Accidents

Compensation available after an Amazon delivery van accident may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation costs
• Future medical expenses
• Loss of earning capacity

A personal injury attorney experienced in handling Amazon delivery driver accident cases can assess your situation and determine the potential financial damages you may be entitled to. Do not settle claims with corporate insurers, no matter how much they initially offer, before discussing the true value of your claim with a lawyer.

Holding Amazon Corporate Liable for Damages

When it comes to holding Amazon corporate liable for damages caused by its delivery drivers, the distinction between employees and independent contractors plays a significant role. Amazon will assert that many of its delivery drivers are independent contractors or work only for a contracted Amazon delivery partner. This legal structure protects Amazon corporate from liability for motor vehicle accidents. However, an attorney can prove that – under the law – the driver qualified as an Amazon employee, triggering corporate liability.

Employees vs. Independent Contractors

If the delivery driver is deemed an employee of Amazon, the company may be held liable for the driver’s negligence. This means you can pursue a claim against the company for your damages. However, if the driver is classified as an independent contractor, Amazon may try to distance itself from liability. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine the best approach for obtaining financial damages in your case.

Different Levels of Liability

Even if the driver is an independent contractor, there are still potential avenues for holding Amazon corporate responsible for your injuries. For example, if Amazon exerted control over the driver’s schedule, delivery methods, or vehicle maintenance, it may be found partially liable for the accident. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your case to identify all possible sources of liability.

Recognizing Underhanded Insurance Settlement Offers from Amazon

After a serious accident involving an Amazon delivery driver, it is not uncommon for the delivery company’s insurance providers to reach out to you with a settlement offer. While it may be tempting to accept the offer and move on, you should approach these offers with caution. Corporate insurers often try to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible, which may not adequately compensate you for your injuries and damages. However, you will waive nearly all future rights to compensation if you sign for that check.

Before accepting any settlement offer from Amazon’s insurance provider, consult a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer can review the offer, assess its fairness, and negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Simply retaining an attorney can significantly increase your settlement offer.

Call a Personal Injury Lawyer: Do Not Take on the Nation’s Second-Largest Company Alone

Dealing with the aftermath of an accident involving an Amazon delivery driver can be overwhelming, especially when going up against a corporate giant. Do not start the claims process alone, as you may be tempted to accept a quick settlement well below your actual damages. Instead, contact a personal injury lawyer to advocate for your right to obtain fair compensation from Amazon and its negligent drivers.

An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney will:

• Investigate the crash site to gather evidence
• Determine liability and identify all potentially responsible parties, including Amazon and its delivery partners
• Calculate the full extent of your damages, including present and future costs
• Handle all legal paperwork and negotiate with insurance companies
• Represent you at trial, if necessary
• Ensure your rights are protected throughout the process

Remember, taking on Amazon without legal representation is a losing battle. An attorney will level the playing field and fight for your deserved compensation.

The Benefits of Retaining Legal Counsel After Being Struck by an Amazon Delivery Driver

Retaining an attorney after being struck by an Amazon delivery driver offers several benefits:

Legal Experience with Corporate Liability

Personal injury lawyers who handle Amazon delivery driver accident cases have in-depth knowledge of the specific liability laws applicable to these high-value claims. They understand the legal complexities involved in such cases and will fight to obtain the best possible outcome for you.

Maximizing Compensation

An experienced attorney will work diligently to assess the full extent of your damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. She will consider current and future costs, ensuring you are adequately compensated for your injuries and any ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation.

Insurance Settlement Negotiation

Commercial insurance companies are notorious for undervaluing or outright denying legitimate claims. An attorney can skillfully negotiate with the Amazon driver’s insurance company on your behalf, advocating for your rights and ensuring that you are not taken advantage of during settlement discussions.

Trial Representation

In some cases, a fair settlement may not be possible, and litigation becomes necessary. If your case goes to trial, having a skilled personal injury attorney by your side is essential to fight Amazon’s team of corporate defense attorneys. This dedicated advocacy might result in summary judgment, which often forces insurers to settle claims for the highest value.

By retaining legal counsel, you can focus on your recovery while knowing that an experienced advocate is working tirelessly to protect your interests and hold Amazon drivers accountable.

Connect with a Local Amazon Delivery Driver Accident Lawyer

Without legal representation, you cannot go up against a corporate giant like Amazon and its affiliates. Contact a Schaumburg personal injury attorney with experience in delivery driver accidents, to schedule a case consultation and discuss your right to financial compensation. Do not face the legal challenges associated with Amazon delivery driver accidents alone. Seek professional support to ensure you receive the damages you deserve after an accident involving an Amazon driver.