Since 2015, more than 75 people have lost their lives in accidents involving Amazon delivery trucks. The company is known for hiring unsafe drivers and contracting with those who have questionable safety records. Amazon tries to build a “culture of convenience” to make things as easy as possible for customers, working with over 50,000 firms to make deliveries that arrive at your door. Unfortunately, drivers and their passengers may end up in danger. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an Amazon Delivery vehicle, contact Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys to learn more about your potential legal right to compensation.
Why Amazon Delivery Van Accidents Happen
Amazon is a global giant. The logistics of how an Amazon package arrives at your doorstep is convoluted in and of itself. Amid this chain, there are nearly 300,000 Amazon delivery drivers at work to deliver packages. These drivers deliver nearly five billion packages in the United States each year. With so much volume, there will be accidents along the way.
Every day, millions of Amazon packages are delivered from logistics centers or third-party merchants to homes throughout America. These drivers are not always well-trained in roadway safety and are often working under immense time pressure to keep Amazon happy.
Amazon drivers are often on unfamiliar roads, following a route to maximize their efficiency. They could be speeding to make every delivery possible within the time window or fatigued, and you could simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Can You Sue Amazon for a Delivery Truck Accident?
Amazon delivery truck accidents are among the more complex types of legal claims that you can have. The structure that Amazon has created has multiple layers, all intended to protect the company from legal liability. Generally, Amazon will contract with independent delivery services through a contractual agreement, and as with any other type of independent contractor agreement, you may have difficulty suing the company for what happened.
That being said, you are not without legal options after an Amazon delivery accident. Amazon must maintain insurance for its delivery partners to cover damages caused by an accident. You can file an insurance claim against this policy and work with the insurance company to obtain compensation. These insurance companies make a lot of money off their business with Amazon, and they will work to minimize any payout related to your claim.
While Amazon generally cannot be held liable for Amazon delivery truck accidents, courts are becoming far more aggressive about holding companies responsible and not allowing them to avoid liability through the use of independent contractor agreements. Your lawyer would learn the facts of the situation and possibly file a lawsuit against Amazon if they are shown to exert too much control over the independent contractor or direct the route of the driver.
Proving Fault for an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident in Athens
Like any accident insurance claim, you have a legal obligation to prove fault before you can collect any settlement check. The test for whether the Amazon driver was at fault is negligence. You would need to prove that the driver breached their duty of care by doing something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.
It may be difficult to gather evidence of liability on your own, especially when you may be dealing with accident injuries. An experienced attorney can assemble your case using the following forms of evidence:
- The police report describing the accident can be used as a starting point for your case and potentially persuade the insurance company of liability
- Statements and testimony from witnesses who saw what happened
- Pictures from the scene of the accident
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert
- Dash cam or traffic camera footage
What To Do if You Have Been Hurt in an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident
In the aftermath of an Amazon delivery truck accident, your primary focus should be on your health. If you need medical care, you must get it immediately. Not only can your health be impacted if you do not treat your injuries, but the insurance company can also attempt to reduce your compensation because you failed to mitigate your damages.
During this time, you would also begin the legal process. The average Amazon accident victim lacks the knowledge and capacity to deal with the insurance company on their own. You must contact an experienced Amazon delivery truck accident lawyer to handle your legal case.
Contact an Athens Amazon Delivery Driver Today
Attorney Michael Ruppersburg at Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys has earned a strong reputation. At Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys, we will always go the extra mile for you as you seek the compensation you deserve when you have suffered a personal injury. You can speak to a lawyer by sending us a message online or by calling us today at 706.354.1000.
