Amazon Prime began its delivery service in 2005 and has exponentially blown up ever since. Especially since the pandemic, more users than ever pay for the Amazon Prime experience, taking advantage of quick two-day shipping on countless items. Some items are even available on the same day, a massive help for many.
While the service is particularly convenient, the system also has flaws. Because of the rush in delivery, Amazon delivery truck accidents are on the rise, especially in large, urban locations.
If you suffered an injury in a collision with an Amazon vehicle, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance. An Amazon truck accident lawyer can best determine how to protect your rights and fight aggressively for fair compensation.
A Fast, Efficient Service, but at What Expense?
Amazon’s delivery service is well known for providing faster-than-usual shipping on countless items, from medicine and books to beauty products and home finds.
Not only does Amazon have products it fulfills deliveries for, but you can also shop for groceries via Whole Foods, which Amazon acquired.
The concept of Amazon’s quick and easy delivery is one that countless individuals love and often rely on. However, the scheme has a darker side, which puts excessive pressure on fulfillment center employees and drivers to package and deliver products faster.
While some find the service fantastic, the speed of Amazon deliveries is problematic for those who share the road with Amazon delivery drivers. Along with large Amazon delivery semi-trucks, drivers must also watch out for other company vehicles, including Sprinter vans.
In especially busy locations, Amazon also has flex vehicles, which are delivery drivers using their own cars or renting vehicles to make deliveries on behalf of Amazon.
An Amazon truck accident can happen at any time, notably during some of the most busy times of the year. Certain months, like the holidays, usually involve individuals buying much more than any other time of year to purchase presents for loved ones.
While shoppers have every good intention, it’s up to Amazon drivers to safely deliver packages while doing everything to avoid causing collisions.
To date, there have been countless lawsuits against Amazon for injuries and even deaths suffered in delivery vehicle accidents. A quick internet search yields dozens of results all over the country for high settlements and verdicts received by grieving families.
Ending Avoidance of Liability in Amazon Delivery Lawsuits
For years, Amazon has gotten away with avoiding liability for accidents caused by negligent delivery drivers. Its argument? Amazon doesn’t directly employ these drivers; third-party delivery service providers employ them.
In a recent year, someone filed a lawsuit to change that and hold Amazon liable for their driver’s wrongful actions. A 24-year-old plaintiff suffered severe brain and spinal cord injuries after an Amazon delivery truck ran into the back of his brother’s vehicle.
As expected, Amazon tried to deny any liability for the collision and resulting injuries. However, the plaintiff’s attorney argued that Amazon does, in fact, pressure drivers to make quicker deliveries. If the driver falls behind the unrealistic expectations Amazon sets, they’re alerted via text message. The driver was speeding to get to his next destination at the time of the crash.
In recent years, a publication came out stating in the previous five years, Amazon delivery drivers had been in numerous accidents, resulting in severe injury to victims and several deaths. To date, many more accidents have left victims facing substantial injury and families suffering the loss of a loved one.
As long as Amazon delivery trucks are involved in accidents, more legal claims are to come. If you’re in a collision with an Amazon delivery driver, do not wait to take action to recover your losses.
What Causes Most Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents?
A majority of Amazon delivery truck accidents are the result of the stress placed on drivers to get their jobs done and deliver packages as quickly as possible.
This pressure causes drivers to engage in negligent driving behaviors, which often include:
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Driving faster than the posted speed limit
- Failing to yield to other drivers and pedestrians
- Changing lanes and making turns unsafely
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
Other factors can contribute to Amazon delivery collisions, like road hazards, inadequate truck maintenance, or truck defects.
Liability depends on the cause of your Amazon truck accident. Your accident attorney can thoroughly investigate your case to figure out exactly why your collision occurred and hold the responsible party liable for your injuries and related losses.
Injuries that Often Result from Amazon Truck Collisions
Truck accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries to victims.
The injuries you sustain depend on the details of your collision but can include:
- Deep lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries
Along with the concern over the severity of your injuries, there is additional worry over the outlook of your recovery. Many of these injuries have the potential to worsen and develop into other, more severe situations with lasting consequences.
For example, a brain injury can affect a person cognitively forever, and a spinal cord injury can result in paralysis.
If you suffered an injury from an Amazon delivery truck, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden you’ll undoubtedly experience after your collision.
Medical treatment is expensive, even if you have health insurance. High costs often interfere with an accident victim’s ability to get proper treatment and recover from their injuries.
Who Pays When You’re Involved in an Accident With an Amazon Delivery Truck?
When you suffer injuries in an Amazon delivery truck accident, seeking compensation is the tricky part. It can be challenging to get the financial recovery you deserve, and you may have to engage in a legal battle.
If an Amazon delivery driver causes your collision, the third-party company that employs them may be responsible for your accident. Technically, Amazon doesn’t directly employ these drivers, which is why they’ve dodged direct liability for several years.
Amazon itself can, however, be liable for your accident under certain circumstances. For example, if the truck’s brakes fail as a result of improper truck maintenance, you may hold Amazon responsible for failing to maintain their vehicles adequately.
Additionally, Amazon can be at fault if you can prove they pressured drivers into making faster deliveries or knew drivers were violating road rules and did not take corrective action.
A car accident lawyer must investigate your accident and decipher who’s actions or omissions caused your accident. Depending on the situation, you may have a claim against multiple parties. If so, you will pursue compensation from each party based on their percentage of fault.
Filing a Claim Against Amazon for Your Accident-Related Losses
Seeking compensation varies by case, and it depends on who’s at fault for your accident. Either way, Amazon delivery truck accident cases often involve dealing with the responsible party’s insurer.
You can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, providing details about your accident, your losses, and evidence to substantiate your claims. The insurer can conduct its own investigation to look into your collision and evaluate your losses. Based on their findings, you may receive a claim acceptance or denial.
When your claim is accepted, you’ll receive a settlement offer from the insurance company. More often than not, these offers are lowball offers, meaning they’re much less than your case is worth and don’t adequately cover your damages. When this happens, your attorney can engage in back-and-forth negotiations to get you a better settlement.
Even if you receive a denial or the insurance company doesn’t want to settle fairly, this doesn’t signify the end of the road for you. Your accident attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit to continue their pursuit of fair compensation on your behalf.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit for Your Amazon Accident
The prospect of having to file a legal claim can be stressful, but accident attorneys know it’s regularly part of the package. You don’t have to worry about handling your lawsuit alone.
When your lawyer files a lawsuit in court, your case will transition into the discovery phase. During discovery, both parties have the opportunity to request and acquire evidence to help build their cases. Your accident lawyer knows what evidence to procure to strengthen your claim.
If the insurance company is willing to settle, you’ll revisit settlement negotiations before your case goes to trial. Most injury cases settle before going to court, but trial is still on the table in some cases. If your attorney believes going to trial will benefit your case, you can trust their judgment.
A successful settlement is the goal. Regardless of whether the goal shifts to a successful judgment in court, your accident attorney will continue to provide quality representation until your case reaches a resolution.
Potential Damages You Can Pursue After a Collision with an Amazon Truck
Your damages are directly related to the injuries and losses you suffered as a result of your Amazon delivery accident. Damages are economic, covering your tangible losses, and non-economic, covering your intangible losses.
You can recover:
- Medical expenses for past and future needs
- Lost earnings
- Earning capacity impacted by your accident
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your accident attorney must carefully review certain factors to calculate your damages, including the severity of your injuries, how your injuries have and will affect your lifestyle and ability to work, and whether your injuries have had an impact on you mentally and emotionally.
Determining the value of your case is critical to ensure you get a settlement that satisfactorily covers your losses. Your accident lawyer will aggressively pursue the financial recovery you need and deserve.
What to Do After an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident
After a collision with an Amazon delivery truck, you may feel confused and overwhelmed, not knowing what to do. Always stay calm and remember that everything you do can have an effect on your case and your ability to fight for compensation.
The Days Following Your Crash
Your physical health and well-being should always be a priority. If your injuries are severe enough, you likely received emergency transport to the hospital from the crash site.
Even if you did not require an ambulance ride, you still should have received care at the emergency room or urgent care. If you received a diagnosis and treatment plan, you should follow it to the letter.
If you didn’t go right to the hospital, and you feel anything out of the ordinary in the coming days, follow up with a healthcare provider for a thorough physical examination in the days following your accident. You need a diagnosis of any injuries, even if they manifest days later.
Because Amazon truck accident cases are challenging to navigate, you should get legal help from a qualified attorney as quickly as possible. Your lawyer can assist with reporting your accident to Amazon and starting the claims process right away.
Pursuing Justice for an Amazon Crash With Support from an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
As long as Amazon has its Prime delivery service, you can expect accidents to happen more often. Victims often learn the hard way that Amazon and its insurance companies are formidable opponents that try to deprive victims of the money they deserve.
If you suffered an injury because of an Amazon delivery truck, you don’t have to handle your claim alone. Put your case in the hands of a skilled accident attorney and allow them to represent your best interests from beginning to end.
Following an Amazon truck accident, prompt action is essential. Experienced attorneys offer free consultations to victims, providing valuable insights into potential claims.
Waiting may jeopardize your rights and hinder the pursuit of deserved compensation. Get your legal consultation without delay to assess your case, understand your rights, and take proactive steps toward seeking the compensation you need for recovery.