Making a Claim When You’re Injured by an Amazon Truck
The number of accidents caused by Amazon truck drivers has escalated since the company started delivering packages themselves. Prior to this, Amazon used the services of existing truck companies such as UPS and FedEx. Now, deliveries are made by both Flex drivers using their own vehicles or those using third-party company trucks. Generally, delivery accidents are linked to grueling schedules and lack of driver experience. The two are somewhat interlinked since Amazon is known for quick delivery above all else. Let’s look at the way injured parties file to recover damages linked to accidents and how compensation is received.
Amazon and Third-Party Delivery Carriers
Amazon uses third-party vendors who provide trucks and drivers to make deliveries for the most part. They also directly hire drivers who use their own vehicles or vans to make deliveries. The two venues are different. Third-party drivers are employed by an outside company, who uses its own or rented trucks to provide delivery service. They are responsible for paying their workers and carrying insurance should the drivers be in an accident. On the other hand, these delivery service partners do not assign deliveries, control the routes the drivers will take or track their schedules. Amazon does that. Drivers admit that Amazon pressures them to make as many deliveries as they can and penalizes them if they don’t. Amazon provides units called rabbits that track the number of deliveries and the time it takes to make them.
One Reason for Amazon Accidents Is Lack of Training
Any trucking company needs to hire experienced drivers. However, being a good truck driver also includes using the proper maintenance and routinely checking their vehicle for problems. After a slew of accidents, Amazon promised to institute a training program in 2018. The promise was never fulfilled, and drivers were left on their own.
Other Reasons Amazon Accidents Happen
Aside from a lack of training, accidents happen for a variety of reasons, such as reckless driving and poor roads. Distracted driving is an enormous problem today. Amazon delivery drivers spend long hours on the road and often give in to the temptation to use a cell phone to text.
What Kind of Insurance Do Amazon Flex Drivers Have?
This depends on the type of driver. Flex drivers carry $1 million worth of liability insurance. They also have $50,000 worth of collision and comprehension and $1 million in underinsured and uninsured coverage.
What to Do After an Accident With an Amazon Truck
The following are the steps you should take after an accident:
- Take a photo of the scene, your injuries, and the damage to your vehicle, if any.
- Exchange contact information with the driver.
- Talk to witnesses at the scene, and get their contact information too.
- Be careful not to admit fault, such as apologizing for the accident.
- Call your insurance company to report the accident.
- Ask the police officer at the scene to give you a badge number or a copy of the report.
- Obtain the help of a personal injury lawyer who will answer questions posed by Amazon’s insurance company representatives.
Watch YouTube Video: Major Injuries After Truck Crashes with Amazon Vehicle. In the following video, CBS Sacramento reports on an injury accident involving a truck and an Amazon vehicle.
How an Attorney Can Help
Your personal injury attorney is of immeasurable help after an accident with an Amazon delivery truck. At our firm, we send our investigative team to the accident scene. Once they arrive, they interview witnesses and obtain videos from traffic surveillance cameras and those on public buildings, commercial enterprises, and homes. Our investigators also review police reports for evidence of inaccuracies. Once all evidence has been compiled, the data is released to our lawyers who use it build a strong case for our client.
Sacramento Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyer. When you are hurt by an Amazon delivery vehicle, you have the right to be compensated. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can contact me online too.
I’ve helped Sacramento residents in all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic injuries, among others.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/package-delivery-package-box-amazon-1243499/
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