Amazon ships packages daily across the U.S. Their shipments are delivered through the use of vans or trucks. An accident with an Amazon van or truck, like any other vehicle accident, can be debilitating for your health and finances. Unlike other vehicle accidents, it can be more difficult to recover damages from Amazon.
Bringing a claim against a large company, like Amazon, can be very daunting and not an easy task. Our Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyers have the experience and skills necessary to handle your accident claim against Amazon. At Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, we know how to properly negotiate against Amazon’s tactic and what evidence is needed to bring a successful suit and get you the compensation you deserve.
How Can Our Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyers Help You?
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an Amazon delivery vehicle, it is imperative to prove negligence on the part of the driver. Negligence in such a case can seem blatantly obvious, but it must be proven through evidence. Our firm uses investigative and legal resources to obtain the evidence necessary to prove fault.
We know the necessary steps to take in order to file a proper claim after an accident. It is important for you to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The following recommendations will help start the claim process:
- Report the accident with authorities
- Report the accident to Amazon
- Seek medical attention
- Take photos of all injuries, damages, and harm sustained to you and property
Gathering the relevant evidence and filing a timely claim will help get you the compensation you deserve.
Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident Resources & FAQs
- Common Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Causes and Injuries
- What to Do After an Accident with an Amazon Driver
- What is Amazon Flex?
- Who Is Responsible for My Injuries If an Amazon Driver Causes the Accident?
- How Can I Prove a Driver Was on Duty When The Accident Happened?
- Damages Available Following an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident
- How To File an Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident Claim
Common Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Causes and Injuries
Amazon has spent billions of dollars in recent years to develop an extensive delivery network. This network handles the majority of delivery for Amazon, making Amazon the 4th largest shipping service in the U.S. (behind FedEx, UPS, and USPS). As the demand for deliveries increases, so does the number of delivery vehicles.
Since Amazon’s introduction of Prime delivery, they make a promise for items qualifying under Prime to be delivered next-day or even same-day. The necessity to have packages delivered in a rush, has caused there to be more accidents. Many of these accidents have caused serious or even deadly injuries.
Recent reports and studies have found that the pressure on drivers to make deadlines and meet quotas is a large factor in the increase of accidents.
The most common accident causes and injuries associated with Amazon deliveries include:
- Whiplash (rear-end collisions)
- Spine and brain injuries
- T-bone accidents from stoplight and stop sign violations
- Sideswipe accidents (pulling too close to parked cars or blocking roadways)
- Truck-pedestrian accidents
- Speeding violations
- DUI or DWI incidents
- Reckless or Negligent driving (frequent lane changes, not using singles, sudden stops)
- Property damage to vehicles, buildings, and mailboxes
Amazon trains many but not all of their drivers. The loose restrictions and requirements for drivers lead to having inexperienced drivers deliver packages and leading to more accidents.
What to Do After an Accident with an Amazon Driver
After you have been involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, there are two important steps to protecting yourself:
- Pursue medical care immediately following the accident.
- Seek medical care from an emergency room or urgent care facility (even for minor injuries).
- Keep track of all medical records and medical bills (this will be the evidence needed for a successful case).
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible.
- As soon as you can after your accident, call an experienced personal injury attorney with a specialty in Amazon delivery accidents.
- An attorney can help you better understand what compensation you deserve and how to properly file a claim.
Your health and safety are always a top priority after an accident. Always seek medical attention after an auto accident.
What is Amazon Flex?
Amazon is the biggest retailer in the United States and now has its own fleet of delivery vans, trucks, and sub-contractors. One of Amazon’s primary business models is to provide quick and reliable delivery. According to a Bank of America Global Research study, Amazon has spent $39 billion to develop a massive delivery network. In the latest reporting year, Amazon delivered 2.3 billion out of 4.5 billion parcels it shipped in the U.S., which is 58% of all packages it shipped that year.
Amazon has two types of drivers to handle their deliveries:
- Amazon Delivery Service Partners—companies that deliver exclusively for Amazon
- Amazon Flex drivers—independent couriers who pick-up and deliver the packages
The Flex program began in 2015 and operates in roughly 90 U.S. cities. The Flex couriers are covered by insurance provided through Amazon, except in New York. The Flex program is similar to food deliveries and rideshare programs, in that if you meet the basic requirements, you can become a delivery driver for Amazon. The following are the requirements for a Flex driver:
- Live in city where Flex operates
- Must be at least 21 years of age or older
- Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Have Social Security number
- Proof of insurance
- Pass a background check
- Have a smartphone capable of handling the Amazon driver application
- Have a vehicle suitable for deliveries
- Prime Now deliveries do not have vehicle restrictions
- com orders require a 4-door, mid-sized, or larger vehicle
Who Is Responsible for My Injuries If an Amazon Driver Causes the Accident?
Like most other accidents, the driver’s insurance policy carries liability for any injuries suffered during an accident. Amazon requires that all Flex drivers carry personal liability insurance on their vehicles and the insurance policy must meet local mandates for delivery drivers. Additionally, Amazon offered an insurance policy to compensate victims injured in accidents with their drivers.
Amazon Commercial Auto Insurance Policy comes at no additional costs to delivery partners and provides:
- Auto liability coverage
- Uninsured motorist/under-insured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.
The insurance policy offered by Amazon is only applicable when the driver is actively working for Amazon (proof is required). Amazon does not typically share liability for accidents caused by its drivers.
Sometimes, if it is a manufacturer failure or mechanical issue that caused the accident, the vehicle manufacturer or mechanic may share liability for the accident.
How Can I Prove a Driver Was on Duty When The Accident Happened?
In order to be covered under the Amazon insurance policy, the driver must be on duty and actively working for Amazon at the time of the accident. Proof that the driver is on duty at the time of the accident is always necessary for compensation.
The following will show that a driver was actively on duty at the time of the accident:
- The delivery application is on
- The driver is on their way to pick-up or deliver a package
- The driver is within their delivery block (the driver signs up for a delivery block and then Amazon will confirm the driver’s request—the driver will be on duty when the delivery block window arrives)
It may be possible to prove that an Amazon delivery driver was on duty at the time of the accident through the use of the driver’s cell phone records. Showing the driver’s interactions with the Amazon delivery application will show that the driver signed-up for a delivery block and was actively delivering packages at the time of the accident.
Damages Available Following an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident
Like most auto accidents, victims can seek damages for more than just the direct injuries sustained in the accident. If you have been in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, you may seek compensation/damages for:
- Medical Costs
- Emergency medical treatment
- Long-term medical treatment
- Medical equipment
- Medical care
- Lost wages
- Wages lost immediately after the accident
- Continuing lost wages due to inability to work
- Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
You may also seek compensation for other parties that may have contributed to the accident. Additional compensation for any property damage may also be available to the victim.
How To File an Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident Claim
While at the scene of the accident, it is important to write down the Amazon delivery driver’s name and information. Collect any other additional information, such as photographs of the accident and vehicles, police report number, location of the accident, and any witnesses that may have seen the accident.
Obtain medical treatment and obtain all records and bills for the medical treatment. Once you have sought medical attention and collected all necessary information, contact an experienced Amazon delivery vehicle accident attorney for legal advice on how to file a claim with Amazon’s insurance provider.
The attorneys at Walkup law can help you through the claim process, take over negotiations, and protect your right to a fair compensation either through a settlement or trial. We will always do what is in the best interest of the client.
Contact Our Accident Lawyers Today
Our Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyers are dedicated to our clients and ensuring they receive just compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
The attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger have the experience to pursue your Amazon delivery vehicle accident claim and will hold the proper party(ies) liable. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, call the Walkup firm at (415) 981-7210 or contact us online. Arrange a free consultation where our attorneys can review your case and help explain your options.
