Amazon has become the go-to delivery service for many people shopping online. Amazon delivery trucks are on the roads every single day, and accidents are not uncommon.
Distractions behind the wheel cause many accidents involving Amazon delivery vehicles. Delivery drivers have a lot to focus on while driving, and too many distractions create a serious safety risk. Traffic violations and overworked drivers are also common causes of collisions. After an accident, you can often sue the driver and possibly the company they work for. Amazon is often protected from liability because the drivers are usually not Amazon employees but instead work for other delivery services that have contracts with Amazon. Evidence is the backbone of your lawsuit, and you need strong evidence to prove your claims. Photos and videos from the accident scene, witnesses, and the delivery driver’s work records might all be important pieces of evidence in your case.
As Amazon continues to grow, delivery vehicle accidents will probably become more common. Our Chattanooga, TN Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers will work to get you the compensation you deserve. For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
How Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents Might Happen in Chattanooga, TN
Driving is inherently risky, and drivers must be alert and focused to ensure safe travel. This is especially important for delivery drivers operating large, heavy trucks. Unfortunately, not all delivery drivers are as focused as they should be, and accidents may happen. Our Chattanooga, TN Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you determine how your accident happened and whom to hold accountable.
Distracted Driving
Delivery drivers have a lot going on, and it can be easy for them to lose focus and cause an accident. Often, delivery drivers are in contact with Amazon or the delivery company they work for and might take calls while on the road. Drivers also rely on GPS systems to direct them through their delivery route. As such, it is common for drivers to take their eyes off the road quite frequently.
Drivers also make frequent stops and might be looking for a place to pull over instead of on the road in front of them. They also must think about the next delivery stop almost constantly. Overall, there are so many distractions for delivery drivers, and accidents are not just possible but probable.
Traffic Violations
One might assume that since delivery drivers are behind the wheel for a living, they are held to higher driving standards and are more careful. In reality, drivers often violate traffic laws because their number one priority is delivering packages on time. Speeding, running lights, ignoring signs, and driving recklessly are all common causes of accidents with Amazon delivery trucks. Our Chattanooga, TN Amazon delivery truck accident attorneys might be able to obtain things like traffic citations or other evidence of traffic violations to help your case.
Overworked Drivers
Even though many Amazon delivery drivers are technically independent contractors and not employees, they are still heavily regulated and managed by Amazon. Delivery drivers are often pressured to make deliveries as fast as possible, and failure to live up to Amazon’s high standards could cost them driver work.
Overworked drivers pose a serious risk to other drivers on the road. They might be very tired and unable to focus after a long day of making deliveries. Many drivers have reported working for hours on end with no breaks. Mistakes behind the wheel become more common when drivers are fatigued and might cause severe accidents.
Whom You Can Sue for an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident in Chattanooga, TN
Numerous parties might be liable for an accident, and our Chattanooga, TN Amazon delivery accident attorneys can help you determine who should be named in your lawsuit. In most cases, the delivery driver is the primary defendant. The delivery driver is almost always named in a lawsuit because their actions are typically the direct cause of the crash.
Believe it or not, many Amazon delivery drivers do not actually work for Amazon. Instead, they work for other delivery service providers that contract with Amazon to do deliveries for them. As such, the company that employs the driver might be held vicariously liable for the accident. Generally, the driver’s negligence must have occurred within the scope of their job duties for their employer to be vicariously liable.
Unfortunately, since many delivery drivers are technically not Amazon employees, Amazon is often shielded from liability and cannot be sued for an accident. Vicarious liability only applies when there is an employer-employee relationship. No such relationship exists for independent contractors.
Evidence to Prove Your Claims in a Chattanooga, TN Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Case
You need to gather strong evidence to prove your claims and get the compensation you deserve. Evidence might include almost anything relevant to the case and tends to show that the defendants are liable for the accident. Our Chattanooga, TN Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers have experience identifying and gathering evidence, and we can help you find persuasive evidence you can use to win your case.
After any car accident, it is a good idea to take as many photos of the accident scene as possible. You should photograph the vehicles, license plates, and the surrounding area. You should also try to get some pictures of the delivery driver, just in case they try to deny any involvement. If you are too badly injured to take photos, call for help and wait for the police and paramedics to arrive.
Many accidents are recorded by security cameras in the area. For example, an accident near a home or in front of a store might be caught on camera. The delivery truck might also have cameras that recorded the accident. Video footage of the crash is often very strong, and we should track down this evidence as quickly as possible.
Depending on how the accident happened, we might need to obtain records from the delivery driver and their employer. Many delivery service companies require drivers to keep thorough records of how many deliveries they make, when they take breaks, and how long they work. These records might indicate that the driver was overworked and tired before the crash.
Contact Our Chattanooga, TN Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers for Help
Getting a package on time should not be more important than driver safety. Our Chattanooga, TN Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers will work to help you get compensation for your damages and hold negligent drivers and employers accountable. For a free case evaluation, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
