Countless Amazon trucks, vans, and other delivery vehicles take to the road every day. Unfortunately, some of those vehicles will be involved in accidents and injure innocent, unassuming motorists and pedestrians. Amazon vans and trucks are generally bigger than the vehicles ordinary motorists drive, so there is a high likelihood that anyone hit by an Amazon delivery vehicle is going to have serious injuries.
If you were injured by an Amazon truck, van, or other vehicle, our lawyers are ready to help. We can alleviate the stress and worry that comes with not knowing how you are going to deal with expensive medical care after an accident. Our attorneys can analyze the facts of your specific situation to make sure you bring the correct parties to court so that you can get the financial compensation you deserve.
Talk about your case with our Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyers from Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Can I Sue Amazon in My Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawsuit in Stonecrest, GA?
Amazon has more and more been moving away from using services like UPS and FedEx to deliver packages and is instead relying on vehicles emblazoned with the “Amazon” logo on the side. One would think, then, that Amazon is very likely to be liable for any accident these vehicles get into.
However, that is generally not the case. Amazon uses various package delivery companies as independent contractors to deliver their packages. This also has the effect of shielding them from liability. In law, employers can be held responsible for the negligent conduct of an employee on the job. Amazon does not employ its delivery drivers, so it cannot be held liable under this legal principle. As a practical matter, if Amazon did employ these delivery drivers, they would be inundated with lawsuits daily, so there is no incentive for them to do so.
All that being said, you should not be discouraged from filing a lawsuit against both the driver and their direct employer for your injuries if you were injured by an Amazon vehicle. When you speak with our Amazon vehicle accident lawyers, we can help identify the driver’s employer and hold them accountable.
Reasons Amazon Vehicles Get in Accidents Around Stonecrest, GA
There are many reasons why the driver of an Amazon vehicle can cause an accident. One of the things you need to prove in your lawsuit is that the defendant was negligent, or careless, and that their carelessness caused your accident. Determining the particular reason why your Amazon delivery vehicle accident happened can help to bolster your argument in court.
Inexperienced Drivers
While many drivers who contract with Amazon are from professional delivery and fulfillment companies, others are simply doing freelance work. Amazon has a “flex” program where individuals can deliver packages part-time to make extra money. Per Amazon’s website, the only requirements to be part of this program are that the applicant be 21 or older, have a valid driver’s license, and have a vehicle of suitable size. There are no experience or competency requirements for this position. That means that the quality of drivers working part-time for Amazon is going to vary wildly. An inexperienced driver in a rush to deliver packages could easily injure someone in the process.
Speeding
Any driver can get into an accident while speeding. However, drivers delivering packages for Amazon have certain pressures and incentives that might make them more likely to speed and, thus, more likely to get in an accident.
First, delivering packages over long distances takes time, and Amazon drivers likely want to get their job done as fast as possible to get back to being with their families or doing activities they enjoy. Second, Amazon drivers may have many packages to deliver in one day. Finally, customers are more likely to leave favorable reviews when their packages are delivered quickly after placing an order. These factors incentivize Amazon drivers to deliver packages as fast as possible. For that reason, an Amazon delivery driver might choose to go over the speed limit, which can lead to an accident.
Improperly Secured Cargo
Another reason that an Amazon delivery truck might get in an accident is improperly secured packages. Large packages in a truck must be properly tied down so that they are not damaged and, more importantly, do not come loose and fly out of the vehicle. This could also happen if a careless delivery driver fails to fully lock the back doors of their van or the trunk of their personal vehicle. Packages flying out of the back of an Amazon delivery vehicle have the potential to hit another driver’s vehicle or become obstacles on the roadway. Falling piles can also distract the driver, causing them to crash.
Fatigue
Another reason Amazon drivers might get into accidents is the physical and mental toll of being on the road for long periods of time. Driving when you are very tired is just about as dangerous as driving under the influence, so there is a very real chance that an overworked Amazon driver can get into an accident while delivering a package. This risk is perhaps greater for Amazon Flex drivers. Since delivering things for Amazon for them is a part-time job, they might be coming off of a long workday only to go out on the road and deliver items. The lack of oversight for flex drivers means that there might not be any way to prevent a driver who should not be driving to get in their vehicle.
Our Stonecrest, GA Amazon Delivery Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 so our Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyers can help you with your case.
