Amazon delivers packages across the country on 18-wheelers with Amazon logos on them, then delivers those packages from distribution centers directly to customers in vans and other delivery vehicles – again with Amazon branding on them. However, many of these delivery truck drivers do not work directly for Amazon.
Nonetheless, these drivers are often pushed by Amazon’s strict deadlines and massive delivery volumes to drive dangerously, resulting in accidents. While these drivers might not work directly for Amazon, victims of delivery truck accidents can still get compensation from the driver and the company the driver works for in most accident cases.
For a free review of your potential injury case, reach out to Howe Law’s Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers today at (844) 876-4357.
Do Dothan, AL Amazon Delivery Drivers Work as Amazon Employees?
In many cases, Amazon’s delivery drivers are not actually Amazon employees. Amazon likely works hard to insulate itself from potential lawsuits and liability. One practice that aids this is their practice of hiring drivers on an independent contractor basis or by contracting deliveries out to third-party delivery companies. They are all contracted to use Amazon’s logos and branding, but are not Amazon employees. In many cases, this means our Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers cannot help you sue Amazon directly for the accidents their drivers cause, but we can still help you get compensation from other parties.
Suing Drivers
The individual driver who caused your accident is still liable for the accident, regardless of who they work for. This means that many Amazon delivery truck drivers can be sued individually for the injuries and damages they caused in an accident.
These drivers will be required to have insurance – and usually even higher-level commercial driver’s insurance – that can cover your injuries in the event of an accident. In cases where these drivers are independent contractors, they are essentially a business in and of themselves, and they should have insurance to cover the potential accidents they could cause on the job.
Third-Party Delivery Companies
If the Amazon truck that hit you was operated by a third-party delivery company, then that company can often be held liable for your accident, even if Amazon itself cannot. In these cases, the driver might be an employee of the delivery company, and so you can file a lawsuit against them for their employee’s mistakes. The delivery company could also be on the hook for its own mistakes and dangers, such as problems with vehicle maintenance, practices of hiring or retaining unsafe drivers, or dangerous policies forcing drivers to speed to meet deadlines.
Suing Amazon
As mentioned, Amazon does not hire most of its drivers. However, if Amazon is found to be the employer of a delivery truck driver, then they could potentially be liable for that driver’s mistakes, for failing to properly screen drivers, or for other liability. However, this is rare, given Amazon’s current practices.
Common Causes of Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents in Dothan, AL
Keep in mind that every driver and every employment situation is different, and the following issues might not apply to every Amazon delivery driver. Nonetheless, there are a few potential situations that have been reported in the past that might affect your case and potentially form the base cause of your accident.
Delivery Deadlines
Amazon’s two-day and same-day delivery schedules often put strict deadlines on delivery drivers, who could be penalized if they fail to meet these standards. This can often push drivers to rush to meet deadlines, potentially speeding or driving dangerously along the way.
High Volume
Amazon also relies on drivers to deliver potentially hundreds of packages in a given workday. This can mean crisscrossing the map in an area to make all of their deliveries in one day. Again, this can lead to unsafe practices, such as speeding, eating while driving, or parking in unsafe locations to unload packages.
Trucking Regulatory Violations
In order to meet the demands of Amazon, Amazon delivery truck drivers are often pushed into violations of trucking regulations. Depending on the type of vehicle they drive, commercial drivers are held to certain licensing standards, health standards, equipment standards, and work hour restrictions. If drivers and delivery companies who are supposed to be following these regulations fail to do so, they could be held liable for accidents that result from their violations. For example, 18-wheeler drivers are required to take certain breaks during a workday, and they could be responsible for an accident they cause while violating these rules.
Traffic Violations
Amazon delivery truck accidents are most likely caused by everyday traffic violations. Violations like tailgating, speeding, and running red lights are common among drivers in a hurry, whether they are trying to meet delivery deadlines or simply playing fast and loose with driving rules after hours on the road. In any case, if a driver causes a crash because they were breaking the law, they can be held responsible for the resulting injuries.
What to Do After an Amazon Truck Accident in Dothan, AL
After being hit by an Amazon delivery van or truck, you should stop and collect information from the other driver and any witnesses. You should also call 911 and get police and an ambulance to respond to the accident. If you need medical care, follow the advice the EMTs give you and get the medical care you need at the hospital.
When collecting evidence, be sure to get the driver’s name, contact information, insurance info, and employment info. Find out what delivery company they work for and get the contact info for that company and their insurance policy.
When getting medical care after an accident, it is important to do so right away. If your case is delayed, it can be harder to prove that the injuries were caused by this accident and not some other accident that happened in the interim. Getting medical records of your care can also help you prove the extent of your injuries.
After taking care of the immediate aftermath of the accident, call a lawyer to help you continue collecting information, file your insurance claims, and file any lawsuits necessary to get you the damages you need.
Contact Our Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Attorneys in Dothan, AL Today
Call Howe Law’s Amazon delivery truck accident attorneys at (844) 876-4357 for a free review of your injury case.
