Amazon has grown into a global retail leader that can ship retail products, groceries, and numerous other items and services. This has led to an increase in the blue delivery trucks driving on the roads, as well as an increase in accidents.
Fortunately, victims injured in an Amazon delivery truck accident can recover compensation for their injuries in a Georgia lawsuit. Amazon drivers can cause accidents in many ways that can affect how your case is litigated. The most complex issue in Amazon delivery truck accident cases is determining who to sue. While Amazon will most likely be shielded from liability, other parties besides the driver could also be responsible.
If you were injured because of an Amazon delivery truck accident, seek support from our Atlanta Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers by contacting Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to review your case for free.
How Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents Occur in Georgia
There are numerous reasons for accidents, but a few are particular causes of Amazon truck accidents in Georgia. The cause of your accident will likely have a significant impact on the way your case is handled and who can be held liable. Our Georgia Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can develop the right legal strategies for your case.
Inexperienced Drivers
Amazon has grown massively, so they are constantly hiring new drivers to complete deliveries. As such, it is common for Amazon to hire drivers with very little experience making commercial deliveries. Inexperienced Amazon drivers might lack the skills and instincts necessary to handle the types of trucks Amazon uses. Amazon trucks are large and bulky, with many blind spots, and inexperienced drivers can easily cause an accident when unfamiliar with these issues.
New drivers are also more likely to violate traffic laws or trucking regulations. Since they lack experience, they might not appreciate why certain safety rules are in place and follow them consistently.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is another common cause of Amazon delivery truck accidents in Georgia. It is no secret that Amazon pushes its drivers hard to meet its intense shipping demands. At the same time, Amazon drivers are required to take breaks at certain intervals. Many work past the allotted time and take no breaks. If the driver has been on the road too long, they could doze off, causing a catastrophic accident.
If a fatigued Amazon delivery truck driver caused your injuries, evidence can be gathered to show how they violated to law. Work logs and records will show if the driver did not take a break or log any rest periods.
Reckless Driving
Considering how Amazon delivery drivers are pushed to complete a demanding delivery schedule, it is no surprise that some drive recklessly to make their deliveries. Amazon has become known for its quick shipping, but this comes at a cost. Reckless drivers might be more willing to violate traffic laws to make their deliveries. A driver operating a vehicle the size of an Amazon truck would have difficulty avoiding an accident if they were recklessly speeding.
Determining Liability for an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Occur in Georgia
Amazon delivery truck accident lawsuits tend to be much more complex than a typical car accident case. This is because multiple parties could be liable for causing your injuries. Added to this complexity is the question of whether Amazon could be sued for any accident involving one of its delivery trucks. Our Georgia Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you ensure that every party that shares blame for your injuries is identified and named in your lawsuit.
Amazon
In general, employers can be held vicariously liable for the negligence of their employees. While one might think this would apply to Amazon, in most cases, Amazon is shielded from liability for accidents caused by Amazon delivery drivers. This is because most drivers making deliveries for Amazon are not legally considered employees of Amazon. Instead, they are classified as independent contractors under the law. Most Amazon delivery drivers work independently or for a delivery service company. As such, they only contract to complete Amazon’s deliveries, so technically, Amazon cannot be held liable for what these drivers do while on the road.
That does not mean it is not worth considering filing a lawsuit against Amazon. Lawyers across the country are increasingly arguing that Amazon manages their drivers to such a degree that they should be held liable for the driver’s negligence. Many delivery drivers receive real-time driving instructions from Amazon or recommendations for delivery routes. Many attorneys believe this should be considered sufficient to hold Amazon accountable.
Amazon Flex Drivers
More often than not, the delivery driver is the at-fault party when an Amazon truck is involved and will be the primary defendant in your lawsuit. At a minimum, the delivery driver involved in your accident should be sued, even if no other parties can be held liable. Georgia law requires all Amazon Flex drivers to carry commercial insurance to cover damages from accidents they have on the job. Our Georgia Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you prepare your lawsuit against the negligent delivery driver and determine if any other parties can be sued.
Delivery Service Companies
As mentioned above, many employers can be held vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence under the legal doctrine of respondent superior. However, an employer can only be vicariously liable if the accident occurred while the driver was working within the scope and duties of their job.
While Amazon might not be able to be sued under the theory of respondent superior, the delivery service companies that Amazon contracts with can be. Like independent Amazon Flex drivers, Amazon works with numerous delivery service partners around Georgia and the country to aid in its massive delivery operations. Delivery service partners can be held vicariously liable for the negligence of their employees like any other employer. Our Georgia Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you determine if a delivery service partner is also responsible for your damages.
Our Georgia Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were recently injured in a collision with an Amazon delivery vehicle, you should speak to an attorney about how to get compensation for your damages. Contact our Georgia Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers for a free case assessment. Call Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
