As online businesses continue to grow, more and more people are having items delivered to their homes. Amazon delivery vehicles are regulars on the road nowadays, and you should speak to an attorney after an accident.
Even though drivers are delivering Amazon packages or even driving vehicles with “Amazon” emblazoned on the side, they are often not Amazon employees. Instead, independent contractors or delivery service partners are hired to make deliveries, often in vehicles labeled as Amazon delivery vehicles. When you sue for damages, you can usually sue the driver and the delivery service partner they work for, but Amazon is probably off-limits. Your damages are rooted in your injuries and losses from the accident. The more severe your physical injuries, property damage, and trauma are, the greater your overall damages should be. Since auto insurance is required for all drivers, and people driving as a profession often need additional coverage, filing an insurance claim is certainly an option. However, insurance is sometimes insufficient and does not cover all the plaintiff’s losses.
Call our Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyers at (844) 876-4357 to schedule a free review of your accident claims at Howe Law.
Who Drives Amazon Delivery Vehicles in Huntsville, AL?
Many Amazon vehicles are blue and proudly display Amazon’s name and logo. However, these Amazon delivery vehicles are often not driven by Amazon workers.
Many Amazon delivery vehicles are operated by independent drivers under Amazon’s FLEX program. Amazon FLEX drivers are similar to Uber drivers in that they use their own vehicles and an app on their phones to pick up and drop off Amazon deliveries. While FLEX drivers must have a valid license to drive, they are often untrained to make deliveries and lack professional experience, making accidents more likely.
Many other drivers in Amazon delivery vehicles work for third-party contractors known as delivery service partners. These partners are independent delivery service companies with contractors to drive Amazon vehicles and deliver Amazon packages. A third-party service rather than Amazon employs the drivers.
Generally, you can sue the delivery driver or even the third-party delivery service they work for, but plaintiffs usually cannot sue Amazon. This is because drivers are legally not considered employees of Amazon, so Amazon cannot be held liable for their negligence in most cases.
Suing for Damages After an Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident in Huntsville, AL
You might have several parties to examine for potential liability when suing for damages. You should always examine the driver of the Amazon delivery vehicle as their behavior is likely the direct and proximate cause of the accident. Traffic violations, distracted driving, or general recklessness are often the fault of the delivery driver.
If the driver works for a third-party delivery company partnered with Amazon, you can sue the third-party service. Often, these parties are local companies that have an agreement to use their workers for Amazon deliveries. Under the law, employers may be held liable for an employee’s negligence if that negligence happened in the scope of employment or was somehow connected with the employee’s job.
For the most part, you cannot sue Amazon for an accident involving an Amazon delivery driver because drivers are usually not considered employees. Since many Amazon delivery drivers work as independent contractors rather than employees, Amazon is shielded from liability as an employer. However, this will not stop our team from helping you get the most compensation possible for your injuries.
How to Calculate Your Damages After an Accident with an Amazon Delivery Vehicle in Huntsville, AL
Even though damages are awarded at the end of a case, we must calculate those damages early. First, our Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyers must tally up your financial losses from the accident. Second, we should review the painful experiences you have lived through and how they have affected your life and overall well-being.
Physical injuries are a big part of your damages. Any medical care you received for your injuries should be added to your damages. Emergency room visits, follow-up appointments, medical aids like crutches or wheelchairs, and surgeries can be very expensive, and the defendant should pay for these costs.
Auto accidents are very destructive, and plaintiffs often lose various personal belongings and property. Chief among these losses is your vehicle. If you were driving when the accident happened, your car might be totaled, and replacing it might be financially impossible. It is only right that the defendant pays for your damaged vehicle. You can also claim the value of lost or destroyed personal items.
Your emotional or psychological injuries must also be accounted for, even though they might not have cost money. Physical pain, emotional trauma, and psychological wounds from car accidents are common. Accident survivors often report feeling depression and anxiety, and many others suffer from serious conditions like PTSD. These injuries might not be outwardly visible, but they should be compensated.
Can I File an Insurance Claim After an Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident in Huntsville, AL?
Filing an insurance claim is typical for many car accidents, including those with Amazon delivery vehicles. In Alabama, injured drivers usually file third-party claims through the other driver’s insurance. This means we need the insurance information of the Amazon delivery driver to begin your claim.
If the driver works for a delivery service partner, we should also file an insurance claim through them. The delivery service partner likely has greater insurance than an individual driver and may be better able to pay for more of your damages.
Unfortunately, insurance claims often fail to cover all of an injured driver’s damages, especially in severe accident cases. Drivers might be able to get some medical bills and property damage covered, but non-economic losses like pain and suffering are often not compensated. As such, many injured drivers choose to file lawsuits in addition to insurance claims.
Call Our Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyers for Assistance
Call our Amazon delivery vehicle accident attorneys at (844) 876-4357 to schedule a free evaluation of your claims and injuries at Howe Law.
