Amazon has become the primary delivery service for many people for products and even groceries. Unfortunately, accidents involving Amazon delivery trucks have risen as more and more are put in operation.
Fortunately, victims of an Amazon delivery truck accident in Knoxville usually have a few options to recover compensation for their injuries. Amazon truck drivers and delivery service partners that work with Amazon must carry Amazon Flex insurance in addition to their commercial insurance. In some cases, filing a lawsuit will be necessary. However, Amazon cannot usually be sued for accidents involving their trucks, but drivers and servicing companies can.
If you were recently injured in an accident with an Amazon delivery truck, our Knoxville Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you get the justice you deserve. For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Who Can Be Sued for an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident in Knoxville, TN
Amazon truck accidents are often more complex than typical car accident cases since multiple parties could be sued in an Amazon truck accident lawsuit. In most cases, an amazon truck driver will be responsible for causing an accident and can be held liable for their negligence. However, Amazon cannot usually be sued for the negligence of the drivers making deliveries under its company name. Many delivery drivers are independent contractors, while others actually work for Amazon’s delivery service partners and do not work directly for Amazon. Our Knoxville Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can review your case’s facts to help determine each party that could be liable for your injuries.
Amazon
Many people are surprised to learn that Amazon can rarely be sued for accidents involving its delivery trucks. This is because the drivers and delivery service partners Amazon works with are considered independent contracts. Amazon does not directly oversee these employees, which provides a convenient cover for Amazon to avoid legal liability.
This does not mean that Amazon cannot be sued for its own negligence. If Amazon was somehow negligent in selecting the drivers and service providers they contract with, like failing to perform background checks, they could potentially be held responsible.
Amazon could also be held liable for an independent driver’s negligence if you can show that Amazon exercised a measure of control over the driver, such that they were effectively an employee of Amazon. This can usually be done by showing that Amazon provided training to a driver, made route recommendations during deliveries, or communicated directly with the driver to provide delivery instructions. However, these claims can be refuted by Amazon, who will likely argue that the delivery driver was employed by a delivery service partner who had the power to hire or fire the driver at will.
Amazon Flex Drivers
Most Amazon truck drivers are independent contractors and will usually be the first person you look at to recover compensation. An Amazon Flex driver is a self-employed driver, essentially like Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers. If an Amazon Flex driver caused your accident, you can pursue compensation from them, but usually not Amazon.
Fortunately, all Amazon truck drivers are required to carry Amazon Flex insurance. If an Amazon driver is involved in an accident, Amazon insurance can provide up to $1,000,000 in bodily injury coverage for injured victims. However, the Amazon Flex driver must have been on duty when the accident occurred for Amazon Flex insurance to apply.
Delivery Service Partners and Its Drivers
Other Amazon truck drivers are employed directly by a delivery service partner of Amazon. Delivery service partners contract with Amazon to help support its massive shipping operations. Delivery service partners could be large, regional corporations themselves, while others are smaller, local operations.
The good news is that you can usually sue a driver and the delivery service partner that employs them if your injuries were caused while the driver was performing their normal job duties. Although you will likely not be able to sue Amazon in these situations, you can still recover compensation from a driver and the company’s commercial insurance. In many cases, Amazon’s Flex insurance will also be available. Our Knoxville Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you determine what compensation options are available and whether filing a lawsuit is the appropriate next step in your case.
How Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents Happen in Knoxville, TN
Unfortunately, negligent Amazon truck drivers can cause accidents in numerous ways in Knoxville. Some Amazon truck accident cases involve relatively minor incidents where recovering compensation can be simple. Other accidents involve more serious injuries, with the compensation process often being more complex. The following are the most common causes of Amazon delivery truck accidents injuries in Knoxville:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Reckless driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Driver fatigue
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Tailgating
- Illegal left turns
- DUI
- Defective car parts
Regardless of the severity of your accident, you deserve to be compensated if you have been the victim of an Amazon truck driver’s negligence. Our Knoxville Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you hold the negligent parties responsible for your injuries accountable.
Time Limit to File an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawsuit in Knoxville, TN
The time limit to file an Amazon delivery truck accident lawsuit in Tennessee is known as the statute of limitations. Unfortunately, Tennessee has one of the harshest deadlines in the country. According to T.C.A. § 28-3-104, Amazon delivery truck accident victims have just one year to file a lawsuit in Knoxville. In most cases, if a lawsuit is not filed within one year, it will not be entertained by the court and will be dismissed.
It takes time to gather important evidence, which is usually in the hands of numerous parties. Many Amazon delivery trucks are now equipped with surveillance cameras and dash-cams. If so, the footage could be obtained in your accident but will need to be requested quickly before it can be erased. Our Knoxville Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you obtain the necessary evidence to file your lawsuit on time.
Our Knoxville, TN Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
If an Amazon delivery truck driver injured you, our Knoxville Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case consultation.
