Amazon trucks have become a common sight on Mississippi roads as the company’s popularity has exploded over the last few years. However, accidents involving Amazon trucks have also become more common.
Fortunately, a Mississippi Amazon delivery truck accident lawyer can help you determine the best paths to compensation. Amazon truck accident cases can be complex since there are multiple parties involved. The driver that hit you can usually be held responsible but suing Amazon directly is more challenging. Amazon will be protected from a lawsuit in many cases since its drivers are considered independent contractors. However, there are still multiple options available for compensation for your damages.
If you were recently injured in an accident with an Amazon delivery truck, our Mississippi 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.
Common Causes of Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents in Mississippi
Car accidents can happen for many reasons, but Amazon truck drivers are more likely to cause an accident in Mississippi, given how many are in operation daily. How your Amazon truck accident occurred can impact your options for compensation and who should be held liable. The following are common causes of Amazon delivery truck accidents in Mississippi:
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Texting or using the phone while driving
- Driver fatigue
- Inexperienced drivers
- Speeding
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Tailgating
- Illegal left turns
- Defective car parts
Many Amazon drivers are inexperienced contractors that might not be as skilled in operating a large delivery truck as other delivery services. Fortunately, our Mississippi Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you regardless of how your accident occurred.
Determining Liability for an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident in Mississippi
It can be challenging to determine who is liable after an amazon delivery truck accident. While the driver can usually be held responsible, suing Amazon for an accident is more difficult. In most cases, Amazon will be shielded from liability for accidents their trucks are involved in. However, the Amazon truck that injured you could work for a local delivery service that can be held accountable.
Amazon
Because Amazon contracts with Flex drivers and delivery service partners, they will likely not be able to be held liable for an accident caused by an Amazon delivery truck. Independent contractors are not considered traditional employees and do not fall under the direct supervision of Amazon. Thus, Amazon cannot be held responsible for their contractors like typical companies can for their negligent employees.
However, Amazon could be held liable for an independent driver’s negligence if you can show that Amazon exercised so much control over the driver that they were effectively an employee of Amazon. Suppose Amazon provided training to a driver, made route recommendations during deliveries, or communicated directly with the driver to relay delivery instructions. In that case, Amazon might be able to be named in your lawsuit. If the Flex driver is employed by a delivery service partner, though, Amazon can usually argue against this claim since the driver can be hired or fired at will by the delivery service partner. Our Mississippi Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you determine if Amazon played a role in your injuries and whether they can be sued for damages.
Amazon Drivers
Amazon employs what is known as Flex drivers, which help Amazon with its massive shipping demands. Amazon Flex drivers are considered independent contractors, like Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers, and are not employed directly by Amazon. Because of the independent contractor status of their drivers, Amazon cannot typically be held liable for the negligence of the Amazon Flex driver delivering on their behalf. However, suppose the Amazon truck driver was employed by a local or regional delivery service that contracts with Amazon. In that case, the delivery service can usually be held liable with their driver for causing an accident.
Delivery Service Partner Drivers
In most cases, it will be the delivery service partner that Amazon contracts with that will be directly liable for the conduct of an Amazon Flex driver. Delivery service partners are local and regional companies that contract with Amazon to help fulfill its shipping orders. Under the theory of vicarious liability, a local delivery service partner can be held liable for the negligence of their drivers if the accident occurred while they were performing their normal job functions. In this situation, you can likely sue the driver and the delivery service partner but will be barred from naming Amazon as a party.
Recovering Compensation for a Mississippi Amazon Delivery Truck Accident
Mississippi is an at-fault state, meaning you can file a lawsuit against an at-fault party for the injuries they caused. In an Amazon delivery truck accident, you can sue the delivery driver and delivery service partner for damages without filing for insurance if you choose. While a lawsuit will usually be the best option to recover compensation, Amazon provides insurance coverage for accidents involving Amazon delivery trucks.
Independent contractors must carry Amazon Flex insurance, which provides up to $1,000,000 in bodily injury coverage for victims injured by an Amazon delivery truck driver. However, the Flex driver must have been on duty and making deliveries when they caused the accident for Amazon’s insurance to apply. You could also file an insurance claim with the driver’s and delivery service partner’s insurance.
Even with high policy limits, insurance might not be enough to compensate you for your injuries. Fortunately, you can file a lawsuit to recover additional damages where insurance is insufficient. While a lawsuit might take more time to complete that an insurance claim, it is the best strategy to make sure you are treated fairly and recover the full compensation you deserve. Our Mississippi Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you determine the best options to recover compensation for your injuries.
Our Mississippi Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured by an Amazon delivery truck driver, our Mississippi Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help determine the parties responsible and hold them accountable. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case evaluation.
