Were you injured in an Amazon delivery accident? Was the delivery driver negligent? If so, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses you suffered due to their negligence. However, obtaining the compensation you deserve can be difficult when you go up against the world’s largest retailer. Caruso Law Offices is here to help you navigate this complex claims process.
Amazon Delivery Model
Amazon delivered approximately 5.9 billion packages in 2023. Many of these packages are delivered in vehicles that depict the Amazon Prime logo. However, the drivers are often not direct employees of Amazon. Instead, they may work for a delivery service partner since the company uses more than 3,500 such partners to deliver their packages across 19 countries.
This is an important distinction because Amazon may not be legally liable for the actions of other companies’ employees or independent contractors. In many cases, employers are held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees due to a legal principle called respondeat superior, but this does not apply when the negligent person is an independent contractor.
Despite this legal separation, Amazon is entangled in delivering its packages. Amazon outsources a fleet of vehicles to third parties. Delivery service partners can lease vehicles branded with Amazon’s logos or use their personal vehicles. Amazon controls drivers’ routes and their operations. It boasts of investing more than $8 billion in technology in the vehicles. It controls the equipment in the vehicle, the driver’s uniform, and the software that instructs them where to deliver the packages. It also trains drivers on how to handle accidents.
Common Causes of Amazon Delivery Accidents
One of the most appealing aspects of Amazon to customers is the ability to get their packages quickly. However, this unrealistic delivery standard poses a risk to public safety. This standard imposes intense pressure on drivers to make deliveries as quickly as possible. These standards are more likely to increase the likelihood of delivery accidents because of causes such as:
- Speeding
- Fatigue from working long hours while taking infrequent breaks
- Unqualified drivers
- Following too closely
- Parking unsafely
- Backing out of driveways without checking for other vehicles
- Making sudden stops or maneuvers to avoid missing their destination
- Distractions from phones, vehicle controls, or other sources
- Mechanical problems or poor vehicle maintenance
- Unsafe cargo loading practices that result in imbalances or shifts in the load
- Changing lanes without checking blind spots
An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate your case to determine how it happened and who is responsible for it.
Who Is Responsible for Amazon Delivery Accidents?
Multiple parties may be responsible for Amazon delivery accidents, including:
- The delivery company that employs the driver, which is responsible for maintaining insurance on its drivers
- The delivery driver, who is responsible for maintaining auto insurance
- Other drivers who cause a chain reaction accident
Insurance is typically secondary to a driver’s personal liability policy. However, this personal policy may deny the claim if the insurance company determines the driver was working at the time of the collision. An experienced Amazon delivery driver accident lawyer can obtain information about the various insurance policies in place and help file necessary claims.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Albuquerque for Help with Your Legal Claim
Car accident claims that involve Amazon are often more complex than typical car accident claims. An experienced Albuquerque semi truck accident lawyer from Caruso Law Offices can analyze your situation, determine the party responsible for the accident, and identify the insurance policies that apply. Contact us for a free case review.