Amazon is the number one platform for online shopping and has created a new way to make deliveries to meet an extremely high demand called Amazon Flex. Unfortunately, reckless, negligent, and hurried Amazon delivery truck drivers frequently cause accidents that result in injuries. Amazon is a massive corporation with significant resources to avoid paying injury victims the compensation they deserve.
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in an Amazon delivery truck accident, it’s crucial that you speak to an experienced attorney. Working with the experienced litigators at Saeedian Law Group can help you level the playing field when pursuing compensation from a large corporation like Amazon. Contact Saeedian Law Group to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Negligent drivers cause most delivery truck accidents and could have been prevented. While many delivery drivers are safe drivers, some ignore traffic laws or negligently operate their vehicles. Negligent driving by truck drivers can result in accidents that cause serious injury and death. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most common causes of truck accidents include the following:
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Poorly maintained or defective brakes
- Driving too fast under the conditions
- Lack of familiarity with the roads
- Driving while fatigued
- Inadequate surveillance
- Pressure to meet specific deadlines
- Illegal traffic maneuvers
- Inattentive driving
- Following a driver too closely
- Driving while distracted
- Poorly maintained tires or other vehicle components
Most Amazon Drivers Are Independent Contractors
Holding Amazon accountable for accidents caused by their drivers is challenging because most drivers are not employees. Instead, the majority of drivers are considered independent contractors. Amazon has become so large that they have contracted with third-party drivers to meet the increasing demand for package delivery. Many of their drivers receive minimal pay and are incentivized to rush delivery to make more money. The pressure placed on independent drivers can cause them to work long hours, fail, speed, or violate traffic laws so they can fulfill more deliveries each day. All of these negligent behaviors put other people on the road at risk.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
Recovering compensation after being injured by an Amazon delivery driver can be difficult, but it is not impossible. The attorneys at Saeedian Law Group have the resources and professional network needed to thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and determine which party or parties are at fault for your injuries. It is possible to hold companies like Amazon vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their drivers while they are working. However, many of their drivers are independent contractors. Amazon may claim that they are not liable for the negligent actions of its independent contractors because they are not employees.
If you pursue a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney may need to show that the court should consider the Amazon delivery driver to be an employee. Courts will consider how much control the employer has over the employee when determining whether they are independent contractors. Your attorney may be able to argue that since Amazon micromanages its independent drivers, requires them to wear uniforms, monitors drivers with cameras inside the vehicles, and carefully monitors each vehicle’s location and speed, they are the driver’s employer.
Negligent Hiring By Amazon
Under California law, employees are legally obligated to use reasonable care when hiring employees. Consequently, Amazon is required to engage in background research on employees before they hire the employee to drive for them. Suppose an Amazon delivery driver has a history of driving while under the influence of alcohol. The hiring manager fails to look into the applicant’s driving record and hires him anyway. If the driver goes on to cause an accident because he is intoxicated while making deliveries for Amazon, the victim can pursue a claim against Amazon for negligent hiring.
Pursuing an Insurance Claim
In addition to holding the company accountable, you can hold the independent driver accountable and anyone else whose negligence contributed to the accident. For example, if an Amazon delivery driver and another third-party driver were texting while driving and caused the collision, the third-party driver can also be held liable. You can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the third-party driver or through his or her insurance policy.
Additionally, Amazon requires all its drivers, including independent contractors, to carry liability insurance called Amazon Flex insurance. These insurance policies cover up to 1 million dollars in damages from third-party victims. The insurance coverage is only available if the Amazon driver was on the clock and making deliveries for Amazon at the time of the collision. Working with an attorney can help obtain the total amount of compensation you deserve through an insurance claim. Insurance companies are notorious for making settlement offers that are far too low. The attorneys at Saeedian Law Group are prepared to negotiate aggressively with the insurance adjuster while you focus on your recovery.
Compensation Available Through a Personal Injury Accident
Plaintiffs are entitled to economic and non-economic damages for injuries they’ve suffered due to another person’s negligence. You may have mounting medical expenses if you have experienced a significant injury. Through a personal injury lawsuit, plaintiffs can pursue compensation for all the current and future medical expenses they’ve encouraged, along with property damage, lost wages, and loss of earnings potential. Plaintiffs can also pursue compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Discuss Your Case with an Amazon Deliver Truck Driver in Los Angeles
Have you or your loved one been seriously injured or killed in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver that wasn’t your fault? If so, the team of attorneys at Saeedian Law Group are here to help. Our trial-ready attorneys have extensive experience handling complex delivery truck claims. We provide potential clients with a free case evaluation and only charge clients legal fees once we obtain compensation through a settlement or verdict in court. Contact Saeedian Law Group to learn more about how we can advocate for you.
