With the increasing popularity and convenience of online shopping, Amazon has become a household name. Amazon delivery drivers deliver more than a million packages each day, keeping up with Amazon’s commitment to fast shipping and delivery. With so many Amazon drivers on the road, accidents can happen. What happens if an Amazon truck hits your car while making deliveries? Who do you call after an Amazon accident? What should you do to protect yourself?
Our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys understand the stress and uncertainty you may feel after getting in an accident with an Amazon driver. Below, we discuss who you should call after an Amazon accident and the steps you can take to protect your accident claim.
If an Amazon Truck Hit My Car, Who Do I Call in California?
There are a few parties we recommend contacting soon after an Amazon delivery truck accident. These parties include the following:
Contact Law Enforcement After an Accident With an Amazon Truck
The first step after an accident with an Amazon delivery truck is to check for any injuries and to call law enforcement. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Then, if able, check on the Amazon driver involved. When you contact law enforcement, you should request medical help at the accident scene if anyone is injured.
Even if it seems like the accident is minor, you should call 9-1-1 to report it. If the police come to the accident scene, law enforcement will:
- Request medical help. If anyone is injured, law enforcement will request medical responders to treat injuries or transport people to the hospital.
- Protect the scene. Law enforcement will protect you and other involved parties from traffic by blocking the crash scene until it is cleared.
- Investigate the accident. Law enforcement will investigate the accident, including its causes and liability. They may interview involved parties and witnesses and issue citations.
- Create a police report. The police will put together an official record of the accident called the police report or accident report. This report will include information about the accident, such as time and location, as well as involved parties and contributing causes. You will want a copy of the accident report for your potential claim.
Notify Your Insurance Company About the Amazon Accident
Your insurance company requires you to notify it in the event of an accident. Therefore, you must call your insurance company after the accident and report it. Your insurance policy should state how long you have to report car accidents to your provider.
However, we recommend only discussing brief facts about the accident, such as date and time, involved parties, whether there is an accident report and property damages. Avoid making assumptions about accident faults or apologizing for anything because it could indicate responsibility. Additionally, do not discuss any damages beyond your car, such as personal injuries, other than to confirm whether or not you were injured.
Depending on your case's circumstances, you may need to turn to your own insurance coverage. Because of this possibility, you do not want to say anything the insurance company could construe as fault for the accident or that the accident resulted in minor damages.
Call an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney After an Amazon Accident
Have you been injured in an accident with an Amazon delivery truck? If so, you may have a viable accident claim to recover financial compensation for your damages. For example, you may be able to seek compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages from missing work.
However, personal injury claims involving Amazon delivery trucks can be complex. Amazon generally avoids liability for accidents by not using its employees to deliver packages. Instead, it uses independent contractors (Amazon Flex drivers) and employees of third-party delivery service partners (DSPs).
We recommend scheduling a free consultation with a personal injury attorney to discuss your situation. An experienced delivery truck accident attorney can help you navigate the claims process and protect your legal rights. An attorney can investigate the accident, determine liability, and find every available route for you to recover damages.
More importantly, an experienced lawyer will handle the entire process on your behalf so that you can focus on recovery. Your attorney will negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, fight for your right to compensation in court.
Other Important Steps to Take After an Amazon Accident
In addition to calling law enforcement at the accident scene, you should take other essential steps before leaving the scene. These steps will help you protect your car accident claim and include the following:
Exchange Information With the Amazon Delivery Driver
After the accident, you should exchange information with the Amazon delivery driver involved in the accident. You should exchange the following information:
- Name
- Contact information
- Personal insurance information
- Driver's license number
In addition, you should obtain information specific to the Amazon driver and the delivery truck, such as:
- Commercial insurance information
- License plate number
- Make and model of the truck
You should also request information about whether the driver is an Amazon Flex driver or works for one of Amazon's Delivery Service Partners (DSPs). If the driver is a DSP driver, who is their employer? Lastly, was the Amazon driver on duty when the accident occurred? The answers to these questions can help determine available insurance coverage, such as Amazon Flex insurance coverage or other commercial coverage.
Document the Amazon Truck Accident
Documenting the accident through pictures or video is vital to your personal injury claim. It is best to gather and preserve evidence before law enforcement clears the scene. If not, evidence about how the accident occurred and who was responsible may be lost.
Our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers recommend taking photos of the following:
- Your injuries
- Your vehicle and its damages
- Amazon vehicle
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions
Also, consider taking notes about any relevant details about the accident that you may forget. What happened leading up to the car accident? What time of day did it occur? Where did it happen?
Seek Medical Attention for Your Amazon Truck Accident Injuries
It is essential to seek medical attention immediately after the car accident, even if you feel okay. While Amazon delivery vehicles can cause catastrophic traumatic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, some injuries may not show symptoms until hours, days, or weeks later. It is crucial to get evaluated by a medical professional who can identify dormant injuries, determine the extent of your injuries, and provide proper treatment.
Additionally, you need medical records to support your potential accident claim. If you wait too long, the insurance company may argue that something other than the Amazon accident caused your injuries.
Understanding Liability for an Amazon Delivery Car Accident
Determining liability in an Amazon truck accident can be complicated. Many parties may be responsible for the safety of the Amazon truck, and there are many different causes of Amazon accidents.
Liability will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding the accident. However, responsible parties may include, but are not limited to:
- Amazon driver
- Another motorist or third party
- Amazon truck owner
- Amazon truck maintenance company
We recommend working with an attorney experienced in delivery truck accidents. Your attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and determine who is at fault.
Common Causes of Amazon Truck Delivery Accidents
In many cases, driver negligence is the leading cause of accidents. Common examples of driver negligence include fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
However, many different factors can contribute to Amazon truck accidents. In addition to driver negligence, poor cargo load or failure to maintain the vehicle may lead to accidents. Additionally, accidents can occur due to inclement weather and poor road conditions.
After an accident, consider contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney can conduct an independent investigation of the accident and determine how it occurred.
What Is the Average Settlement for an Amazon Accident?
The financial compensation you can recover in a personal injury claim from an Amazon truck accident will vary depending on many factors. These factors may include the severity of your injuries, accident liability, and available insurance coverage.
While every case is unique, you should be able to recover monetary losses, such as medical bills and lost wages as well as compensation for pain and suffering. Your truck accident lawyer will find every available avenue of compensation and advocate for your right to maximum compensation.
When Amazon Truck Drivers Cause Accidents, Can You Sue Amazon?
When Amazon drivers get into accidents, you may wonder if you can directly sue Amazon. Unfortunately, Amazon generally avoids direct liability for car accidents caused by its delivery drivers. This is because it uses third-party delivery services and independent contractors to make its deliveries.
Most Amazon delivery drivers fit into one of two of the following categories:
- Employees of Amazon delivery service partners (DSPs)
- Independent contractors who work through Amazon Flex
DSPs are delivery organizations that are independent of Amazon. These Amazon delivery drivers are employees of the DSPs, not of Amazon. These companies rent Amazon vehicles to use for deliveries. Many of these drivers may wear Amazon uniforms too.
Amazon Flex, on the other hand, is Amazon’s platform for independent contractors or gig workers. Amazon Flex drivers are not employed by Amazon and use their vehicles to deliver packages.
How Do I Recover Compensation for My Damages?
If you have been injured after an Amazon truck hits you, you may have viable options to recover compensation for your damages. However, whom you file an insurance claim with will depend on the type of Amazon delivery driver involved, the accident liability, and the circumstances of the accident.
For example, suppose the Amazon driver is an employee of a DSP. In that case, you may be able to recover compensation from the third-party delivery company’s commercial auto insurance. Alternatively, if the driver works through Amazon Flex, then you may be able to file a claim with Amazon’s commercial liability auto policy.
Amazon provides $1 million in commercial liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties caused by its Amazon Flex drivers. If an Amazon truck hits you, you are the third party. However, the Amazon Flex insurance coverage only applies if the following factors exist:
- The delivery driver has auto insurance
- The accident occurred while the driver was on active delivery during their delivery block
Hit by an Amazon Truck in California? Discuss Your Situation With Our Los Angeles Amazon Accident Lawyers
Being involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery truck can be a stressful and confusing experience. If you have suffered injuries, taking the necessary steps to protect your rights and seek the compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life is important.
We encourage you to reach out to our Los Angeles accident lawyers about your unique situation. During a free consultation, we can answer your questions and discuss your best legal options.
Call us at (800) 824-5416 or fill out our online contact form. We are available for consultations over the phone, by video conference, or in our office.
