Amazon is the biggest e-commerce company and one of the most extensive delivery services in the United States. In 2021, Amazon delivered about 4.75 billion packages nationwide. With so many deliveries to make and pressure to make them quickly, Amazon drivers are at an increased risk of getting into auto accidents. But what happens if you get hit by an Amazon driver? Our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers discuss what to expect and what to do after an Amazon truck accident below.
What Happens if an Amazon Truck Hits You in California?
After an Amazon accident, there are some immediate steps you should take to protect yourself and your potential accident claim. These steps include the following:
Contact Law Enforcement After an Accident With an Amazon Delivery Driver
You should call law enforcement after an accident with an Amazon driver. Police will come to the accident scene depending on the severity of the crash. Even if the accident seems minor, you should call 9-1-1. Additionally, if anyone is injured, request medical attention.
If emergency responders come to the crash scene, they will block off the area of the accident scene. Blocking it off protects it from further accidents while responders clear it.
Additionally, law enforcement will investigate the accident and create a police report. A police report is an official record of the accident. It generally includes information about each involved party, witnesses, and whether the police issued any citations for the crash.
Exchange Information With the Amazon Delivery Driver
Only leave the accident scene after exchanging important contact and insurance information with the Amazon driver. You should collect the following information:
- Name
- Contact information
- The license plate on the Amazon delivery truck
- Insurance information
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle make and model
- Whether the driver was on duty at the time of the accident
If there are any witnesses to the accident, try to get their contact information. Witness statements can help to strengthen your potential accident claim.
Document the Amazon Car Accident
If you can, you should document the car crash with pictures and videos before leaving the scene. Photos of the accident can assist in refreshing your memory during a lengthy claims process.
Additionally, pictures are an important way of documenting the accident and preserving evidence for your claim. For example, pictures can provide valuable information about:
- Contributing causes of the accident
- Involved parties
- Road and weather conditions
- Extent of damages
Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys recommend taking pictures of the following:
- Vehicle damages
- Property damages
- Injuries
- Accident location
- Nearby traffic signs
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions
Seek Medical Attention for Your Amazon Truck Accident Injuries
Were you treated for injuries at the accident site? If so, you should continue to seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. However, if you did not receive medical attention at the accident site, you should see a medical professional for an evaluation as soon as possible.
You may not feel the extent of some injuries, such as soft tissue injuries, until days after the accident. Getting a medical evaluation right after an accident can identify your injuries early so you can get a treatment plan immediately. It can also provide medical documentation that shows the accident resulted in your injuries. This documentation can provide valuable evidence for your potential accident claim with the insurance company.
Make Sure to Keep All Records Associated With the Accident
You should keep all relevant records and documents associated with the Amazon accident. Examples of essential records include, but are not limited to:
- Pictures and videos of the accident
- Police report
- Property damage repair records
- Medical records
- Medical bills
Who Is Responsible for an Amazon Car Accident?
If you are involved in a car accident with an Amazon delivery truck, you may not know who is at fault. Every case is different, and the fault of the accident will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding the crash.
Driver negligence is a common cause of accidents involving Amazon delivery trucks. Examples of driver negligence include, but are not limited to, speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even so, truck accident cases are generally more complex than passenger car accidents, and driver negligence may not have caused the accident.
Determining liability in a truck accident case is complicated because more than one party could be liable. For example, potentially responsible parties in an Amazon truck accident could include:
- Driver
- Employer of the driver
- Truck maintenance company
- The party that loaded the truck
- Third parties, such as pedestrians or other motorists
The list above is not an exhaustive list of parties that may be liable for the accident. It is also important to remember that California is a comparative fault state. Comparative fault means that all involved parties could share responsibility for the accident.
For example, if you were speeding at the time of the accident, the court may find that your actions contributed to it. In this case, you may be partially responsible for the damages. While comparative fault does not keep you from seeking or recovering damages after an accident, your damages would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
We recommend working with an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you with your case. Your Amazon truck accident attorney can independently investigate the accident to identify how the accident occurred and determine accident responsibility.
Discuss Your Situation With an Amazon Truck Accident Attorney
Consider discussing your situation with an experienced truck accident attorney from our firm. You may have a viable personal injury claim to recover compensation for your damages like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Most accident claims in California have a two-year time limit, or statute of limitations, to file, so it is essential to act quickly.
We welcome you to schedule a free case review to discuss your legal options. Law Offices of Steers & Associates attorneys focus on helping Californians and their families recover the compensation they need and deserve after serious accidents. If we can help you, you can count on us to handle the legal process and fight for fair and total compensation for your injuries.
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 in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, 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
Can I Sue the Amazon Driver After an Accident?
In many cases, you may be able to file a claim against the driver’s commercial liability insurance policy. If the driver is an employee of one of Amazon’s delivery service partners, they should have commercial coverage. If the driver is an independent contractor, they may or may not have commercial coverage at the time of the accident.
If the driver does not have commercial coverage, you may be able to recover compensation directly from the delivery driver’s auto insurance. We recommend working with an experienced personal injury lawyer for your case. At Law Offices of Steers & Associates, we help our clients find every opportunity to recover compensation for their damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys
Have you or a loved one been hit by an Amazon delivery truck? If so, we welcome you to contact our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers to discuss your legal options. The attorneys of Law Offices of Steers & Associates have significant experience and success representing California accident victims.
Call us at (800) 824-5416 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We can answer your legal questions during your free consultation and review your unique situation. We can also help you understand your potential legal options and determine how we can help you.
