What To Do When an Amazon Delivery Truck Driver Crashes into You?

Zachary Mushkatel | Truck Accidents
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    What you do in the immediate aftermath of an Amazon delivery truck accident is of critical importance. Call 911, seek medical attention, then contact an Arizona truck accident attorney. Your attorney can investigate the accident to identify fault, build a strong case for compensation, and pursue your claims on your behalf. 

     

    What Should You Do Immediately After Being Hit by an Amazon Delivery Truck?

    If you’re badly hurt after a collision with an Amazon delivery truck, immediately notify the authorities and see a doctor. Your health matters most; a lawyer can sort out the details later. Otherwise, follow these steps immediately after a crash and in the weeks to come to protect your rights:

    • Get the Delivery Driver’s Information – The Amazon delivery truck driver might be personally liable for the crash, or their employer might be partly responsible. Either way, you need some information from the driver to file a claim. Get the driver’s name, phone number, address, license number, and personal auto policy details. Additionally, ask the driver for their vehicle registration number, employer’s name, and the employer’s commercial insurance details.
    • Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions Precisely – You don’t want to jeopardize your health after an Amazon delivery truck accident. Follow your doctor’s orders, take your medications as prescribed, and attend all follow-up appointments for your injuries. Following your doctor’s instructions carefully also shows the insurance companies you took appropriate steps to guard your health, which is crucial for an injury claim.
    • Don’t Discuss Your Case – Avoid discussing your injuries or who caused the crash. If you’re not careful, you could accidentally implicate yourself and hurt your chances of winning your case. Stay off social media until your case is over so you don’t post anything an insurer might use against you.
    • Document the Crash and Your Injuries – Write down everything you remember about the collision or ask a friend to take notes. You can refer to these details later to keep your story straight. Similarly, save your medical records and receipts so you have evidence of your financial losses and injuries.
    • Don’t Talk to Any Insurance Companies – Wait to file an insurance claim or give a statement until you speak to a lawyer. You don’t want to say something that might prevent you from winning your case.
    • Contact a Truck Accident Attorney – Amazon delivery truck accidents frequently involve severe injuries and complicated liability questions. A truck accident attorney has the experience, knowledge, and resources to investigate the crash, identify who’s liable for your injuries, and enforce your rights.

    Who Can Be Held Liable in an Accident Involving an Amazon Delivery Truck Driver?

    Amazon itself may not be liable for accidents involving delivery truck drivers because the drivers don’t work for Amazon directly. Instead, delivery drivers usually work for other companies that contract with Amazon.

    The driver who hit you might be liable if they broke traffic laws or acted carelessly. The company the driver works for may be vicariously liable for what happened through the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. This entity could also be directly liable for a crash if its actions contributed to it. As an example, a delivery contractor might push a driver to speed or take other unsafe actions that can cause a collision.

    Car vs truck accident on the highway.

    Are Amazon Truck Drivers Amazon Employees or Independent Contractors?

    Amazon truck drivers are typically employees, just not of Amazon. The company outsources delivery operations through its Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program. These DSPs employ their own drivers. However, individuals who make deliveries through the Amazon Flex program are contractors.

    An Amazon delivery truck accident lawyer can investigate a crash to determine if the driver who hit you worked for Amazon directly, which might make Amazon liable for your injuries.

    What Sort of Insurance Does Amazon Have for Their Delivery Truck Drivers?

    Amazon’s insurance policy doesn’t cover third-party DSPs or their drivers. However, DSPs typically have their own commercial liability coverage. You can file a claim against a DSP and their insurer to seek compensation for your injuries. How much you could receive depends on a DSP’s coverage.

    The story is different for Amazon Flex drivers, though. Flex drivers have $1 million in liability coverage through Amazon. However, Amazon has teams of lawyers to help the company contest claims, and many people struggle to get the company to pay for their injuries.

    Lastly, individual delivery truck drivers usually have personal insurance policies. You can file a claim against the individual driver through their insurance. That said, an individual driver’s policy might not cover all your losses, especially since truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries. You’re usually better off filing a claim against an employer because employers have bigger policies.

    What Type of Compensation Might I Be Able to Recover from a Crash with an Amazon Delivery Truck?

    A collision with an Amazon delivery truck can cause severe physical, emotional, and financial harm. While your compensation depends on your injuries and other factors, your claim could include compensation for:

    Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Claim in Arizona?

    Arizona law requires you to file a truck accident lawsuit within two years in most cases. Call a truck accident attorney as soon as possible so they have time to build your case without an imminent deadline.

    Contact an Arizona Truck Accident Lawyer

    At Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., we believe in holding Amazon, its contractors, and its delivery drivers accountable for accidents. We have over 50 years of combined experience and aren’t afraid of Amazon, its partners, or the insurance companies. Trust us to defend your rights and fight for the money you need. Call now or complete our contact form for a consultation.

    Visit Our Arizona Truck Accident Law Offices

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    About the Author

    Zachary Mushkatel

    Zachary Mushkatel is a founding attorney of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., who has practiced law in Arizona since 2004. He also practices before the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A graduate of the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota Law School, he started his career as a public defender and entered private practice in criminal defense. In 2008, Zachary co-founded a firm dedicated to civil law in addition to criminal defense, and he has since expanded his practice to personal injury, estate planning and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. He serves on the board and faculty of the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, and he is a past president and current member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association.