Accident With an Amazon Delivery Driver? We Can Help.
As online shopping has gained popularity, the presence of delivery trucks on Chicago’s streets has also grown. Amazon delivery trucks are some of the most prominent examples of commercial vehicles. Although these vehicles significantly benefit Amazon’s customers, delivery deadlines can push drivers to abandon caution. Some drivers may not be qualified or comfortable driving large trucks to make deliveries, while others could be distracted.
Regardless of the cause, these trucks can severely damage other vehicles if they crash. When that happens, the people injured or killed are entitled to compensation from those responsible. Our Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers can help you pursue personal injury cases to recover what you’re owed after an Amazon delivery truck upheaves your life.
Call (312) 236-2900 to schedule your free, no risk consultation. We also work on a contingency fee basis.
Why Are Accidents with Amazon Delivery Trucks so Common?
When the coronavirus pandemic brought on a lockdown for much of the U.S., shoppers feared heading to physical stores, relying on delivery drivers to complete orders instead. According to Modern Retail, Amazon saw an increase of nearly 50% of parcels shipped in 2020 compared to 2019, from 1.9 billion to 4.2 billion.
To fulfill those orders, Amazon needed a lot of drivers. They contracted with third-party services to meet the demand. According to the Strategic Organizing Center, approximately half of the Amazon Logistics staff were third-party drivers.
Who Delivers for Amazon?
Amazon is a massive company and uses different facilities and third-party drivers to meet its delivery demand. They also employ independent contractors through the Amazon Flex program. Drivers for the company often have their work monitored throughout the day and are tasked to complete a quota of deliveries.
The third-party delivery companies are the drivers’ employers, but Amazon still has the most control over their work. Systems installed in the vehicles track driver behavior. Drivers can be expected to deliver extremely high numbers of packages throughout a shift. Many delivery partners have urged the delivery giant to adjust shift demands, allow different vehicles to fit their respective streets, among other requests to improve driver safety. Drivers are expected to follow directions given by Amazon’s app, which has led to accidents in the past.
Who Is Liable for a Crash with an Amazon Delivery Truck?
In the event of a crash, the liable party will be the one who caused it. If someone were speeding because they had to meet a delivery deadline, they’d bear the brunt of the blame for the crash. Truck accidents are slightly more complicated, as several parties could be responsible for the crash.
Because Amazon has employees that directly report to the company and third-party drivers, there can be some confusion when it comes to assigning fault for a crash. The Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. are prepared to work with you to help you determine liability to secure your compensation.
Responsible parties for your crash with an Amazon truck could include:
- The Amazon truck driver
- Other commercial truck drivers
- The vehicle manufacturer
- Any mechanic or maintenance technician responsible for upkeeping the truck
- Whoever loaded the vehicle
Issues with Amazon’s Liability Insurance Coverage
Although Amazon orders its delivery drivers to maintain liability insurance coverage for any vehicle used for deliveries, there are still questions regarding who is responsible for paying victims of crashes, further complicated by contracted drivers. There can also be questions about who caused the crash.
Illinois Comparative Negligence Affects Insurance Payouts
How fault is divided after a crash can affect the payout in crashes involving Amazon delivery vehicles. Known as comparative negligence, this means a victim must be less than 50% responsible for an impact to recover damages. Even if they are set to recover compensation, that payout could be adjusted depending on how much they are found at fault.
For example, say a driver is found to be speeding before an Amazon truck crashes into them. Although the Amazon driver may have the majority of the blame for the crash, the victim’s compensation will be adjusted because they were speeding before the crash. If the Amazon driver’s insurance paid the victim $100,000, but the victim was 20% at fault for the collision, the payout would be adjusted to $80,000.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Crash With An Amazon Delivery Truck Driver?
Under Illinois’ personal injury laws, victims of car and truck crashes can pursue compensation for injuries and damages caused by the at-fault driver. They can sue financial payments to cover their:
- Injuries
- Medical expenses
- Property Damage
- Wrongful Death
- Loss of Consortium
- Pain and Suffering
How Can You Secure Your Insurance Payments?
The aftermath of an Amazon delivery truck crash can be chaotic, but there are essential steps to ensure the maximum compensation can be won.
Call for Help
First, the authorities must be called. In Illinois, law enforcement does not have to respond to crashes with less than $1,500 in property damages or more than $500 if both drivers are uninsured. However, responding police will create a crash report, which is crucial to proving fault in an insurance claim or lawsuit. You can obtain a police report once it’s completed.
See a Doctor
After the authorities are called, seek medical treatment. If the crash is severe enough, you might be transported to a local medical care facility. If not, make sure you go on your own: the medical providers can document any injuries, tying their cause to the crash with the Amazon delivery driver. Insurance companies will work to prove those injuries existed before the collision to avoid paying for damages. A company like Amazon will work even harder to avoid making payouts.
Document the Scene
You should also try to get photos of the crash scene, documenting weather conditions, the damages to cars, your injuries, or anything else to prove the severity of the crash. If you’re being taken away from the scene, ask someone to get photographic evidence for you. Law enforcement could get some evidence, but having your own is critical to holding those at fault responsible.
Get Legal Help
Finally, seek out a personal injury lawyer. Do not provide any written or verbal statements to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without legal counsel. An experienced Chicago car accident attorney can guide you through the necessary steps to build your case. They can act as your intermediary with the insurance company and the court if the matter must go to trial. If you try to handle a crash with an Amazon delivery truck driver alone, you could be pressured into accepting a lowball settlement or tricked into admitting fault.
Call a Cook County Truck Accident Lawyer for Help
The truck accident injury lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., are experienced and compassionate. They understand that a crash with a commercial truck can be harrowing, and working against a large corporation like Amazon or its affiliates can be even more stressful. Facing a goliath company alone isn’t necessary when we’re here to help.
You can rely on our understanding of Illinois personal injury law and know that we’re here to help you secure the money you’re owed after a crash. You can schedule your free consultation with us by phone at (312) 236-2900 or use our online contact form.
