With millions of deliveries happening in a day, Amazon’s logistics office is quite a busy hive, and mishaps are almost inevitable. Meeting the delivery timelines translates to more trucks on the roads as the company seeks to bolster delivery efforts.
Recently, the company has started managing its delivery fleet as it seeks to diverge from third party delivery giants like FedEx.
The work pressures of hectic delivery schedules are felt most by their drivers who end up either fatigued or speed to fulfill as many deliveries as possible in a day.
Road crashes involving Amazon trucks are on the rise, some deadly, others minor. Victims often find themselves at a crossroads when involved in an accident with one of the company trucks. What steps should you take? Will you be compensated for injuries? Whom do you go after for the property damage?
Immediate Steps to Take After You’re Involved in an Accident with a Delivery Truck
- Personal safety comes first, and it’s crucial for you to seek medical attention immediately if you are injured. If not, you can check on other occupants’ safety, and immediately inform the authorities. Remember to get medical attention when you leave the accident scene.
- As you await the police, it is important to gather facts surrounding the accident. Exchange details with the driver, and if possible, take photos or document the accident scene. Some evidence, such as skid marks, may fade or get distorted. It is also paramount to have a record of everything that transpired before the accident, as well as witness statements since it is possible to forget some potentially useful details.
- Inform your insurance company about the accident, and whether the other driver is insured.
- Call your attorney, specifically a truck accident lawyer. Note that truck accidents are not entirely similar to other auto-accidents in that more than one party can be held liable for a driver’s negligence, in this case, Amazon.
When exchanging contact and insurance information with other parties, do not admit liability. This could void your insurance coverage, as well as jeopardize your chances of getting compensated for the resulting injuries.
Do I Need Legal Assistance to Get Compensated?
In case you incurred injuries or damage to property in the accident, you can seek compensation to settle the emotional distress, medical bills, or lost income while recuperating. It is highly recommended you engage the services of a qualified truck accident lawyer to evaluate whether you have a claim.
While your insurance company will cover you to the extent of your policy, it is possible to get additional compensation by holding the driver, and in some states, their parent company responsible.
Since all Amazon drivers have comprehensive insurance coverage, you can lay claim from their respective companies. However, going for a claim from Amazon will have you dealing with some pretty aggressive insurance companies whose legal teams will be out to lower your settlement. An attorney understands the insurers’ tactics and will fight for your fair compensation throughout the process.
Your lawyer will also document and gather records to support your claims, such as medical bills, and investigate the accident with the help of personal investigators or the police. If an out-of-court settlement fails, your attorney may advise you on the way forward, including filing a civil suit against Amazon in which you’ll have to prove liability on their part.
It is also important to point out the legal technicalities that can be present in the event that the Amazon delivery truck was contracted from a third party. But this is nothing an experienced truck accident attorney can’t sort out.
