Amazon is known worldwide for its quick delivery and a large selection that’s pushing brick-and-mortar stores under, and their CEO is one of the richest people in the world. However, one of the ways that Amazon ensures the speed and convenience of delivery is by placing depots around the country and using small, local delivery companies to rush deliver packages to customers. In many cases, this may drive local delivery companies to hire extra, untrained drivers who speed and break other rules to make deliveries on-time.
This quick delivery culture can lead to serious auto accidents. If you or a loved one was injured by an Amazon delivery truck, talk to our truck accident attorneys today. The Reiff Law Firm represents clients injured in Amazon truck accidents across the country and will work to get compensation from the companies that push unsafe practices on their employers.
Suing Amazon for Delivery Accidents
Most of the trucks that deliver for Amazon are actually owned and operated by delivery contractors. These companies may be owned by private individuals or larger companies, but many are under exclusive contracts to deliver only for Amazon. Because they are not owned by Amazon, it may be more difficult to reach Amazon in a lawsuit than for companies like Walmart, who own all of their own trucks. However, because of the way Amazon interacts with the contractors and drivers, you may still be able to sue Amazon for injuries their delivery drivers cause.
Amazon has become famous for its “Prime” two-day delivery. Some areas even offer one-day, same-day, or delivery within mere hours. In order to achieve this, Amazon contracts with thousands of delivery companies across the country. Many of these companies, in order to keep up with Amazon’s demands, hire poorly trained or inexperienced drivers. While Amazon claims to run background checks on its drivers, this may not be enough to ensure safe operations.
With Amazon’s demands for increased delivery speeds, there come risks. Many delivery drivers have actually sued Amazon under claims that complying with their demands is unsafe. Other people injured by Amazon delivery trucks have also sued the company, claiming that their pressure to deliver packages quickly leads drivers to speed, violate trucking and delivery rules, and reckless driving to meet delivery deadlines.
Compensation for Amazon Delivery Truck Driving Accidents
Commercial vehicles are held to very high standards for driver safety, work hour limits, and vehicle safety. Violations of any of these rules may entitle injured truck accident victims to additional compensation, on top of compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a federal agency that writes the rules for commercial trucking across the country. They write rules for Hours of Service, truck safety, weight limits, driver health, and drug and alcohol testing. The drivers and shipping companies that violate these rules could be forced to pay extra penalties called “punitive” or “exemplary” damages if their violations lead to accidents. That means higher compensation for your injuries.
The drivers, delivery companies, and possibly even Amazon could also be made to compensate for your injuries. This means paying for your medical expenses, reimbursing any missed paychecks if you had to miss work because of your injuries, and paying you back for your pain and suffering. Lastly, if you lost a loved one to a truck accident, you might be entitled to substantial compensation for their loss.
The compensation you are entitled to may be limited if you accept a settlement from an insurance company, delivery company, or Amazon. Some of these damages, particularly the punitive damages and pain and suffering damages, may not be available in settlements. Insurance companies and large delivery companies are often unwilling to pay out large amounts without being forced to by a court. Any offers they make to settle may be too low to cover your needs.
Always talk to an attorney before accepting any money for your truck accident injuries. Knowing what your case might be worth is difficult without talking to an attorney about your injuries, their effect on your life, and your needs.
Amazon Delivery Accident Attorneys Offering Free Consultations
This quick delivery culture can lead to serious auto accidents. The truck accident attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm represent truck accident victims across the country. If you were severely injured, we may be able to take any responsible parties to court and fight to get you the compensation you need. Your case may be limited by strict deadlines and the individual laws of your state, so talk to an attorney today about your case. For a free consultation with our lawyers, call (215) 709-6940 or contact us online.
