Recent years have seen exponential growth in online sales. Amazon is the top online seller to date and is a big promoter of second-day and same-day delivery services. The implementation of such services has made delivery deadlines tighter than ever before. Therefore, many delivery cars and trucks have been pushing hard to make sure people get their products on time.
With such demand, many Amazon delivery drivers resort to speeding and overextending their driving hours. Frequently, speeding and other common truck accident causes lead to devastating accidents. Our aggressive, strategic Philadelphia Amazon delivery truck accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm have dedicated their practice to representing car and truck accident injury victims. To learn more about your potential personal injury case, call us today at (215) 709-6940.
Common Causes of Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents in Philadelphia
Unfortunately, Amazon car and truck accidents are common throughout Philadelphia; PennDOT’s 2017 Crash Facts and Statistics Report reports almost 200,000 crashes. Most of these crashes led to personal injuries, property damage, wrongful death, and other severe consequences. The leading causes of Amazon car and truck accidents in Philadelphia include the following:
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving occurs with many truck drivers who exceed their shift limits. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has clear guidelines establishing the number of hours a driver can work behind the wheel. However, truck drivers – especially those on a tight schedule – may overextend their shifts, which could lead to a truck crash caused by tired driving an inattention. The responsibility of making responsible decisions falls on the trucking companies and their drivers.
Drunk Driving and Drug DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the leading causes of truck and car accidents. The state of Pennsylvania strictly prohibits operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, since the early 90’s, Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act. Under this statute, all Department of Transportation agencies must implement drug and alcohol testing on transportation employees who need a CDL (commercial driver’s license) to work. Despite existing regulation dedicated to preventing drunk driving, some car and truck drivers still put themselves at risk of causing an accident. According to PennDOT’s 2017 Crash Facts and Statistics Report, there were more than 100,000 DUI-related crashes.
Speeding
Speeding is arguably the leading cause of all vehicle accidents. This is evidenced by PennDOT’s 2017 Car Crash Facts and Statistics Report. On their latest analysis, PennDOT reported more than 30,000 speed-related accidents. Most of these accidents lead to severe injuries, such as brain injuries, whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and other serious harms.
Can I Sue if an Amazon Driver Hit My Car in Philadelphia?
Third-party delivery services deliver virtually every package you get from Amazon. This means almost all drivers who make deliveries for Amazon are hired as independent contractors. Since delivery truck drivers are not direct employees, Amazon can deny liability if one of them gets involved in an accident in Philadelphia. Therefore, you usually cannot file a claim directly against Amazon for the negligent actions of a delivery car or truck driver.
However, you could still be entitled to file a claim against your wrongdoer(s). The state of Pennsylvania requires drivers to have minimum liability coverage that can provide insurance coverage in the event of an accident. Since trucking companies must have this coverage, you may be able to file a claim against the negligent truck driver, their trucking company, or their insurance company to recover compensation for your losses.
After being involved in a car or truck accident, you must make sure to get as much information as possible. If you can, take pictures of the scene. Additionally, gather all relevant information such as names, addresses, and insurance information for all drivers involved in the crash. Report the accident to the police and make sure they get as much detail as possible. Finally, obtain help from a skilled car accident lawyer who can help you navigate the entire claim process.
Remember there is a statute of limitations governing the amount of time you have to file a claim for a Philadelphia Amazon delivery truck accident. If you miss the deadline to submit your lawsuit, you may be left without recourse. The statute of limitations for personal injuries in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident.
Our Philadelphia Amazon Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You File Your Personal Injury Claim
Thanks to decades of handling car and truck accidents, we can approach every case with the utmost attention to detail. Vehicle accidents require knowledge that can only be achieved by battle-tested experience. We know how devastating truck and car accidents are, and we can work to hold the at-fault party accountable for any injuries you sustained. At The Reiff Law Firm, we will fight aggressively and strategically to obtain the compensation you are entitled to. To learn more about your case in a free, confidential initial consultation, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
