Delivery services are increasingly popular, and it's no surprise to see the world's largest online retailer offering them. Unfortunately, with this growing demand, commercial vehicle accidents involving Amazon drivers are on the rise.
The consequences of such accidents can be severe, altering injured people's lives, causing disruptions, and leaving them facing long and painful recoveries as they watch their bills pile up.
However, victims may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses and other damages if injured in an Amazon delivery truck accident as long as it's duly reported. Plus, they can contact an attorney to get the guidance they need to take legal action against the at-fault party and fight for their legal rights. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can help with insight on an average settlement for a car accident while pregnant Indiana.
Who Should Victims Call After an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident?
After an accident caused by an Amazon delivery driver, whether it involves a semi-truck or van, the first thing victims should do is call the police, especially if they're injured.
Although the accident should be reported to Amazon, injured parties shouldn't delay the process by calling the company's customer service line first. This may take too long. Plus, unfortunately, its representatives cannot send help if there's an emergency.
If someone has been injured in the accident and help is needed, the best option is to call 911 immediately. After that, there are other steps victims can take, including notifying Amazon of the accident and contacting an attorney for legal counsel. They can also advise on delayed chest pain after car accident.
Parties that Amazon Truck Accident Victims Should Call
To sum up, these are the parties that victims should call if the accident was caused by an Amazon truck delivery driver:
Law enforcement officers to get an official police report
Emergency medical services to get first responders sent to the accident scene to help injured people
Amazon, through the company's official number, to report the accident (it's important to avoid admitting fault or saying anything that could be used to deny the claim)
A personal injury lawyer with experience in motor vehicle accidents involving Amazon drivers
What to Do if Involved in an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident
Those who have been injured in an accident involving an Amazon delivery vehicle should follow these steps:
Contact Law Enforcement
As mentioned, this is the first thing that people involved in an accident with an Amazon truck should do. Police officers will assess damages and injuries to create a report that victims can later use when making a claim or taking legal action.
Call First Responders
After contacting the police, those involved in the accident should call 911. First responders will treat any injuries and transport injured individuals to the hospital, if necessary.
It's essential for victims to seek medical treatment even if they don't feel hurt at first, as the symptoms and signs of some injuries can appear days, weeks, or even months later.
Adrenaline and shock can also make some injuries unnoticeable right after the accident.
Moreover, calling first responders and getting medical treatment creates official documentation of victims' injuries, which can help them build a case in the future.
Exchange Information with the Amazon Delivery Driver
Victims shouldn't leave the accident scene without exchanging information with the Amazon delivery driver first, paying attention to the following details:
The driver's name
The driver's contact information
The license plate on the Amazon delivery truck
The driver's insurance carrier information
Injured parties should also try to find out if the Amazon driver was on duty when the accident occurred. This is essential to hold the company accountable for the damages and injuries the truck operator caused.
Document the Accident, If Possible
People involved in Amazon delivery truck accidents should also document what happened, taking photos of the scene and the vehicles. If possible, victims can also take videos.
These materials can be used as evidence to support the case and prove liability, which is essential to recover compensation.
Report the Amazon Delivery Driver Who Caused the Accident
Amazon has a customer service hotline that people can use to report accidents involving the company's delivery drivers. Victims or witnesses can call 1-888-280-4331 to do so.
This customer service hotline is available for reports made by anyone who has been involved in accidents with any type of delivery vehicle operated by Amazon, including trucks or vans.
Although this may take time, since this is the company's general customer service line, victims should wait until they reach a live agent to report the incident.
This retailer also allows people to report such accidents online. To find more information on this topic, injured parties or witnesses can visit the Amazon logistics website.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Cases involving commercial vehicles operated by large companies are much more complex than a car accident claim. However, a seasoned and trustworthy personal injury attorney has enough knowledge and experience to handle them.
Any individual injured in a truck accident caused by an Amazon driver can seek compensation from the at-fault party, whether it's the person who was operating the commercial vehicle or the company itself.
Depending on the facts of the case, victims could recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. However, they need someone with enough expertise to fight for their rights, build a solid case, and recover the compensation they're entitled to.
That's why people who have sustained injuries in an Amazon truck delivery accident should contact a personal injury attorney to get the legal assistance they need.
Understanding How Amazon Accident Claims Work
Truck accident cases involving Amazon are intricate. The main issue is that this company usually hires drivers as independent contractors, which means they aren't official employees.
Many companies hire drivers as independent contractors to save money, but this also allows them to get out of taking responsibility for accidents they cause.
Essentially, how these claims work will vary depending on the facts surrounding the case. In this regard, this is how truck accident claims involving Amazon delivery drivers can be handled:
The Driver is an Official Amazon Employee
If the at-fault driver is an official Amazon employee, victims can file a personal injury claim directly against the company. Claimants may be able to recover compensation for the injuries and damages they suffered.
The Driver Is Contracted Through Another Carrier
When a truck accident is caused by a driver who is contracted through another carrier, Amazon will ask injured people to contact that company instead of filing a claim.
The Driver is an Independent Contractor for Amazon
As mentioned, Amazon usually hires drivers as independent contractors. If the accident is caused by one of them, victims will be required to file a claim with the at-fault party's insurance company.
However, many independent contractors don't carry the minimum liability insurance coverage required in Indiana, which means they may not have enough to pay for victims' damages.
In that case, injured parties can recover compensation to cover the rest of the expenses through their own policy by using underinsured (UI) motorist coverage (if the driver carries insurance coverage, but it's insufficient) or uninsured (U) motorist coverage (if the driver doesn't have insurance coverage).
The Driver Is Employed Through Amazon's Flex Driver Program
Some people are employed through Amazon's Flex driver program, which means there's an exception in these cases because the company provides a commercial auto insurance policy to these drivers.
However, Indiana laws state that Amazon drivers must still carry their own liability insurance. Therefore, in accidents involving one of the companies' Flex driver program workers, victims should file a claim with the driver's insurance company first.
If that coverage is exhausted, Amazon will cover the rest of the expenses through the provided commercial auto insurance.
Do Truck Accident Victims Need Help from an Experienced Attorney?
Amazon is a large and important company in the United States. Therefore, filing a claim against this retailer won't be easy. Injured parties should seek professional advice to understand their legal rights and how these cases are handled in Indianapolis, Indiana, in order to determine the best course of action.
Moreover, truck accidents can be devastating and cause painful or disabling injuries. That's why many victims need expensive long-term treatment, surgeries, or even therapy and rehabilitation.
However, an attorney can guide injured people through the legal process and handle every necessary task while victims focus on recovering from such a traumatizing experience.
This is part of what an automobile accident lawyer in Indianapolis can do for Amazon truck accident victims:
Help them understand and fight for their rights
Collect evidence to support their cases
Handle negotiations with insurance companies to make sure they receive fair compensation
Hold conversations with Amazon representatives to resolve the case
Provide legal representation if the case must be resolved in court
Contact Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Today!
Any individual who suffers an accident caused by an Amazon driver in Indianapolis, Indiana, is entitled to compensation. However, as mentioned, these cases are complex.
Fortunately, victims can find an experienced lawyer at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. Our legal team is ready to help people injured in truck accidents involving Amazon drivers build solid cases to fight for their rights, hold at-fault parties accountable for their actions, and recover fair compensation for their medical bills and other damages. Contact us today and request a free consultation!