Houston Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accidents

Amazon is synonymous with its fast delivery service. While getting items you order online delivered within a day can feel great, this model often leads to rushed and overworked delivery drivers who are more prone to cause accidents. Meanwhile, Amazon does everything it can to insulate itself from liability.

If you were injured in an accident involving an Amazon delivery vehicle, you will need a strong legal team who can stand up for your rights against this behemoth. Our Houston truck accident attorneys at The Doan Law Firm is here to help and can put our considerable resources to use to demand the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Amazon’s Delivery Network

Most people do not have to think about how their Amazon package gets to them after clicking the purchase button. However, chances are a package ordered online will go through several different hands (of several different companies or contractors) before reaching the final destination. Amazon’s own website discusses the complex journey a package can take, which can include travel by air, rail, land, or sea.

However, Amazon truck accidents do occur. Amazon has larger delivery vehicles that they directly own and operate, but they also rely on a network of independent contractors and other companies to help ensure the packages can get to their destinations in a timely manner.

Because of the complex nature of the delivery network, determining liability can become complicated as well. Further complicating the process is the fact that Amazon can skirt around liability for many incidents because they use contractors.

About Amazon and its Delivery Service

Amazon is the world’s largest online retail seller. It is worth billions. It launched its delivery service, Amazon Prime, in 2005. Ever since then, it has rapidly expanded its deliveries, prioritizing faster deliveries, which has resulted in substantial financial gains for the corporation. Part of its success is delivering consumer products to millions – often within the next day or two after their order. Today, Amazon delivers about 7.7 billion packages worldwide each year.

To accomplish its delivery objectives, Amazon uses Delivery Service Partners and other third parties to help with the delivery of its products. Therefore, most delivery drivers who transport Amazon goods are not actually employees of Amazon. Instead, they are employees or independent contractors of Delivery Service Partners. Because the company contracts out these services to third parties, Amazon insulates itself from accidents caused by these drivers.

Accidents involving Amazon drivers are not uncommon. The almost unlimited orders that the company processes often cause drivers to be rushed and overworked. Business Insider reports that Amazon delivery drivers are expected to regularly deliver 250 to 300 daily packages and up to 400 during the holiday season. This unrealistic demand to meet tight delivery deadlines has resulted in an increased number of preventable delivery accidents. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many accidents have occurred that involve Amazon because of the Delivery Service Partners’ business model, but one report shows at least 60 collisions since 2015, including 13 fatalities.

To further complicate matters, Amazon uses its Amazon Flex program that allows independent contractors to use their personal vehicles to deliver Amazon packages. These drivers are expected to carry personal auto insurance policies, but the company provides commercial auto liability coverage for drivers who are actively delivering their packages, up to $1 million in liability insurance. Auto insurance for Delivery Service Partners often falls on these companies. It can be confusing to know which insurance policy applies and where to file an insurance claim.

Common Causes of Amazon Delivery Service Accidents

The delivery service model Amazon employs inherently increases the risk of accidents. Common causes of Amazon delivery service accidents include:

• Speeding, aggressive driving, and driver error caused by unrealistic delivery timelines
• Fatigued driving as delivery drivers must deliver many packages a day and may work multiple jobs
• Mechanical failures due to the increased pressure put on the fleet of vehicles used to deliver packages
• Distractions caused by navigational alerts, delivery apps, and messages
• Inexperienced and unqualified drivers
• Improper cargo loading practices that can cause packages to fall off or shift during transit

An seasoned car accident lawyer in Houston can investigate what factors contributed to your accident and who is responsible.

Who Is Responsible for an Amazon Delivery Service Accident?

Determining who is responsible for an Amazon delivery vehicle accident can be difficult. There are many parties who may be involved and potentially liable, including:

• Amazon
• Delivery service partners
• Independent contractors
• Negligent drivers
• Mechanics
• The company that loaded the packages

An experienced Houston personal injury lawyer can work through the labyrinth of various parties and insurance policies that may apply in these accidents and explain your legal options to you.

Recovering Compensation After a Collision

Individuals may be able to recover various types of compensation after an Amazon delivery vehicle accident. Again, the process of recovering compensation after these types of incidents will likely not be easy. Whether or not Amazon can be held directly liable or whether there is another individual or entity ultimately liable could certainly affect how much compensation is available.

In general, Amazon truck accident victims should be able to receive compensation for a range of losses. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Complete coverage of emergency medical expenses
• Compensation for lost wages or loss of future earnings
• Property damage expenses
• Coverage of physical therapy, rehabilitation, medical devices, or medications
• Out-of-pocket expenses are rising due to the collision
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages

How Do You Start an Amazon Truck Accident Claim in Houston?

We encourage you to reach out to an attorney who can help you through the Amazon truck accident claims process. The personal injury statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date an injury occurs, but victims should file their claim promptly and not wait long.

We encourage accident victims to report the incident to their insurance carrier, but this can be done with assistance from an attorney. Reporting the initial claim does not mean that you have to know the extent of your damages. The reality is that Amazon truck accident victims often do not realize the extent of their injuries or property damage until weeks or even months after the incident occurs.

Call Us for Your Free Consultation Today

If you were injured in an accident involving an Amazon delivery vehicle, you have options. The Houston Amazon delivery vehicle accident lawyers from The Doan Law Firm can work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you deserve.

With a nationwide network of law firms and offices in 14 Texas cities, we have the resources to go up against the retail giant Amazon. Our founding attorney and top litigator is involved in all Houston personal injury accidents.

Learn more about your legal rights and options when you take advantage of your free consultation. Contact us today to get started.