What to Know About Amazon Delivery Driver Accidents in Texas

 Posted on December 28, 2022 in Car Accident

As the holiday season wraps up, Amazon delivery drivers are zipping around neighborhoods all over the country, delivering last-minute gifts and packages for excited consumers of all ages. Unfortunately, due to their sheer abundance on the road, Amazon driver accidents have increased. With consumer demand soaring and more Amazon delivery trucks on the road than ever, what is causing these car accidents? Furthermore, what should you do if you experience an accident with an Amazon driver?

Suppose you have been involved in an accident involving an Amazon delivery driver. In that case, it is worth consulting with an experienced attorney who has dealt with Amazon driver accidents before and knows how to pursue the compensation that may be allocated to individuals affected by such accidents. 

What Are the Primary Causes of Amazon Driver Accidents? 

According to CNBC, in 2021, one in five Amazon delivery drivers suffered injuries related to their job, many of which occurred in vehicle accidents. For those who are not Amazon delivery drivers, it may be hard-pressed to imagine what it is like to deliver hundreds of packages daily. Nonetheless, like all other drivers on the road, Amazon delivery drivers must practice caution and reasonable care to avoid causing accidents. Unfortunately, when proper care is not met, accidents can happen. These accidents may be caused by the following:

• Excessive expectations – Especially around the holidays, Amazon delivery drivers follow a very tight schedule and thus are often expected to deliver hundreds of packages in a single day. When someone operating a motor vehicle is rushing, drivers become prone to mistakes the more they rush. Errors may include speeding, backing up without looking, running through red lights or stop signs, or aggressively driving. 

• Inadequate training – You may be surprised to learn that many Amazon drivers are not employees but independent contractors. As a result, turnover is high, and many drivers may be relatively new and inexperienced. With inexperience comes unfamiliarity with driving routes, which can lead to drivers becoming lost, continually increasing the chance they will make a driving error.

• Distracted driving - This is a problem faced by innumerable drivers out on the road, not just Amazon delivery drivers. That being said, Amazon delivery drivers may be more prone to distracted driving because they not only have to deal with the distraction of their cellphone, but the distraction of reading route information while driving can add another layer of danger to the entire delivery and driving process. 

After an Accident Occurs, Where Can Compensation Come From? 

Since many Amazon delivery drivers are independent contractors and not employees of Amazon, can Amazon escape liability for one of their drivers causing an accident? Unfortunately, yes. Nevertheless, Amazon offers supplemental car insurance for their drivers, which can cover up to $1,000,000 in coverage for their drivers. In addition, Amazon does require their drivers to have personal car insurance. This means if you get into an accident with an Amazon driver, you may be able to receive compensation right from the driver’s private car insurance, just like other car accident scenarios. Lastly, Texas law requires drivers of services like Uber, DoorDash, and Amazon to carry car insurance policies with higher policy limits than Texas requires for noncommercial drivers. 

Contact a Dallas County Amazon Driver Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in an Amazon driver accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Fort Worth Amazon driver accident lawyer with Clark Law Group. Call 469-906-2266 today for a comprehensive consultation.

Source:

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/24/study-nearly-one-in-five-amazon-drivers-suffered-injuries-in-2021.html