CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH NEW MEXICO AMAZON ACCIDENT INJURY LAWYERS FOR FREE
Have you suffered injuries as a result of an Amazon accident injury in New Mexico? If so, you may be able to recover damages and seek financial compensation for your injuries.
Accidents involving delivery trucks may be complex when determining who is at fault. Hiring a New Mexico Amazon accident injury lawyer may be able to help you navigate your claim. If you or a loved one has been hit by an Amazon delivery driver, call our truck accident lawyers of Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation.
What Should I Do After an Accident with an Amazon Driver?
After any accident, you should take steps to reduce further injuries and to preserve your claim for the future. After an accident with an Amazon driver, you should consider other steps that include informing Amazon.
Call 911
Always call 911 after a car accident, even if there are no serious injuries. It is an emergency and you will want police dispatched to your location as soon as possible. An Amazon delivery accident may cause serious harm and you will want to address any injuries as soon as possible. You should also file a police report to document the accident.
Seek Medical Treatment
Seek medical treatment even if you do not believe you are injured. The adrenaline after a crash or shock from a serious injury can mask the sensation of pain. It is important to document any injuries, even if minor, in case they worsen later.
Collect Contact Information
Exchange contact information with the Amazon delivery driver. Get their name, phone number, and insurance information. The driver may also have insurance that is provided by Amazon. Be sure to ask for this information and collect it. If there are any witnesses, try to collect their information as well.
Collect Evidence
Take pictures of your car and the Amazon delivery vehicle. Take pictures of any injuries. Take note of any road conditions that may have contributed to the accident, such as construction or poor weather. Take note of where the accident occurred.
Report the Accident
Report the accident to the police when they arrive. Additionally, you should report the accident to Amazon directly. Amazon claims they are ready to support you in the event of an emergency involving an Amazon delivery driver. Amazon has a 24/7 report line that you may call at 844-311-0406 after an incident.
Contact a New Mexico Amazon Accident Injury Lawyer
Accidents involving delivery trucks can be complex. Be sure to contact one of our skilled attorneys as soon as possible to help ensure all of your damages are compensated.
Amazon Accident Injury Lawyers
It is important to hire a lawyer that is knowledgeable in personal injury. More specifically, a personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle car or truck accidents and has helped other victims of Amazon accidents will be able to offer you assistance.
Even if you do not believe your accident was severe, contacting a lawyer right away can help you understand your rights. Recovering from injuries will make seeking a claim difficult on your own, but an Amazon accident injury lawyer can assist in building a strong claim on your behalf.
How Common Are Amazon Delivery Accidents?
Amazon is one of the largest retailers in the United States. Amazon uses its own delivery service, which includes its own delivery vans and trucks. Amazon’s delivery model utilizes independent contractors to provide fast delivery with low costs of operation. Individuals can sign up to be a delivery driver for Amazon and can even use their own cars in some cases.
Amazon delivery accidents are common, and this could be due to the high demand for drivers, the ease of applying and high rate of hiring, and inadequate training for drivers. According to the , Amazon pressures delivery drivers to be quick, and this can increase reckless driving and risks on the road.
Delivery drivers for Amazon Flex are considered independent contractors and some use their own vehicles. Because of this, many delivery drivers do not receive any delivery training and may or may not be used to delivering packages along routes. Delivery drivers will have to drive in residential areas, which usually require slower speeds and special parking rules.
Amazon drivers may also not know how to load their vehicle properly and may not receive proper training on how to do it. Allowing packages to pile up in the front seat may obstruct their view or prevent them from driving safely if the packages are not secure. Due to the time constraints, delivery drivers may find themselves eating while they drive and avoid stopping at restrooms, which could lead to accidents with other drivers.
Read More:
Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Besides being pressured to deliver packages quickly, drivers on the road are subject to other factors that could lead to accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most common causes of delivery truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless and aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Unrealistic delivery expectations and work schedules
- Bad weather
- Blind spots
- Overloaded cargo
Because Amazon guarantees delivery by a certain date, whether it is Two-Day Prime, Prime Same Day Delivery, or other promises, drivers are pressured to complete deliveries quickly and may work in a rushed and distracted state. Some Amazon delivery drivers are paid by the volume of packages delivered or may only be paid if they meet a minimum number of deliveries.
Amazon Liability
Amazon fights to be held harmless in delivery accidents and attempts to avoid liability. By hiring independent contractors, Amazon tries to avoid liability for accidents caused by their drivers. Amazon Flex carries a $1 million liability insurance per incident, however. The liability coverage is for damage to a third party or vehicle, even if the other driver is at fault.
Amazon Flex also covers $50,000 in damages if the driver already has their own auto insurance that includes comprehensive and collision coverage. Amazon Flex drivers are also required to have their own insurance as this is required by law in New Mexico. The Amazon insurance coverage is meant to be in addition to the driver’s own insurance coverage.
Amazon’s insurance ideally covers all aspects of an accident, but it may not be enough or be available in every accident. The insurance is intended to cover property damage, bodily injury, collision, and comprehensive damage.
For Amazon to be liable, it depends on who is transporting the cargo. An Amazon Flex driver sometimes uses their own vehicle, which means in some cases, the driver would be directly liable. Some insurance policies may not cover the driver if they are using their car for a commercial purpose. The Amazon Flex Auto Policy is available at no cost and would cover the driver, meaning that the driver would have to carry two policies.
Common Injuries in a Truck Accident
An accident with an Amazon delivery truck could be severe and could cause several injuries. The most common injuries may include:
- Whiplash
- Spine, back, or brain trauma
- Dislocated discs
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Wrongful death
What Can I Recover in an Accident with an Amazon Driver?
Depending on the damages suffered, you may have different damages that are recoverable. You may be able to recover economic damages, non-economic damages, or both.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover monetary losses and can be calculated and proven by receipts. These damages may include:
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages due to the inability to work while injured
- Property damage to your vehicle or cost of repairs
- Cost of hospital services such as medication or in-home care
- Any out-of-pocket costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective and will vary by person. These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish in dealing with the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent or lasting injuries
Filing a Claim
If you have been in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver, you should file a claim as soon as possible. There is a time limit for filing claims for personal injury, known as the statute of limitations. In New Mexico, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident.
Failing to file a claim within the three-year time limit means that you will lose your right to sue and will lose all possible compensation for your injuries and damages. Do not delay in filing a claim to ensure compensation on time.
Zinda Law Group Amazon Accident Lawyers Can Help
At Zinda Law Group, our Amazon accident lawyers are experienced and have handled many cases involving Amazon accidents. We have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you determine what to do next and to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free and confidential consultation with one of our New Mexico personal injury lawyers. You will pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.