The Legal Challenges with Determining Who Is Responsible for Your Losses
Given that Amazon is the largest logistics company in the world, with a fleet that includes some 40,000 semis and approximately 45,000 delivery vans, chances are good that you may be involved in an accident involving an Amazon vehicle. Unlike many other types of car or truck accidents, though, crashes involving Amazon trucks can pose significant challenges when trying to identify who should pay for your losses.
Why Is It Difficult to Establish Liability in an Amazon Truck Accident Lawsuit?
According to at least one study, issued in 2021, Amazon trucks were involved in more than 50 serious accidents in a three-year period, including a number of fatal crashes. There are, unfortunately, many potentially liable parties when you are involved in an accident caused by an Amazon truck. Part of the challenge is that the person driving the Amazon vehicle may be a direct employee of the company, an independent contractor, or a participant in the “Amazon Flex” program.
If the driver is a direct employee, Amazon can typically be held responsible under the legal theory of respondeat superior, as the company exercises considerable control over the driver’s actions. If the driver is an independent contractor, the issue of liability becomes a little more problematic, but Amazon may still have liability for carelessness in hiring or supervising the driver. Amazon also contracts out some of its delivery to third parties, who may have potential liability. If Amazon had significant control over those third parties, though, Amazon may still be liable.
What About Insurance Coverage through Amazon?
As a general rule, Amazon provides insurance for its delivery drivers, with a $1 million cap for damages. The policy will only be in effect, though, if the driver is punched in and delivering packages.
Let Us Help Protect Your Rights after an Accident Involving an Amazon Truck
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have more than 26 years of experience protecting the rights of personal injury victims in Harlingen, McAllen, Brownsville and Houston, across Texas and nationwide. We have extensive experience protecting the rights of people who have been hurt in motor vehicle accidents, including delivery vans and commercial truck accidents. We will use our considerable experience, skill, knowledge and resources to help you get the outcome you want. Free call, text or chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week–https://delapazlaw.com/.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
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