Amazon deliveries make ordering packages extremely convenient; however, as more Amazon delivery trucks populate the roadways, the risk of accidents increases.
It doesn’t help that Amazon has a history of pushing its drivers to the limit, meaning they’re at risk of driving while sleepy or exhausted. That puts you at risk.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery truck driver, it’s hard to know what steps to take right away, to protect yourself and to get all the documentation needed to file a claim.
The experienced accident lawyers at The Gilbert Law Firm in Spokane, Washington are here to help.
Step 1: Make Sure You’re Okay
Truck crashes are extremely dangerous and can result in serious injuries.
First, take some time to monitor yourself and assess whether you are in immediate danger. If you have passengers, check in on them as well.
If you or any of your passengers are seriously injured, stay still while you or somebody else calls 911. Making any movement or attempting to get out of the car could make the injury worse.
Step 2: Call the Local Authorities
If you are able, call 911 to report the accident to the local authorities and request medical help if needed. If you cannot, get somebody nearby to call for you.
When the police arrive, they will file an accident report that includes which party was at fault, as well as their insurance provider. If you wish to file a claim against Amazon for your injuries, this form will be very important to your case.
When discussing with the police and the other driver, avoid any language that could be taken as admitting fault for the accident, or it could be used against you later.
Step 3: Get the Amazon Driver’s Information
Be sure to collect the other driver’s contact information as well.
This should include:
- The Amazon driver’s name
- The Amazon driver’s contact information
- The Amazon driver’s insurance information
- The Amazon driver’s commercial insurance information (through Amazon or a third party contractor)
- The type of driver they are (Amazon Flex or Delivery Service Partner)
- Whether or not the driver was on duty during the time of the crash
- The Amazon truck’s license plate number, make, and model
If your injuries are severe and you’re unable to collect the information yourself, designate someone to complete steps 3 through 5. It’s important to have critical information related to the accident documented if you decide to file a claim against Amazon.
Step 4: Take Pictures of the Accident
Make sure you’ve fully documented the accident with the Amazon delivery truck by taking thorough photos of your vehicle, the Amazon truck, your or others’ injuries, property damage, and anything else that could be pertinent to the accident.
Here are some additional shots to consider capturing that could help strengthen your claim:
- Wide-angle shots that show location evidence
- Close-up shots to document damage
- Road signs
- Traffic signals
- Weather conditions
Step 5: Get Witnesses’ Contact Information
If there were witnesses to the crash, ask them for their names and contact information, as well as whether they’d be willing to make a statement about the crash.
Verify that they have a thorough understanding of the events and would feel comfortable submitting a written or oral statement.
Step 6: Get Medical Help
Not all injuries will be immediately evident at the time of the accident, like whiplash or minor concussions.
Once you’ve documented all the information you need from the crash site and discussed it with the authorities, make sure to check in with a medical professional to ensure that your injuries do not get worse over time.
Do this as soon as you can, both for your own health and for documentation when you file a claim against Amazon or the other driver’s personal insurance.
Keep records of all your medical appointments and bills to use in your claim.
Step 7: Contact an Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer in Washington
Having an accident with an Amazon delivery truck is unlike accidents with other commercial trucking companies.
While other companies typically employ their drivers directly, Amazon’s drivers are contractors, meaning it’s easier for Amazon to dodge liability for their accidents. Not to mention the fact that Amazon is a very large company with extensive resources to protect itself from lawsuits.
So if you’d like to file a claim against Amazon or one of its drivers, you’ll need the help of an experienced Washington truck accident lawyer to support you.
Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers at The Gilbert Law Firm in Spokane, Washington
Thankfully, we at The Gilbert Law Firm have years of experience facing up against big corporations and holding them accountable. We don’t believe that any company, no matter the size, should be off the hook for the physical, emotional, and financial turmoil that truck accidents can cause.
If you were involved in a car accident involving an Amazon delivery driver, contact us today online or by calling (509) 321-0750 for a confidential consultation.
Disclaimer: The blog published by the Gilbert Law Firm marketing team for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice or a substitute for legal advice. There is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.
