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Washington Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer
Amazon delivers millions of packages every day, and delivery trucks are a common sight in Washington. Any collision can lead to bodily injuries and fears about your future. Medical bills and other expenses can strain your budget at a time when you are in too much pain to work as many hours as you used to. You might feel anger that another driver crashed into you and worry that no one believes your injuries are serious.
Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC to speak with an Amazon delivery truck accident lawyer in Washington. Our experienced legal team has brought injury claims and fought for meaningful compensation for our clients. We can identify which evidence is helpful for a claim and address insurance company demands. Our consultations are free.
Who Is Legally Responsible for My Amazon Delivery Van Accident?
One of the most confusing issues is determining who is legally responsible for the accident. When an Amazon delivery van crashes, the liable party could be the driver, a contractor, Amazon, or another party.
Delivery Driver
A delivery driver might cause an accident because they did not use reasonable care while driving. Delivery drivers usually face tight deadlines or might be unfamiliar with the area. They can cause accidents by engaging in dangerous or careless acts, including:
- Backing up without checking blind spots,
- Cutting off a vehicle,
- Speeding,
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign,
- Following too closely, or
- Driving while fatigued.
Our firm can analyze the facts to determine an Amazon driver’s accident liability. Call our office as soon as possible after an accident.
Contractor
Amazon often contracts with third parties to make deliveries. These companies are called Delivery Service Partners (DSPs). Amazon typically uses DSPs to handle the last few miles for a delivery.
Sometimes a DSP is liable for an accident involving an Amazon truck or van. If the driver is a DSP employee, the contractor might be liable under Washington law as the employer if the driver caused the crash while working.
In other situations, a DSP owns or controls the truck or van involved in your crash. If so, the DSP should perform reasonable maintenance, including fixing known safety hazards. If they fail to do so, the DSP contractor could be liable if a resulting mechanical problem contributes to the crash.
Amazon
Amazon employs direct employees who handle delivery, so the company might be a defendant if one of those drivers causes a crash while working. The company also might be liable if Amazon fails to maintain a vehicle under its control and a mechanical issue leads to an accident.
Another Party
Other people, including motorists, mechanics, and other maintenance providers, can cause or contribute to accidents. We can present a claim to them or their insurer if we have evidence that another party’s negligence led to your accident.
When Can I Sue Amazon After an Accident?
You can sue Amazon if it is legally responsible for your accident. The fact that you were hit by a van with Amazon signage does not mean the company is necessarily responsible. Under Washington law, a company usually is not liable for accidents caused by an independent contractor, including DSPs.
However, there are exceptions to this general rule. Amazon might have liability in certain situations:
- Amazon negligently contracted with a DSP. Amazon could have knowingly hired a DSP with a dangerous safety record. Amazon’s negligence in this situation could make it liable for a crash if the hiring decision contributed to the harm.
- Amazon retained control over deliveries. Even if Amazon uses a contractor, it could be liable if they exercised sufficient control over how deliveries are performed. This is a factual question, which a lawyer can analyze.
- Amazon encouraged violations of the law. The company could have pressured its direct employees to drive for too long or text while driving, thereby contributing to the crash.
- Amazon negligently hired or supervised a direct employee. Some direct employees transport Amazon packages. Amazon might be liable when its employee negligently causes an accident in the scope of employment.
An Amazon truck accident attorney can analyze evidence to determine whether Amazon may share legal responsibility for the accident.
How Do You Analyze Amazon Driver Accident Liability?
The driver might not readily admit to driving carelessly. Our firm can look at various pieces of evidence to determine whether the driver is responsible.
Some evidence we rely on includes:
- Driver logs;
- Data from the truck or van, if available;
- The driver’s statements to the police or to other parties;
- Any available alcohol or drug test results; and
- The driver’s cell phone data, if available.
Under Washington law, if a driver is liable, then their employer might also be liable by virtue of the employment relationship. Our goal is to seek accountability from all defendants who contributed to your accident and injuries.
What Evidence Can Help with My Amazon DSP Accident Claim?
We can bring an injury claim against an Amazon DSP if we have proof that it or one of its employees or agents caused the crash. Often, that means the delivery driver made a mistake behind the wheel, leading to a collision.
Factual disputes arise when the delivery driver blames you for the accident or otherwise denies liability. Our lawyers can use the evidence to show the DSP or its employee is at fault, including:
- Your memories of the crash. Write down what you remember as soon as you can. For example, you might remember the Amazon van lunged into traffic, leaving you no time to avoid a crash.
- Witness statements. Talk to any witnesses who saw the accident. Their perspective may help clarify what happened. Ask for a method of contact, so your lawyer can follow up with them.
- Photographs of the vehicles involved. If safe to do so, walk around the vehicles and take pictures from all sides. These photographs can show how the vehicles came together.
- Video of the accident. The crash might be captured on a Ring camera or business surveillance video. Another driver could have a dash camera that recorded the crash, allowing us to see how it unfolded.
It is okay if you are too injured to gather this evidence immediately after the crash. Call a delivery truck accident lawyer in Washington as soon as possible. Our firm can offer guidance on preserving useful evidence and begin an investigation to find any evidence that may have been overlooked.
Why Is an Insurance Claim So Complicated?
Complications arise regarding liability for the crash. Amazon is not liable simply because its sticker is on the van or your package. Suing Amazon if it does not have liability can delay your claim.
Delivery vans are large and can cause more significant injuries. Our clients are often in pain and unable to negotiate on their own. They need an established firm to guide them through the claims process.
When injuries are severe, identifying every responsible party and available source of coverage becomes especially important. Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner to discuss an Amazon DSP accident claim or a claim against another defendant.
How Much Is My Injury Claim Worth?
Our clients have many economic expenses tied to the crash, and their injuries disrupt their lives in innumerable ways. We can often seek compensation for economic and noneconomic losses.
Calculating Economic Losses
Some losses following an accident are economic in nature:
- Medical treatment, including ambulance transportation, surgery, prescription medication, rehabilitation, and doctor’s visits;
- Car repairs or replacing a totaled vehicle; and
- Lost wages or income if your injuries limit your ability to work.
You might also receive compensation for reasonably certain future losses, such as ongoing medical treatment or diminished earning capacity.
Analyzing Noneconomic Losses
An accident can also diminish your quality of life. We can seek compensation for:
- Mental distress, including depression or anxiety;
- Bodily pain; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
The amount of compensation for noneconomic losses will depend on the impact of your injuries on your life. As an example, someone who is permanently disabled can usually request more compensation for this life-changing accident. Our firm will walk you through how to document bodily pain and mental anguish.
What Questions Should I Ask a Lawyer in a Consultation?
It is crucial that injured motorists hire a lawyer they trust. We recommend scheduling a consultation to discuss your accident and ask the lawyer questions. Some questions include:
- Can I sue Amazon after an accident with one of its trucks?
- Who else could be a defendant in my case?
- What should I do if I don’t feel I am healing after the crash?
- How can I document my pain and suffering?
- How much compensation might I receive for my injuries?
Listen closely to how clearly the lawyer answers your questions. A lawyer who understands Amazon’s relationship with DSPs will not automatically blame Amazon for the crash. A lawyer should also provide an overview of possible defendants and timelines for bringing a claim.
A Washington attorney should never promise a result, but they can speak authoritatively about their experience helping accident victims with similar injuries.
What Are the Risks of Handling My Claim By Myself?
Anyone injured in an Amazon delivery van accident could handle their own legal claim, but there are risks:
- The defendant’s insurer could blame you for the accident. Washington’s contributory fault law applies to Amazon delivery accidents. If you are partially to blame, your damages may be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. A lawyer can marshal evidence to challenge your share of fault.
- The defendant does not offer fair compensation for your injuries. In particular, the defendant might offer too little for pain and suffering. Non-lawyers often do not know how much their claim is worth.
- You miss deadlines. Washington’s statute of limitations gives most injured people three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, a defendant will likely ask the judge to dismiss the case.
- You do not document your physical and mental pain. Noneconomic damages can make up a large part of a settlement. Our firm can help you fully document the extent of your injuries.
- You cannot get bills paid. One source of frustration is the billing and insurance process after a crash. As a result, an injured victim’s stress only increases.
By hiring an experienced lawyer, you can breathe easier knowing your lawyer is dealing with insurance companies. As the lawyer assesses the value of your claim, you can focus on healing.
Discuss Your Options with an Amazon Truck Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a crash with an Amazon delivery vehicle, contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner today. Our firm can review the available evidence and put it in context. We can explain who may be responsible and what coverage may apply, coordinate with your medical providers about bills, and handle the insurance claim while you decide how to move forward. Contact us today to speak with an attorney about your accident.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page
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