Amazon Delivery Truck Accident Attorney in Boston

In early 2021, a Massachusetts man claimed he almost died after an Amazon van crossed the center line and crashed head-on into his vehicle. The man alleged that the Amazon driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and that the accident left him with permanent brain damage.

Unfortunately, accidents caused by overtired and overworked delivery truck drivers in the greater Boston area are common.

Amazon drivers deliver as many as 300 packages a day, often without adequate breaks or rest stops. In addition, drivers often speed to meet delivery quotas and may be tempted to ignore safety precautions in their haste to get to the following drop-off location.

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a crash with an Amazon delivery truck or van, the attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers can help with a claim against this company.

Most people assume that Amazon, worth about $1.65 trillion, would quickly settle claims following an accident with one of its delivery trucks. They are surprised when Amazon or its insurance carrier disputes liability or offers to pay a fraction of what the accident victim deserves.

According to one report, Amazon Logistics, the tech giant's delivery service division, was named a defendant in 119 motor vehicle lawsuits in 2021.

Our attorneys not only have decades of experience in taking on large, powerful companies like Amazon, but our Boston law firm has the resources to do so. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay when we recover money for you.

Your car is stopped at a red light when a large gray truck with a big blue smile on the side rams into the back of your vehicle.

You might think that this is an open and shut case and that Amazon will open its checkbook and pay you for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and damage to your vehicle.

Our delivery truck accident attorneys know all too well that this is not always the case. Even if the truck has an Amazon logo and the driver wears an Amazon uniform, the driver may not be an Amazon employee. Amazon and other delivery companies, like FedEx, often hire independent contractors to deliver packages. In such a scenario, Amazon may argue that the driver's negligence caused the accident and refuse to pay a dime for your injuries.

Amazon uses independent contractors as delivery drivers to avoid liability when a driver makes a mistake and causes an accident. This tactic prevents accident victims from filing claims under Amazon's colossal auto insurance policies. However, lawyers have been taking a new tact and suing Amazon directly for delivery truck accidents, arguing that Amazon's technology for managing drivers makes the company liable for accidents.

Cameras, apps, and other technology installed in Amazon trucks and vans closely monitor drivers' behavior, including their speed, acceleration, braking, cornering, seatbelt use, and phone calls. The company also designs the driver's delivery routes and determines how many deliveries a driver should complete in a shift.

A delivery truck accident attorney will review the facts of your case and identify all potentially liable parties, including:

• Amazon/Amazon Logistics
• The driver
• The independent contractor
• Other motorists
• Companies responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing the delivery truck

In addition, an attorney will help you obtain footage and other data from Amazon's onboard truck and van technology. This information may be the evidence you need to prove that the driver was at fault and responsible for your injuries.

It is important to note that independent contractors who deliver packages for Amazon are required to have Amazon Flex Insurance. This insurance provides independent contractors with auto liability coverage of up to $1 million per accident.

Amazon may try to dodge liability by claiming that the accident occurred when the driver was off duty without insurance coverage.

Suppose your accident involved a defective Amazon delivery truck or truck part (such as malfunctioning brakes or unsafe tires). In that case, a lawyer can help you file a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

An attorney can also help with a claim against Boston or another municipality if a poorly maintained or designed road caused or contributed to the accident.

As you can see, these claims can be extremely complicated, even when the driver's negligence is obvious. Your best strategy is to have an experienced and skilled personal injury attorney on your side. The sooner you obtain legal representation, the sooner your attorney can start collecting evidence to support your case.

In Massachusetts, car accident victims have three years from the date of injury to file a complaint in court.

Amazon delivery truck accidents happen far more than they should. These accidents are more common during the holidays when there is a high volume of packages out for delivery.

Here is a quick look at some common causes of Amazon delivery truck accidents in Boston:

Distracted driving: Distracted drivers pose a danger to everyone on the road. Delivery drivers have more distractions than regular drivers. They may be looking at delivery schedules, following delivery route technology, or checking cellphones for a call from home. Packages that shift during travel or even spill out onto the roadway can cause a driver to stop focusing on the road ahead.

Speeding: Delivery drivers work against the clock to deliver packages on time. Car crashes at high speeds are more likely to cause severe and even fatal injuries. Speeding delivery truck drivers may not be able to slow down or stop their vehicles before crashing into cars or other roadway users such as motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians. This is especially true in Massachusetts, where roads are often slick from rain, snow, or ice.

Untrained drivers: Some Amazon drivers may find themselves behind the wheel of a vehicle that they have not been trained to drive. Delivery companies are responsible for performing background checks on employees and providing adequate training. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for a driver's negligence.

Impaired driving: Drivers who are drunk or drugged have slower reaction times and often make poor driving decisions. They may engage in dangerous driving behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or stopping without cause. If you spot a delivery truck driver engaging in erratic behavior, it is best to steer clear.

Drowsy driving: When delivery drivers are on the road for too many hours and deprived of adequate breaks, they can cause accidents. They may run off the road and into other vehicles or drift from their lane into the next one. Fatigued drivers are often to blame for head-on collisions and side-wipe accidents.

Violation of traffic laws: Delivery drivers who hurry may run red lights, blow through stop signs, or make illegal left-hand turns.

Dangerous vehicles: While negligent drivers cause most Amazon delivery truck accidents, delivery trucks that lack inspection or have not been properly serviced and maintained can cause accidents too. Amazon trucks or vans with worn brakes, bald tires, or broken safety features are dangerous. Delivery vehicles should have working headlights, taillights and brake lights, and functional backup cameras and backup alarms.

Cargo: Packages that spill from an Amazon delivery truck and onto the road can cause serious accidents. Motorcyclists and bicycle riders who navigate Boston's streets on two wheels are especially at risk. In addition, cargo that shifts during travel can cause the driver to lose control.

If the Amazon driver fails to stop after a collision or crash, the accident will be treated as a hit and run.

A fully loaded Amazon truck can weigh close to 20,000 pounds, while a mid-size car weighs about 3,500 pounds. When a large, heavy truck is speeding to meet delivery quotas, truck-versus-car accident injuries can be catastrophic.

Common delivery truck accident injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Head and brain injuries
• Amputations
• Spine and back injuries
• Paralysis
• Permanent scarring
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Wrongful death

In many instances, these injuries require expensive and painful ongoing treatment, including surgery and physical therapy. Victims may never fully recover and may be unable to enjoy their lives in the same way they did before the accident.

A delivery truck accident attorney can file a wrongful death claim against Amazon and other responsible parties.

Contact the delivery truck accident attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers in Boston at (617) 777-7777 for a free legal consultation, or complete our online form.