Providing Peace of Mind and Maximum Compensation

Photo of the Schwartz Law Firm legal team

Collisions with delivery trucks: Is Amazon liable for damages?

On Behalf of | Dec 15, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Sharing I-90 and I-94 with big trucks is a common occurrence. Since most oversized commercial vehicles cannot travel on many of the surface streets in Indiana, passenger vehicles often have the area to themselves. However, delivery vehicles loaded with packages driving through neighborhoods are now common.

Americans love to shop online. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. e-commerce sales for the third quarter of 2021 topped $214 billion, a 13% increase over the same time last year. The increase in orders means you likely share the neighborhood streets with more delivery trucks from FedEx, UPS and Amazon than you did a year ago.  If you were in a crash with a box truck, van or other commercial vehicle due to the other driver’s negligence, you might have grounds for a claim.

Third-party deliveries

The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS deliver packages from around the globe. Small companies and independent drivers also contract for deliveries. When consumers order from Amazon, any number of companies may place the boxes at their door. As a result, the liability for your crash may depend on the driver, company and circumstances.

Amazon deliveries

Amazon owns some delivery trucks and employs drivers. If the e-commerce giant owns the vehicle involved in your crash, it must maintain it properly. Commercial drivers must take breaks and limit the number of hours they drive. Lack of vehicle maintenance or driver compliance might result in Amazon having liability for your accident with their delivery truck.

Several factors affect which party or parties involved are at fault. Investigators use various methods for determining liability, such as the following:

  • Driver history
  • Traffic camera footage
  • Police reports
  • Witness testimony

If the crash occurred due to a distracted driver or another form of negligence, driver status and circumstances might determine which company the law holds liable.