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The statistics show that injuries are common among Amazon employees. In particular, warehouses have received attention for having dangerous working conditions and high hourly quotas. These issues have resulted in an injury rate that significantly exceeds that of other warehouses and retailers. But did you know that Amazon drivers are injured even more often than Amazon’s warehouse workers?Traffic accidents occur all too frequently, and with so many delivery drivers on the road, it is not surprising that Amazon’s drivers also get injured. Delivery drivers who sustain injuries on the job have legal rights and may be eligible to seek compensation.
Learn more about the high injury rate among Amazon drivers, how Amazon deals with workplace accidents, and why it can be beneficial for injured drivers to hire personal injury lawyers when they are involved in work-related accidents.
The Statistics On Amazon Driver Injuries
The data in a Seattle Times report shows that drivers for Amazon’s delivery contractors are injured more than any other workers in Amazon’s complex logistics chain. In 2020, fulfillment center employees reported injuries at a rate of 6.3 per hundred workers, and delivery stations reported injuries at a rate of 9.5 per hundred employees. Contract delivery drivers suffered injuries at a rate of 13.4 per hundred employees that same year, which was more than double the injury rate in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
These contract delivery drivers also suffer injuries at a higher rate than drivers who work for Amazon’s competitor, UPS. UPS drivers were reported to have been injured at a rate of 8.3 per hundred drivers in 2019 and 9 per hundred drivers in 2020. Compare this to Amazon, which had 14 injuries per hundred drivers in 2019 and 13.3 injuries per hundred drivers in 2020.
This incidence of injuries suggests that delivery drivers are not uniformly subjected to the same risks, regardless of their employer. For whatever reason, drivers suffered injuries more frequently when making deliveries for Amazon, even when they were not directly employed by the company.
How Amazon Deals With Delivery Accidents
Amazon classifies its delivery drivers as contract workers rather than employees, which is reflected in how injury data is reported. Many of Amazon’s deliveries involve companies hired by Amazon to complete their deliveries. Outsourcing deliveries is a strategic choice by Amazon.
When employees suffer work-related injuries, they are generally eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits. This is why employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, if a company hires a third party or classifies a driver as an independent contractor, it is not automatically liable to provide workers’ compensation benefits for injuries that occur on the job.
In many cases, this classification allows companies like Amazon to avoid paying injury claims for their contract drivers. However, working for a delivery service or as an independent contractor does not mean there is no insurance coverage for your injuries. For instance, Amazon can still be held liable for injuries that occur in vehicles it owns, which is why the company carries auto insurance.
Additionally, Amazon could be found responsible if its negligence created a dangerous situation that led to injury. For example, if you are given a heavy package to deliver that was not properly labeled, and you are injured as a result, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against Amazon.
It is important to understand that drivers may be eligible to pursue accountability and hold the responsible parties accountable. Consulting with experienced California accident lawyers can help drivers understand and protect their legal rights.
Why Amazon Delivery Drivers Need A Commercial Accident Attorney After Being Injured On The Job
You might not consider hiring a lawyer after being injured while doing deliveries for Amazon. The company might send you to a specific clinic, direct you to an insurance company, or take other steps that may not prioritize your interests. Here are some of the key reasons why it may be beneficial to have a lawyer handle your Amazon delivery injury claim:
Work To Help Establish Liability
Amazon frequently relies on independent contractors and third-party delivery services as part of this approach. Amazon also maintains a large legal department focused on protecting the company’s interests. For this reason, it might be a wise decision to consult a personal injury attorney in California if you have been injured while delivering for Amazon and are considering filing a delivery accident claim.
Understand Your Eligibility To Pursue Workers’ Compensation
Workers who suffer injuries while at work may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits. If you are classified as an employee, you may have a workers’ compensation claim if you have suffered injuries on your delivery route.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand your classification and eligibility for benefits. An attorney can also guide you if you feel pressured to see a specific medical provider, return to work before you are ready, or if you are unsure about how your interactions with the company may affect your claim. A lawyer can offer guidance on your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim and help you understand the process under your state’s workers’ compensation laws, including addressing any concerns you may have about employer retaliation.
Explore Other Avenues For Compensation
In some cases, another person may be responsible for your injuries. If another driver causes an accident and is found negligent, they may be held legally accountable for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If defective brakes caused the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable for selling a vehicle with faulty brakes that resulted in an accident. Our California car accident lawyers work to explore potential legal claims and help hold negligent parties accountable for your injuries.
If you have already filed a workers’ compensation claim, the insurer may seek reimbursement for bills they covered if you later receive compensation through another insurance settlement. These circumstances can become very complicated, which is why it is helpful to have an attorney guide you through this process.
Help Identify Potentially Liable Parties
There can be more than one legally responsible party in an accident case. Each party must then pay for its portion of the damages. Consider the following example: A pedestrian suffers injuries in a collision between two drivers. Each driver is determined to be fifty percent at fault, so the pedestrian can claim half of their total losses from each driver.
In the case of an Amazon delivery injury, Amazon might be just one of many parties at fault. The truck manufacturer could be found liable if a defect, such as faulty brakes, contributed to the accident. Another driver could be held partially or fully at fault for being negligent while driving. In cases involving multiple defendants, it is common to have disputes about liability.
During these negotiations, it can be beneficial for the injured person to have legal representation. Each defendant will have their own lawyer and insurance company advocating for their interests. An experienced injury lawyer can help protect your interests throughout the process.
Evaluate Your Case
Your injury lawyer can estimate the potential value of your case. You have the right to hire an accident attorney whose legal duty is to represent your interests. Our attorneys can help determine the compensation you may be able to pursue for your losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering.
- Future medical care.
- Any decrease in your future earning capacity.
- The ongoing pain and suffering that may result from your injuries.
How Our Lawyers Can Help Protect Your Legal Rights After A Delivery Truck Accident
Here are a few of the important things our lawyers can do to help protect clients’ legal rights throughout the claims process:
Handle Communications Related To Your Case
Anything that you say to Amazon, its employees, its lawyers, or its insurance company can be used during the claims process. The same applies to statements made to other insurance companies, such as those representing another driver involved in the accident. Once you inform these parties that you have legal representation, they are required to direct all communications about your case to your attorney’s office.
Gather Important Evidence
Some evidence can be lost very quickly after a car accident. The police will clear debris from the scene, and the insurance companies will quickly assess the damage to vehicles and arrange for repairs. A lawyer works to document this physical evidence promptly before it is destroyed. Your attorney can also obtain security camera footage, photographs, witness statements, and other evidence that is crucial to your case.
Represent Your Interests Through Negotiation And Litigation
Our skilled injury lawyers can negotiate on your behalf and assess whether a settlement offer is reasonable and reflects your actual losses. We will guide you on whether to accept a settlement or consider pursuing your claim in court.
Speak With Our California Personal Injury Attorneys
A quick internet search for “accident injury lawyers near me” will show you dozens of attorneys in your local area. So how do you know who to hire? Arash Khorsandi and his injury attorneys at Arash Law have decades of combined experience handling a wide range of auto accident cases. We understand the unique legal issues that arise in cases involving Amazon and other delivery services and have represented clients in these types of claims throughout California.
We assist clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and all across the Golden State. Contact us by calling (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form to schedule your free initial consultation.
