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Is Amazon liable for your accident with a delivery truck?

On Behalf of | Oct 29, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Thousands of New Jersey drivers use the nearby interstates, state routes and local streets every day. Commercial drivers of box vans and delivery trucks also jockey for space when sharing these roadways. If you were in a crash with a delivery vehicle due to the other driver’s negligence, you might have grounds for a claim.

According to the United Nations, online retail sales in the US have increased 32% since 2019. This means that you might share the road with more delivery trucks from Amazon, FedEx and UPS than ever before. After a collision, various elements help investigators determine which party or parties involved are at fault, such as the following:

  • Police reports
  • Witness testimonies
  • Footage from traffic cameras
  • Driver history

The liable party depends on the type of driver and vehicle.

Amazon trucks and drivers

Amazon owns some of the trucks and employs some of the drivers who deliver packages, but not all of them. If the vehicle did not receive proper maintenance and Amazon had responsibility for the vehicle upkeep, it might be at fault. If the driver was an Amazon employee, the company might also be liable.

Third-party delivery truck drivers

Drivers who make deliveries for Amazon may work for companies like the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS. Smaller delivery companies and independent contractors also make deliveries. As a result, even if all the packages on the truck are from Amazon, the contractors or other companies have liability for the crash, not Amazon.

Commercial drivers must follow federal limits on the hours they drive and when they take breaks. If distracted driving or other forms of negligence occurred and your accident resulted, the circumstances and driver status determine whether the delivery company or driver is liable.

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