What Is the First Step to Take if You Are in an Accident With an Amazon Driver?

Being one of the largest delivery companies in the United States, it is common to hear about motorists getting into accidents with Amazon delivery truck drivers in Los Angeles and Southern California. However, what do you do if you are the one hurt in an Amazon accident? What steps do you take to protect yourself and your potential accident claim? Our firm discusses essential steps to take if you have been in an Amazon accident below.

If you have been in an accident with an Amazon truck, consider contacting our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys. through our case results, Steers & Associates has significant experience representing Southern California injury victims in truck accidents and other personal injury cases. We can review your case during a free consultation and help you understand your potential legal options. Call us at (800) 824-5416 or fill out our online contact form to schedule one today.

Steps to Take After an Amazon Truck Delivery Accident

What you do immediately after an accident can help or hurt your potential personal injury claim. The steps you should take are generally the same whether you get in a car accident or an Amazon delivery truck accident.

Step One: Check for Injuries

Before doing anything else, you should check yourself for injuries. Are there any visible injuries? Do you feel injured? If you are injured, avoid moving around or getting out of the vehicle because it can exacerbate your injuries. Call 9-1-1 or ask someone else to do it if you need immediate medical attention.

If you think you are okay, check on any passengers and other involved parties for visible injuries. However, remember that it is common for adrenaline from an accident to mask injuries like whiplash or other soft tissue injuries. Even if you do not get medical attention at the scene, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers discuss this step later.

Step Two: Call 9-1-1

You should contact law enforcement after any car accident. Even if you think the Amazon truck accident is minor, we recommend calling 9-1-1 to report it. Let law enforcement decide whether to come to the accident scene.

If you or anyone else has visible injuries, request medical attention when you call. Law enforcement will ensure that emergency medical personnel come to the scene to treat injuries and, if needed, transport anyone to the hospital.

Having law enforcement come to the crash scene is important for a few reasons, including responders will:

• Protect and clear the crash area. Depending on the accident, the crash scene could be a hazard for you and other motorists. Officers will block off the scene to protect it from further accidents and make room for other emergency responders.
• Investigate the accident. Officers will investigate the accident, including taking statements and talking to witnesses. They may also issue citations if they believe someone contributed to the crash.
• Create an accident report. An accident report is an official record of the crash. It will contain information about all involved parties in the accident and witness information. It may also include findings about contributing factors of the accident and fault.

Step Three: Exchange Information With the Amazon Delivery Driver

Before you leave the accident scene, you should exchange certain information with the Amazon driver. Avoid apologizing or discussing the accident. Anything you say could be construed as admitting fault and used against you later. Instead, focus on exchanging contact and insurance details.

Specifically, you should obtain the following information about the Amazon delivery driver:

• Name
• Contact information
• Driver’s license number
• Personal insurance information
• Commercial insurance information the driver may have through Amazon or their employer
• Driver type (Amazon Flex driver or Delivery Service Partner (DSP) driver)
• Whether the driver was on duty during the accident

You should also get details of the Amazon truck, including license plate number, vehicle make, and model.

Most Amazon drivers are independent contractors who work through the Amazon Flex platform or for a DSP. Getting information about the type of driver and whether the driver was on duty can give you a better idea of the insurance coverage that may be available. For example, Amazon provides commercial auto insurance coverage to independent contractors. Therefore, you may be able to file a claim with Amazon Flex insurance coverage if the driver is an independent contractor.

Step Four: Document the Accident Scene

After exchanging information with the Amazon driver, you should take pictures of the crash to document it and preserve evidence. You can use photos to record your injuries, property damage, and accident details.

Our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers recommend documenting the following details:

• Visible injuries
• Damage to the interior and exterior of your vehicle
• Damage to the Amazon vehicle

You may also consider writing down details about the accident. For example, did the accident occur at a specific intersection? How was the weather at the time of the accident? How were the road conditions? Did anything apparent contribute to the accident?

Step Five: Request Witness Information

Did anyone witness the Amazon truck accident? If so, and if you are able, ask them for their name and contact information. You should also ask them if they are willing to make a statement. Witness statements can bolster your truck accident claim.

Step Six: Seek Medical Attention

Coming back to our point in step one, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you do not get medical attention at the scene. We recommend getting a medical evaluation within 24 hours of the accident.

Amazon delivery vehicles can cause severe injuries. However, deep bruising, soft tissue injuries, and other car accident injuries may not appear for hours or days after the wreck. You may feel fine directly after an accident because adrenaline is masking your injuries. Seeking medical attention right away can identify injuries before they worsen and get you on a medical treatment plan early.

If you have injuries, you want documentation that ties your injuries to the Amazon truck accident. If you go to the doctor right after the accident, the insurance company will have difficulty denying that the crash caused your injuries.

However, suppose you wait a few weeks to go to the doctor. In this case, the insurance company may question why you did not get treated right away. It may claim something else caused your injuries and undervalue or potentially deny your claim.

Step Seven: Notify Your Insurance Company About the Amazon Car Accident

Let your insurance company know that you have been in an accident. However, you should avoid making a detailed statement for now. Avoid apologizing for the accident or making any assumptions about the accident.

We recommend discussing your situation with a truck accident lawyer before making detailed statements with your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance carrier.

Step Eight: Contact an Amazon Truck Delivery Accident Lawyer

Getting in an accident with an Amazon driver can result in extensive medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may be able to recover financial compensation for your damages through an Amazon accident claim.

Consider discussing your potential legal options with an experienced truck accident attorney. Working with an attorney is beneficial for many reasons. Your attorney will investigate the accident and gather crucial evidence to support your claim.

For example, though Amazon Flex drivers use their personal vehicles to deliver packages, DSP delivery truck drivers generally use vans or other Amazon delivery trucks. These vehicles have surveillance cameras that may hold crucial footage of the accident to strengthen your claim. Your truck accident lawyer can send a preservation letter to ensure the DSP does not erase the footage.

Your lawyer will use evidence to determine accident liability. Additionally, they will find every opportunity for you to recover compensation and handle the legal process on your behalf.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Amazon Truck Accident Attorney From Our Firm

Have you or a loved one been in an accident with an Amazon truck? Amazon trucks can range from tractor-trailer trucks to Amazon delivery vans. All of them can cause devastating injuries. Consider scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation with Steers & Associates.

During a free consultation, we can answer your legal questions and help you understand your potential legal options. We can also determine whether we can help you with your case. Call us at (800) 824-5416 or fill out our online contact form to request a consultation today.

Allen Vaysberg

Allen Vaysberg practices personal injury law and works tirelessly to defeat the tactics of insurance companies and large corporations who try to deny justice and fair compensation to injured people.