Injured by an Amazon Delivery Truck or Van in Indiana?

Have you noticed more Amazon Prime vans and semi-trucks on Indiana’s highways and interstates?

At the end of 2019, Prime members totaled 112 million, which triples the 40 million it boasted in 2014. Odds are good that you are a Prime member. Given the boom in a membership that offers free two-day shipping (among other options), it is no surprise that Amazon has greatly increased its total number of delivery vehicles.

In fact, there are now more than 30,000 Amazon delivery vehicles and 20,000 trailers available for road duty, and the shipping giant recently placed an order for 100,000 new electric delivery vehicles.

In order to meet its customers’ demands, Amazon tasks tens of thousands of drivers with delivering billions of packages each year. The daily schedule for drivers can be challenging, often requiring them to make upwards of 100 or more stops per day.

The demanding pace has led to a number of mistakes by drivers that have resulted in accidents causing injury or death.

Collision with an Amazon Delivery Driver in Indiana?

As Indiana’s roadways and neighborhoods continue to see more of the e-commerce giant’s branded delivery vehicles, there is an increased risk of collisions for Hoosiers who share the roadway with Amazon’s many vans and trucks.

If you were struck by an Amazon delivery driver, we strongly encourage you to contact an experienced Indianapolis injury lawyer for a free consultation. The primary reason we make this recommendation is due to Amazon’s habit of denying legal responsibility for their drivers’ actions and mistakes.

In addition to Amazon’s branded Sprinter vans and semi-trucks, the e-commerce retailer also has thousands of independent contractors who deliver for Amazon as part of the retailer’s Flex Program. These drivers use their personal vehicles to deliver on behalf of Amazon and are required to be self-insured.

The murky relationship between Amazon and its many independent contractors has been a cause for several legal debates that are being strongly contested in courts throughout the U.S.

Some believe that the retail giant’s expectations for its drivers create dangerous conditions on our roadways, and Amazon should be held accountable for accidents that are caused by delivery vehicles working on its behalf.

With this in mind, if you have been struck by an Amazon delivery driver, there are a number of initial steps you should take to help protect yourself and ensure that you are properly compensated:

• If possible, capture photos of the accident scene.
• Make sure that a police report is filed.
• Seek medical treatment for any injuries.
• Request a free case review from an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney.

It is also recommended that you write down your version of the events before the details begin to fade in memory. Having a written account in your own words will help you to accurately describe the incident when you speak to an attorney.

Proving Negligence in an Amazon Van or Truck Accident

Whether it was an Amazon Sprinter van, a full-sized semi-truck, or one of its many independent drivers, proving negligence will be key to ensuring you are properly compensated for your damages.

Based on a number of incidents involving Amazon’s drivers, as well as the many documented cases of accidents involving semi-trucks, the primary cause of these collisions often include one or more of the following:

• Failure to yield
• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Improper load weight
• Jackknife incidents
• Illegal turns
• Rollovers
• Brake failure
• Driving under the influence
• Improper lane usage
• Drowsy driving

Insurance companies will aggressively defend these cases, and that means that they will look for any opportunity to shift liability to one or more of your actions. Without a legal professional working on your claim, a single mistake can cost you your entire case.

An experienced attorney can conduct an investigation on your behalf aimed at helping to ensure all or a majority of fault is placed on the delivery vehicle. Your attorney will also manage any communications with the insurance company on your behalf. This includes coordinating recorded statements, overseeing authorization of medical releases, and filing a proper lawsuit, if necessary.

Keep in mind, under Indiana law, personal injury claims are governed by the doctrine of modified comparative negligence. This means that your ability to collect compensation will be tied to the percentage of fault placed on each party. If the Amazon delivery driver is found to 50% or more at fault for the accident, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.

Injuries Caused by a Collision with an Amazon Delivery Van or Truck

A combination of size and speed are just two of the factors that make accidents between standard automobiles and larger Amazon delivery vehicles especially dangerous, often resulting in significant injuries.

For example, Amazon’s semi-trucks will be carrying several hundred pounds of additional weight in packages and cargo. The added weight becomes a concern when these vehicles attempt to make an abrupt stop, as they are more likely to be involved in an extended skid, jackknife, or rollover.

The types of injuries often sustained in accidents involving commercial vehicles include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal injuries
• Concussions
• Amputations
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you have sustained one or more of these types of injuries, it is recommended that you ask an attorney to investigate all possible sources of insurance coverage, as the limits of a particular policy can vary from driver to driver. It is also possible that your attorney may locate additional sources of coverage that can help to ensure maximum coverage is available for a claim.

Car Accidents Near Indiana’s Amazon Fulfillment Centers

Another consequence of Amazon’s aggressive delivery operation is the large amount of traffic that surrounds its many fulfillment and distribution centers throughout the U.S.

Amazon’s distribution centers can employ thousands of workers, resulting in throngs of traffic and congestion as people drive to and from their place of employment.

Currently, there are eight (8) Amazon fulfillment centers located throughout Indiana:

• 4255 Anson Blvd. Whitestown, IN 46075 – Boone County
• 715 Airtech Pkwy. Plainfield, IN 46168 – Hendricks County
• 710 South Girls School Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46214 – Marion County
• 800 S Perry Rd Plainfield, IN 46168 – Hendricks County
• 9101 Orly Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46241 – Marion County
• 6161 Decatur Blvd, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241 – Marion County (Seasonal Facility)
• 900 Patrol Rd. Jeffersonville, IN 47130 – Clark County
• 5100 S Indianapolis Rd. Whitestown, IN 46075 – Boone County

It is important for local residents and others that do business near Amazon’s fulfillment and distribution centers to exercise caution and pay particular attention to the changing traffic patterns that regularly occur in these areas.

In the event that you are involved in an accident near an Amazon center, we recommend that you contact an attorney to discuss your rights and provide you with a free consultation.

Indiana Amazon Delivery Accident Lawyers

Attorney Matt Boulton has more than 20 years’ experience helping injured Hoosiers recover compensation for injuries caused by another party’s negligence, including accidents involving delivery vehicles.

If your injuries were caused by an accident involving an Amazon delivery van or truck, you may be entitled to compensation that will reimburse you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Boulton Law Group offers all injured Hoosiers a Zero Fee Guarantee. Our promise helps to ensure you do not have to face Amazon or an insurance company without award-winning legal representation on your side.

To tell Matt your story, contact him direct at 317-350-2680 for a risk-free, friendly consultation.

If you prefer to write to us, please feel free to use our confidential contact form. Attorney Boulton personally reviews each web contact received at our firm.

COVID-19 and social distancing after an Indiana auto accident: If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or someone in your household has been infected, and in quarantine, it is important to let the 911 operator know this. If you speak with anyone at the scene of an accident, maintain the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation of 6 feet of distance from others. Additionally, if you have a mask, please wear it or use a cloth covering during any interactions. Avoid shaking hands or personal contact and text or email if you need to exchange information.