It’s getting more and more common for people to get into accidents with Amazon vans. Fortunately, the fact that the driver works for Amazon doesn’t mean that you can’t get compensation in money and medical expenses due to the accident.
Here’s some information about these accidents and what you can do about it if something like this happened to you or someone you know.
An Introduction to Amazon Van Accidents
The world’s current situation has led to Amazon performing more and more deliveries in their now very recognizable vans. There are firm deadlines imposed on these drivers, and as a result, there can often get into severe accidents due to neglect while pursuing their near-impossible goals.
Examples of this kind of thing happening, including in the Houston region, are numerous, including two people killed earlier in 2020 due to an accident with an Amazon vehicle.
All of this is to say that if you’ve been in an accident with an Amazon van, you aren’t alone, and there is something you can do about it.
The Independent Contractor Defense (and Why It often Doesn’t Matter)
Some people might be worried about whether they can get compensation from an Amazon van driver since Amazon will say it was the driver and not them if they aren’t an employee. Amazon advertises to drivers that they can make more if they have a van.
However, the point is that regardless of whether a driver is an employee or not, the “Flex” program for Amazon drivers requires them to be covered for a significant amount of money. Insurance coverage means that if the driver is liable for your accident, then you can still be protected by their liability coverage for compensation for medical bills and other damages.
Are Laws in Texas Relevant to This Situation?
Texas laws generally require private people to have auto insurance of at least $30,000 for bodily injury, $25,000 for property damage, and $60,000 per accident.
However, a law that came into effect in 2017 called the “Transportation Network Act” increased this significantly, putting it up to $50,000 for injury and $100,000 per accident if you’re a contract driver for places like Amazon, Lyft, or Uber.
On top of this, Amazon gives a particular Amazon Commercial Auto Insurance policy for all its contract drivers without charging the driver for it.
Having two potential sources of insurance coverage means that between the insurance from the individual and the commercial insurance from Amazon, you should be able to cover quite a lot of damages caused by the crash or accident. You may also be able to cover even more from your insurance, depending on the situation.
Like being in an accident with an 18-wheeler when commercial insurance applies, the insurance company will fight hard to keep the money.
Early investigation is why it’s important to contact an experienced injury attorney quickly after an accident.
What to Do After an Accident
Accidents are often terribly traumatizing experiences. The first thing you always want to do is make sure that you’re safe. Make sure that there isn’t any more danger from the vehicle and get out of its way.
Next, if you want to call the police immediately and request a crash report, call us about how to get a Houston crash report).
Writing everything down is critical and making sure you document as much as possible with videos or photos. Documenting includes where each vehicle ended up after the crash and the damage to any vehicles involved.
You will also want to have a medical professional check you out as quickly as possible. If your injury is severe enough, this will include getting help from a specialist.
Make sure that you don’t record anything official for the insurance company for the other driver until you speak to an attorney yourself. Call (281) 587-1111
Getting an attorney at this point is going to be essential.
Finding the Best Attorney for an Accident With an Amazon Vehicle
You can use a few strategies to make sure that you have the best lawyer possible for your case. Here are some examples.
Free Consultations
The best option for getting an attorney that you know will work well for you will be finding one that will offer a free case evaluation. That way, you’ll be able to talk to them without necessarily having to commit to anything, and you’ll get a better sense of who they are and how they can help.
Even better is if you talk to an attorney that won’t even ask you to pay anything unless you retain them, and they win the case for you.
Specific Experience in Amazon Van Accident Cases
It’s ideal if the law firm you chose has had experience winning cases in the field of personal injury lawsuits and claims involving lawsuits against Amazon drivers.
Best of all is if you find attorneys whose experience is precisely in the Houston area or wherever you are located.
Ratings, Certificates, and Awards
Another great way to check for personal injury attorneys is to look up sites like the Better Business Bureau. This site monitors companies and gives them a rating based on how well they deal with complaints, how long they’ve been around their level of transparency, and other criteria. If a company gets an A+ here, they are often a trustworthy law firm, proven through its performance.
Awards like the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers are helpful to see as well. You can also check their rating on Avvo out of ten, specifically in the personal injury category. Higher is better.
Getting Started
For more information about getting started with proven personal injury attorneys with experience helping people out with their cases against Amazon drivers, please make sure you don’t hesitate to go ahead and contact us today.
Consult With an Experienced Amazon Van Accident Lawyer
You can call our Houston Amazon Van Accident Lawyers for a free consultation at (281) 587-1111.
The faster you contact Baumgartner Law Firm, in Houston, the faster we can ensure your case gets every possible chance to succeed and win you the compensation you deserve. Call (281) 587-1111 for a free consultation!
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