Amazon is a multi-billion-dollar company that delivers packages to customers across the United States — but that is not an excuse for negligent driving. If an Amazon driver hits you with their truck, sue for damages. To do so, partner with a Michigan Amazon truck accident lawyer.
At White Law PLLC, fighting for our clients comes first. Our Michigan Amazon truck accident attorney will help you request compensation as part of a personal injury lawsuit. To learn more, reach out to us.
Steps to Take After an Amazon Truck Hits You
Amazon truck accidents happen due to distracted driving, speeding, and many other issues. If you are involved in a truck crash with Amazon, do not let the at-fault driver off the hook. Here are things you should do to respond to the incident:
Call 911
Notify 911, even if the truck driver encourages you not to do so. This will bring medical professionals and police officers to the accident scene. Medical personnel will treat any injuries you have suffered, and police officers will collect information that they will use to prepare an accident report.
Get the Amazon Driver’s Contact Information
Request the driver’s first and last name, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Also, get the license plate of the Amazon truck. Note the time of your accident as well — if the driver violated hours of service regulations, you may be able to use this to support your request for compensation.
Document Your Crash
Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of the accident scene. Capture photos and videos of your injury and damage to your car. Also, if anyone saw your collision, get their contact information, since they may be able to serve as a witness or submit a statement on your behalf.
Go to a Doctor
Meet with a doctor to undergo an evaluation. Some truck crash injuries will not necessarily appear in the moments after your accident. To increase your personal injury settlement, consult with a doctor, treat your injuries, and continue to receive medical care for as long as you need it.
Report Your Crash to Amazon
The company will get information about your incident, but be careful about what you share. If you accept any responsibility for your collision, this may be used against you if you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact an Amazon Truck Accident Lawyer in Michigan
Schedule a consultation with a truck accident attorney in Michigan to discuss your collision. The lawyer will help you determine who is at fault for your crash. They will be able to file a lawsuit against any at-fault parties.
There is a three-year window from the date of your trucking crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, per Michigan Compiled Laws §600.5805. White Law PLLC will make sure that your claim is submitted right away. Contact us today to get started.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How Liability Is Determined in an Amazon Trucking Accident
Amazon often hires independent contractors as drivers. It offers Amazon Flex insurance to these drivers, which will help you get compensation if one of its employees crashes their truck into you. On the other hand, if a driver is off duty and gets into an accident, Amazon may try to claim it was not liable.
You are required to provide a burden of proof that shows an Amazon driver, their employer, or both were liable for your collision. To sue Amazon for a truck accident, hire a lawyer. Then, your lawyer will help you show that the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your collision:
1. Duty of Care
If one person has a duty of care, they are required to practice a reasonable amount of care toward others. For example, a truck driver has a duty of care to other motorists and pedestrians and is legally obligated to follow the rules of the road. They accept this responsibility when they get their commercial driver’s license (CDL).
2. Breach of Duty of Care
When a truck driver is driving while distracted or commits other violations behind the wheel, they breach their duty of care. For instance, a trucker can look down at their cell phone and cause an accident. In this instance, the driver violated their duty of care.
3. Causation
You may suffer a brain injury or other serious trauma in your trucking accident. If you had not been in your crash, you never would have experienced this trauma. Thus, because the trucker breached their duty of care, the driver caused you to suffer your injury.
4. Damages
A trucking crash can cause you to suffer losses, i.e. damages. These losses can include medical expenses, damage to your car, and many others. You must be able to prove that you suffered quantifiable or subjective losses to prove negligence.
In accordance with Michigan Compiled Laws §600.2959, comparative fault applies to truck crashes. To prove negligence in a truck accident lawsuit, you must show that the defendant was more than 50% responsible. Otherwise, if you are found to be primarily responsible, you cannot be awarded damages.
How to Get Compensation in an Amazon Trucking Crash Lawsuit
You can file a claim through an Amazon truck driver’s auto insurance policy or their Amazon Flex coverage. With Amazon Flex, a driver has auto liability coverage of up to $1 million. Of course, to get any compensation from a truck driver or Amazon, you must prove liability, and an attorney will help you do just that.
Your lawyer will submit your claim and help you build a body of evidence. They will look at your medical bills, pay stubs, accident photos and videos, and other evidence. Your attorney will consider witness statements and anything else that they can use to support your claim.
The team at White Law PLLC delivers exceptional legal services to those involved in Amazon trucking crashes. We will help you pursue the most compensation possible in your personal injury case. To schedule a free case consultation, contact us today.
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