Amazon has made a name for itself by providing customers with fast shipping options. In many cases, Amazon offers next-day or same-day delivery, quickly putting products in customers’ hands.
However, there’s a trade-off for this kind of delivery speed. Drivers behind the wheel of Amazon trucks may engage in dangerous or reckless behaviors that can lead to major accidents, as shown in Amazon’s deadly truck accident record.
You can learn more about the company’s history of deadly crashes and your options if you lost a loved one in an Amazon truck wreck with our team at Berry Law. Call or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
How Many Deadly Amazon Truck Wrecks Occur?
Finding exact statistics about deadly Amazon truck accidents can prove challenging because the company works with tens of thousands of firms around the country to maintain fast delivery speeds.
However, investigative journalists with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) have focused on the company’s dangerous behaviors. According to the WSJ, 75 people lost their lives in Amazon truck wrecks from 2015 until 2022.
Ars Technica provided additional information about the dangers posed by Amazon truckers. In fact, Amazon truckers appeared twice as likely to receive bad driving scores from 2020 to 2022, making them potentially more dangerous on the road.
Does Amazon Hire Unsafe Trucking Firms?
Many people wonder if Amazon’s deadly truck accident record comes from the firms the company hires to deliver packages. Reports from the WSJ indicate that Amazon frequently contracted companies with a “conditional” rating from the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The DOT gives conditional ratings as a way of placing these companies on something like probation. Many reputable firms refuse to contract with companies that have these conditional ratings.
In fact, one company based in Illinois scored below the DOT’s problematic level for multiple months while under review by the WSJ. Therefore, Amazon has a habit of working with companies that may engage in unsafe driving practices.
How does Amazon React to Dangerous Truck Drivers?
Amazon responded to the reports from the WSJ and other major news firms like The Information, claiming that the company responds promptly to safety issues. In some cases, Amazon suspends drivers who break safety standards.
However, these suspensions do not always take effect promptly. For example, contractors may continue to haul loads even after receiving a suspension from the company.
Amazon suspended and terminated many contracts after the articles regarding these dangerous practices. Unfortunately, Amazon trucks continue to get involved in accidents, some of which have deadly results.
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Can You Sue Amazon After a Deadly Truck Accident?
Considering Amazon’s deadly truck accident record makes it clear how dangerous these trucks could potentially be on the road. As The Information points out, a single Amazon truck accident caused multiple fatalities and severe injuries in 2020.
If you lost a loved one in a collision, it’s natural to wonder if you could sue Amazon to hold the company accountable. However, Amazon often works to avoid liability by hiring contracting firms and leaving liability to these companies.
Therefore, filing a lawsuit directly against Amazon may prove challenging, even after an Amazon truck accident.
Do People Sue Amazon for Deadly Truck Wrecks?
Individuals hurt in Amazon truck accidents have legal options, including filing a claim directly against the company. For example, Ans Rana sustained injuries in an Amazon truck accident in 2021 after the truck struck his Tesla while going almost 14 miles above the speed limit.
Rana sued Amazon, and his case is still going through the court system. The outcome of his case could influence future claims involving Amazon truck wrecks.
How does Amazon Contribute to Deadly Wrecks?
Amazon may take other actions that increase the odds of a dangerous truck accident in addition to hiring firms with poor safety records. For example, Rana’s claim alleges that Amazon increases the odds of an accident by:
- Giving drivers incorrect information about speed limits
- Encouraging drivers to go faster through text messages
- Implying drivers risk termination if they fall behind delivery times
The company’s unrealistic expectations of deliveries may make drivers feel that they have to rush, resulting in more dangerous actions while behind the wheel. Drivers who rush may speed, ignore red lights, and engage in other negative behaviors.
What Can Your Family do After a Deadly Amazon Truck Wreck?
You have legal options if you lose a loved one in a deadly Amazon truck accident. Filing a claim directly against Amazon may allow you to seek damages for all the losses sustained by your family while securing a sense of closure.
Moving forward with a legal claim may also allow you to hold the individual at fault for the accident responsible for their actions, potentially protecting other drivers on the road.
Even if you do not file a claim directly against Amazon, you may have a chance to seek damages to help your family manage the financial burden of a deadly wreck. You might file a wrongful death claim against:
- The trucker who was operating the Amazon truck
- The delivery company with an Amazon contract
- The manufacturer of the truck
Depending on court decisions regarding other Amazon truck accidents, you may have a chance to file a claim against the e-commerce giant in the future. A lawyer can also help you understand survival actions after a fatal wreck.
Learn More About Deadly Amazon Truck Accidents
Do you have more questions about Amazon’s deadly truck accident record? You can learn more about the company’s history of dangerous behavior with our team at Berry Law. We’ll answer your questions and help you review your options after a fatal wreck.
Find out more by calling or filling out our online contact form.
