Are Amazon Drivers Covered by Their Own Insurance or Covered by Amazon?
Amazon delivers 18 packages every second in the United States. This equates to over 500 million deliveries each year. While most deliveries may go smoothly for the customers, things may not always be as smooth for the driver. Under pressure, their negligence may cause accident injuries. If you have been injured in a car accident with an Amazon delivery driver, you would need to determine who covers them, so you can seek financial compensation.
Delivery Drivers May Be Independent Contractors Under the Liability Insurance Policy
Amazon delivery drivers work for the company on an independent contractor basis. They are not Amazon employees, meaning that Amazon is not liable for their actions. However, Amazon has some obligations when it enlists independent contractors to make deliveries. Just like the rideshare companies that work with independent contractors, Amazon would provide an insurance policy for drivers who make deliveries on the company’s behalf.
Amazon’s drivers can be sole proprietors, or they can be larger delivery companies that have many trucks. Amazon’s drivers are often working under time pressure because they have high quotas of deliveries that they must meet. The company prides itself on the prompt delivery of its products, and its drivers are the ones who end up bearing the brunt of this. In their haste to deliver the products, drivers may cut corners and cause injuries in accidents.
Amazon has a commercial insurance policy that it provides to its drivers free of charge in practically every state. This coverage is for $1 million. The amount is on a per-accident basis, meaning that multiple accident victims may file claims against the same policy. They may not be able to get full compensation if the $1 million amount is not enough.
Amazon works with a number of commercial insurance companies to provide coverage, including:
- Zurich American
- Old Republic
- Fireman’s Fund
- American Zurich
An Attorney Would Verify Insurance Coverage and Fight for You to Be Paid
When you hire an attorney, they would investigate to learn where and how to file a claim. They would ascertain the insurance coverage that is available and help you determine your most effective path to compensation.
These companies do a large amount of business with Amazon. They are paid a considerable amount of money in premiums, and they want to retain as much of them as possible. Amazon’s insurance companies can be difficult when you are filing a claim.
Hopefully, Amazon’s insurance policy is enough to cover your damages in the event of an accident. If you were struck by an Amazon delivery truck, you may file a claim against your own insurance policy if you have underinsured motorist coverage. Further, Amazon’s drivers could be personally liable if they do not have enough coverage, although it may be difficult to collect a judgment from them.
Some Truck Drivers May Be Amazon Employees
When you see the tractor-trailers emblazoned with the Amazon logo, there is a greater chance that these drivers actually work for Amazon. The company would be liable for the actions of its drivers, and Amazon truck drivers would be covered under the company’s liability insurance policy. If you have been injured in a truck accident with an Amazon driver, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the company because the driver is not an independent contractor.
Regardless of whether the driver is an independent contractor or an Amazon employee, you would still need to prove that they were negligent in order to receive financial compensation. An attorney would investigate the accident and gather the evidence necessary to prove your case.
Contact the Springfield Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law After an Amazon Accident
If you have been hurt in a crash with an Amazon driver, get legal help from the Springfield car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law. We have a track record of going to bat for our clients against the largest insurance companies and winning. Your first step is to call us today at 912-754-6003 or use our online contact form to schedule an initial consultation. Our office is in Springfield, Georgia, and we help injured clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.