Amazon trucks have become a common sight on the roads in Maryland over the last few years. However, the rising number of Amazon drivers means increased accidents involving Amazon trucks. For many victims, it is unclear if Amazon’s delivery driver or Amazon itself should be sued after being injured.
Fortunately, an experienced Maryland Amazon truck accident lawyer can be helpful in these situations. Amazon has tight delivery schedules and often pressures its drivers to complete their routes as quickly as possible. But because of the complex legal rules involved with Amazon truck accidents, it can be difficult to hold Amazon directly responsible for the drivers they contract with.
If an Amazon delivery driver hits you, our Baltimore Amazon truck accident lawyers can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free case assessment.
Who is Liable When an Amazon Driver Hits Me in Maryland?
In most cases, the Amazon delivery driver will be liable for your damages. An Amazon driver can be held accountable for driving negligently, failing to make routine vehicle inspections, and failing to maintain the truck properly. For instance, an Amazon truck driver might injure you in an accident because they were speeding in an attempt to make their delivery schedule.
In most cases, though, you will not be able to file a lawsuit against Amazon. Amazon drivers do not work directly for Amazon and are considered independent contractors. This distinction between independent contractors and regular employees means that Amazon usually cannot be held responsible for the negligent acts of the drivers that they contract with.
Amazon typically contracts with local trucking companies to complete their delivery orders. This means the driver will actually be a third-party trucking company’s employee, even though the Amazon truck you might see in your neighborhood has a large Amazon logo on the side. A trucking company could be liable for their driver’s negligence if you can show that the accident occurred while the driver was working within the scope of their duties for the company. For instance, the driver was speeding while on his normal delivery route when the accident happened. In this case, both the driver and trucking company could be named in your lawsuit. Our Maryland Amazon truck accident lawyers can help you determine which parties could be held liable for the injuries you sustained from an Amazon truck.
When Can I File a Lawsuit Directly Against Amazon in Maryland?
It can be very challenging to hold Amazon liable for the accidents that their contracted drivers cause. One way is to try and prove that Amazon exercised so much control over the driver that the court should effectively treat the driver as an employee of Amazon. This can include Amazon providing training, route recommendations, and driver delivery instructions. Amazon is also notorious for having tight schedules that need to be adhered to, showing they exercise tight control over delivery drivers.
Another method is to show that Amazon was negligent in hiring or supervising its contractor. Amazon is required to reasonably investigate the records of contractors they intend to employ and could be held liable if its decision to hire a contractor was negligent or inappropriate in some way. Our Ocean City truck accident lawyers can review your case with you to determine if a lawsuit against Amazon is the right move.
How Can I Recover Compensation After Being Hit by an Amazon Delivery Driver in Maryland?
In Maryland, several methods exist to receive compensation for your Amazon truck accident injuries. Maryland is an at-fault state, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance policy should cover economic damages for a victim’s injuries. If you are involved in an accident with an Amazon truck, you can file a claim with the driver’s commercial insurance for benefits. You can also file a claim with your insurance policy for additional coverage.
However, Amazon truck accidents can be devastating, and insurance might not be enough to cover the costs of your damages. Because Maryland is an at-fault state, there are no restrictions on your right to sue a potentially liable party in court. A lawsuit against a negligent Amazon driver and the trucking company that employs them can be the best option to recover compensation that insurance does not provide.
While you usually cannot sue Amazon after an accident, they do provide insurance for individuals injured by contracted delivery drivers. Independent contractors that deliver for Amazon must carry Amazon Flex insurance, which provides up to $1,000,000 in liability insurance. However, the Amazon driver must be considered on the clock when the accident occurred for Amazon’s Flex insurance to kick in. Our Rockville truck accident lawyers can help you navigate the recovery options available to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Maryland After Being Hit by an Amazon Delivery Driver?
You will have a limited amount of time to file your Maryland lawsuit after being injured by an Amazon delivery driver. Each state has a deadline known as the statute of limitations that allows a certain amount of time to file lawsuits before the case can no longer be litigated. In Maryland, the statute of limitations is three years. This means that you will have three years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit. It is vital that the statute of limitations is not missed as there are very few exceptions. In most cases, if you miss the deadline, you will be prevented from legally recovering compensation.
It would be best if you also started your case as soon as possible as evidence becomes more difficult to collect over time. Further, memories of the accident can become less clear as days go by. Our Aberdeen truck accident lawyers can help you identify the statute of limitations and gather important records before critical time runs out.
Our Maryland Amazon Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
The experienced Fort Meade truck accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras are ready to provide you with your free case review today. Contact us at (410) 694-7291.