Who Is Liable When a Delivery Driver Causes an Accident?

Today, many companies deliver consumer goods all across the country. Because there are so many deliveries occurring and more delivery vehicles on the road, more accidents involving these drivers are occurring. It can be confusing who is to blame when a delivery driver causes an accident. The matter is further complicated by companies that classify workers as independent contractors in an attempt to avoid liability. The Phoenix truck accident attorneys at Entrekin Law Firm are prepared to fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve from negligent delivery companies and drivers. 

High-Pressure Jobs 

Customers love Amazon’s fast shipping policy. However, these tight deadlines put a lot of pressure on drivers. Other companies trying to compete against this conglomerate have also tightened their delivery deadlines. As a result, there are many drivers on the road who feel pressured to make fast deliveries, which creates safety concerns. In fact, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan is currently conducting an investigation into Amazon warehouse workplace safety and possible ways the company may be hiding worker injuries from federal regulators.

When companies prioritize speed over safety, accidents can happen due to:

  • Lack of training
  • Hiring unqualified drivers
  • Driver fatigue
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding

Popular Delivery Companies in Arizona 

One of the main delivery programs in Arizona is Amazon Flex. Amazon is responsible for 21% of parcel shipments in the United States. One of the main ways that Amazon is able to quickly deliver so many packages is by using Amazon Flex drivers, who are independent couriers responsible for picking up and delivering packages. The Flex program started in 2015 and currently operates in about 100 cities in the United States. 

Other popular delivery companies in Arizona include:

  • UPS
  • FedEx
  • United States Postal Service
  • Uber Eats
  • DoorDash
  • Instacart

Common Causes of Delivery Driver Accidents

Some of the most common causes of delivery driver accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Fatigue
  • Speeding
  • Aggressive driving
  • Impaired driving 
  • Lack of proper training 
  • Unrealistic work schedules
  • Incentives for faster deliveries 
  • Improperly loaded cargo

How to Prove Liability in a Delivery Driver Accident

Proving that a delivery company or one of its drivers is responsible for an accident can be a difficult undertaking. The company will likely try to protect its own interests rather than helping you recover the compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. However, if their driver did not have commercial vehicle insurance, their personal insurance will likely deny the claim, leaving you without proper recourse. 

Recovering fair compensation following a delivery driver accident may depend on your ability to show the driver was working at the time of the accident and drove in a careless manner. A personal injury lawyer in Phoenix can help prove these elements by:

  • Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident and identifying all potentially liable parties
  • Gathering evidence that the driver is employed by the delivery company
  • Reviewing app data and cell phone records to show the driver was on an app and working at the time of the accident
  • Reviewing photos or videos of the accident 
  • Interviewing witnesses 

Contact Entrekin Law Firm for Help with Your Case

If you were injured by a delivery driver, it can be intimidating to feel like you are going up against a large corporation like Amazon. An experienced lawyer from Entrekin Law Firm can evaluate your case and create a legal strategy customized to your situation. Contact us now for a free case evaluation.