An Amazon truck driver is under constant pressure having to perform work-related duties under strict delivery deadlines. This can, at times, lead to dangerous circumstances on the road, such as speeding or ignoring traffic signs or signals. When a crash involving one of these large vehicles occurs, consequences may become serious, leaving victims with property damage, medical bills, and uncertainty about who to hold responsible for the collision. Since Amazon uses a variety of company drivers, Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) and third-party carriers, identifying liability can become challenging.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Amazon truck accident attorneys are prepared to guide you through the legal process. We will go against corporate insurers on your behalf and get you the compensation you deserve. With more than $1.7 billion recovered in settlements, we have proven results to back up our commitments to our clients.
To book a FREE consultation, you can connect with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick online contact form.
How Common Are Amazon Truck Accidents?
Amazon truck accidents commonly occur on roads across the United States, and many high-profile cases have emphasized how often such events take place. In March 2025, a semi-truck hauling Amazon freight got into a massive 17-care pile-up on I-35 in Austin, Texas, leading to a large lawsuit against Amazon in connection to the crash. Similar incidents continue to happen, with one in California where an Amazon Prime truck struck a pickup at the Yolo-Colusa county border in which seven people were injured. In South Carolina, a turning Amazon delivery truck caused an accident that left one person dead and three others hospitalized.
Surviving family members have also sought legal action after catastrophic collisions, like the Woolwich, Maine incident where an Amazon-contracted box truck hit and killed a man on the highway, or the Wyoming I-80 event where an Amazon tractor-trailer crossed the median and triggered a fatal head-on collision. It was reported that it was the driver’s second accident within four days, and in both cases, he directly drove into the median.
What to Do if an Amazon Truck Hits Your Car?
If an Amazon truck hits your car, you should take the necessary steps needed to protect yourself and ensure you have the right information to use for insurance or legal action. First, try to move to a safe location (if possible) and contact local authorities. Once police and paramedics arrive, they will document the incident and assist injured individuals. Be sure to request a copy of the police report to use to strengthen your truck accident claim.
Next, you should document the accident scene. Be sure to take photos of your injury, damages, and the surrounding conditions. Surveillance footage is also encouraged as it can help identify the cause of the crash and what may have been the contributing factor.
Do not forget to ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers. You should also gather as much information as you can from all parties involved, like contact, insurance, and vehicle details. When it comes to Amazon workers, you should bring up whether they are using a direct Amazon vehicle or a DSP vehicle since liability will vary.
Seeking medical attention is also crucial. After the collision, adrenaline can mask your pain, making the injury seem like it is not a big deal. You should visit a doctor promptly to get a professional assessment done. You can also request a copy of your medical records to use if you choose to pursue a claim against the at fault party. This documentation can prove you suffered bodily harm because of the Amazon truck driver’s negligence.
Before notifying your insurance company about the event, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who specializes with commercial truck accidents. They will make sure your rights are protected and will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you accept an offer that reflects the actual value of your case.
What Is the Injury Rate for Amazon Drivers?
Amazon truck and delivery accidents have been documented in several independent investigations and studies. The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) evaluated OSHA data and shared that Amazon’s contracted delivery drivers endured injury rates of 18.3 per 100 workers in 2021, meaning 1 in 5 Amazon DSP drivers were harmed within that year. Serious injuries, which caused missed work or light duty, were nearly 14.2 per 100 workers.
Liability in an Amazon Truck Accident
Liability in an Amazon truck accident can be tricky because it depends on who owns or operates the large vehicle and how the driver is classified. If the truck belongs to Amazon, the company can be held liable for damages under standard employer liability rules. They have a duty of care to make sure drivers are:
- Properly trained and supervised.
- Following traffic laws.
- Delivering orders safely.
Many deliveries are handled by independent contractors, also referred to as DSPs. Even though Amazon does not directly employ them, they can still be held vicariously liable if they exercise control over how they do the deliveries. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has determined that this level of control makes them a “joint employer” of its DSP drivers.
Some Amazon freight is shipped by third-party trucking companies, which means liability may be placed on them or the driver. Amazon may share responsibility if they negligently chose or oversaw the carrier. Under California’s pure comparative negligence law, all parties can share fault if they each contributed to the incident. So, if total damages are $80,000 and you are 20% accountable, you may be given an estimated $64,000.
Does Amazon Employ Independent Contractors for Their Delivery Drivers?
Amazon relies on independent contractors for delivery operations, specifically through the DPS program. This is where small businesses or individuals operate fleets of Amazon-branded delivery vehicles to fulfill last-mile deliveries. These individuals are classified as employees of the DPS, not Amazon directly even though they offer training courses, provide delivery quotas and routines, and monitor performance.
Other than this program, the company will also use Amazon Flex drivers. These are individuals who are gig-economy contractors who operate their own personal vehicles to drop off packages. Both of these approaches give Amazon the ability to provide quick services without having to directly employ every driver. Since these workers are technically deemed as independent contractors, liability can be complicated.
Although the DSP or driver will take accountability, Amazon may, in some cases, share partial fault, especially if the company exerted control over how the delivery process was going to go or had selected a contractor who does not have a good safety record.
Are There Cameras on Amazon Trucks?
Many Amazon trucks, including the DSP fleet and Amazon Logistics vehicles, are equipped with cameras and telematics systems. The cameras that are installed are usually forward-facing dashcams or multi-directional systems that document traffic, surrounding conditions, and driver behavior. Its purpose is to check to see if drivers are following the company’s delivery standards, and to acquire visual evidence in the event of a crash, showing what happened and who may have been at fault.
What Is a Black Box in a Truck?
A black box in a truck, also referred to as an Event Data Recorder (EDR), is a device that records technical information about the vehicle’s operation, particularly during the time of a crash. These devices will acquire data that can help with investigations covering accidents. Some information that is documented include:
- Vehicle speed
- Brake application
- Steering inputs
- Seat belt usage
- Engine and transmission data
- Time and date of events leading up to the collision
For commercial trucks, the black box can share objective evidence about whether the vehicle operator was speeding, braking properly, or complying with safe driving practices. This type of data is important when determining liability in a crash.
What Happens if You Hit an Amazon Semi-Truck?
If you hit an Amazon semi-truck, the incident may trigger an investigation to go underway. The truck driver will have to report the incident to Amazon and a police report will be filed, especially if it leads to significant damages. Internal investigations are likely to be conducted by the company, where they will take a look at dashcam footage and black box data to figure out what happened and whether the driver was complying to company policies.
From an insurance liability standpoint, the truck’s insurer will assess fault according to the driver logs, vehicle data, and circumstances surrounding the collision. If the truck was owned by a DSP or a third-party carrier, those parties may be involved in a legal claim. Depending on findings, Amazon or the contractor may either share full, partial, or no fault.
How Much Money Do You Get if You Get Hit by an Amazon Truck?
The amount you are awarded if you get hit by an Amazon truck will vary depending on:
- The severity of your injury.
- Level of negligence of all parties involved.
- The extent of damages that occurred as a result of the impact.
There is no fixed payout. But, settlements and verdicts in commercial truck cases range higher compared to standard car crashes because of the size of the vehicles and the insurance policies involved. Compensatory damages will be provided, specifically economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, and property damage) and non-economic damages (emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering).
Punitive damages, in rare cases, may be awarded if Amazon or the contractors acted with extreme negligence. This punishes the defendant and deters similar behavior. To secure this in your Amazon truck accident case, you will need to prove that the opposing side acted gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
Struck by an Amazon Truck? Get Legal Assistance From West Coast Trial Lawyers Today
If you have been injured in an accident with an Amazon truck, West Coast Coast Trial Lawyers has the resources to investigate matters thoroughly. Our legal team can secure evidence, establish fault, and hold the responsible party accountable. We will not back down from large corporations, and we do not charge upfront fees for our legal services. Let us protect your rights and seek financial recovery on your behalf.
To set up a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our convenient online contact form.
