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In its ongoing quest to deliver products to customers as quickly and inexpensively as possible, Amazon partners with individuals looking to earn extra money to offer Amazon Flex. Those who meet the company’s minimum requirements can deliver packages for the company in their spare time using their private vehicles.
You don’t need to have any special license or delivery experience to be an Amazon Flex driver. While this makes the job an accessible part-time gig for many, there is a downside: flex drivers are as (if not more) likely than the average person to be involved in a traffic accident, especially when faced with high workloads and stringent time expectations.
Fortunately, you may be able to successfully pursue compensation for any injuries or property damage you suffer as a result, provided you know how and from whom to seek it.
When you and another driver collide anywhere in Georgia, the one whose actions led to the crash typically bears responsibility for any injuries or losses suffered as a result. The at-fault driver’s insurance company often repays these losses. However, in some cases, the drivers themselves can be personally liable for damages.
If someone who works for a company is involved in a crash while on the job, their employer and the employer’s insurance company are liable for paying damages. For example, suppose a pizza delivery driver collides with another car while making a delivery. In this situation, the restaurant would be responsible for compensating the injured motorist.
Amazon doesn’t consider its Flex drivers employees. Instead, it classifies them as independent contractors, a distinction that can cause some confusion for those hurt in car accidents involving them. If the Flex driver wasn’t actively engaged in delivering packages at the time of the crash, Amazon might not pay for your injuries.
Flex drivers are covered by Amazon’s liability insurance policy, which pays up to $1 million in benefits in the event of a severe accident resulting in catastrophic injuries. These benefits are only available if the Flex driver was actively engaged in delivering packages for Amazon at the time of the crash.
When working for Flex, drivers sign up for blocks of time to make deliveries. On the days and times they’ve indicated they’re available, they can pick up their packages and deliver them in their personal vehicles. Amazon then pays them for each delivery they make.
If a Flex driver isn’t making deliveries at the time of the accident, their personal liability policy would be responsible for paying an accident victim’s claim. The benefits available under a standard car insurance policy are substantially less than those of Amazon’s policy.
Amazon Flex drivers don’t require any special education or training — as long as they have a valid driver’s license, Social Security number, and qualifying four-door vehicle, they can drive and deliver packages. The demands of the position can be intense and unfamiliar, leading some drivers to have accidents involving other vehicles, individuals, or property.
If you get into a crash with a driver making Amazon deliveries, your legal rights depend on taking the following steps:
If anyone appears injured or deceased, or there’s extensive vehicle damage, contact local law enforcement to report the accident. Advise the dispatcher of any injuries so they can send appropriate first responders to assist you. If possible, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe location nearby to get out of the way of other traffic.
Make it a point to get the other driver’s name, license number, and insurance information. This will make it easier to file an insurance claim if it’s determined that they’re at fault for the accident. Without this crucial information, you could have no choice but to file a claim against your policy or pay your bills and other expenses yourself.
When speaking with the other driver, pay attention to indications that they were making Flex deliveries at the time of the accident. Some drivers might be hesitant to admit this out of fear of being fired from their jobs.
Some actions and behaviors worth paying attention to after an accident include:
Of course, it never hurts to ask the driver if they were delivering for Flex. Some drivers may not be hesitant to offer this information.
Take care not to say things like, “I didn’t see you,” or “I just looked away for a second.” The other driver, Amazon, or either party’s respective insurers could use such statements to deny your claim. In Georgia, drivers who are 50% or more responsible for their accidents are barred from receiving compensation.
If you believe the Flex driver was primarily responsible for the crash, you can file a claim against Amazon by contacting them or the driver’s insurance company listed on the accident report. Make sure to preserve any evidence related to the crash, including photographs, bills, receipts, and estimates.
For more information, please contact our Augusta car accident lawyers at Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Augusta, GA, and its surrounding areas:
Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys
4137 Columbia Rd, Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 722-8784