WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF AMAZON DELIVERY TRUCK ACCIDENTS?
With Amazon’s fleet in excess of 50,000 vehicles transporting millions of packages across US roads per day, Amazon drivers are bound to be involved in trucking accidents with other motorists. Combined with the fact that Amazon drivers are often trying to deliver packages under set timelines and after long shifts, the odds of trucking accidents increase dramatically. These types of accidents happen all the time; many are avoidable and most of the time the cause fall into one of several common categories.
Driver Fatigue
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act regulates and sets strict limits on the hours that drivers may drive, how frequently they must break, and for how long. But with so much at stake and companies being on tight deadlines, oftentimes drivers spend more time on the road than is allowed by law. This can lead to sleep deprivation which can slow reflexes, motor function, reaction time, and may even lead to falling asleep at the wheel.
Drug or Alcohol Use
An unfortunate byproduct of the extra hours on the road is oftentimes the use of drugs to offset the fatigue. Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication is always a bad idea, but when the intoxicated driver is behind the wheel of a delivery truck or semi-truck the consequences can be catastrophic.
Speeding or Roadway Violations
Whether trying to make a deadline, hitting a daily quota, or simply racing to get home faster, drivers speed for any number of reasons. Regardless of why a driver is speeding or otherwise not driving cautiously, it is a danger to everyone else on the road and increases the likelihood of an accident.
Mechanical or Engine Malfunction
Sometimes accidents are not the fault of the driver, but rather a failure or a fault somewhere on the rig. This can cause brake failures, tire blow outs, trucks swerving off the road, or any number of other crashes.
Load Issues
Sometimes the cargo being transferred was either loaded incorrectly, at an imbalance, or comes loose during transit. That much weight moving that fast or abruptly can often lead to accidents.
Unskilled or Underqualified Drivers
Amazon drivers go through rigorous training to obtain their CDL licenses, and oftentimes companies simply cannot find the manpower and are forced to hire underexperienced or unlicensed drivers. In some instances companies can even save money by intentionally hiring drivers with minimum or substandard qualifications. Driving a truck is not as simple as driving a regular car and a driver with a lack of experience can be a real hazard on the road.
Weather conditions
New England is known for inclement and rapidly changing weather. A driver attempting to drive through hazardous weather when it simply is not safe to do so may be liable in the event of an accident.
Blind Spot Accidents
Tractor-trailers have four major blind spots about the vehicle and oftentimes accidents occur when either the truck driver or the other motorist are not aware of or heed the danger of a potential blind spot.
WHAT ARE COMMON AMAZON TRUCK ACCIDENT INJURIES?
Amazon delivery truck accidents that involve passenger vehicles can be severe. Two passenger vehicles colliding can certainly have devastating consequences, but a passenger car is simply no match for the size and power of an Amazon delivery vehicle. The damage from such an accident may be irreversible and last a lifetime, saddling you with current and future healthcare and life expenses. The following are typical truck accident injuries:
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)
The force generated by an Amazon truck crash can cause brain injuries extended beyond a mere concussion. Sometimes these injuries will not be symptomatic immediately, but the effects can be devastating.
NECK – BACK – SPINAL CORD INJURIES
Impact or whiplash to the neck and back can cause spinal cord injuries, potentially resulting in full or partial paralysis and respiratory problems.
BROKEN BONES
With such a high degree of force broken bones and internal injuries and bleeding are commonplace in victims of an Amazon delivery accident.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Amazon truck accidents can often lead to soft-tissue damage of muscles, ligaments, and tendons and the result can be pain, swelling, bruising, and damage.
BURNS
Burn injuries in Amazon truck accidents can also be caused by contact with hot metal, hot water or steam escaping from a damaged radiator, or contact with other heated elements of the Amazon truck.
AMPUTATION
Frequently, Amazon trucking accidents result in someone being trapped or pinned in or under a vehicle for a period of time. Sadly, this may result in the disabling for entire loss of a limb. This can require the use of a prosthetic, plastic surgery, or a lifetime of physical therapy and care.
DEATH
Unfortunately, many Amazon trucking accidents are so severe that individuals do not survive. If your loved one died as a result of an Amazon delivery truck accident, either immediately or after the fact, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death suit. Of course there is no amount of money that can bring a loved one back or heal the pain of losing them, but there may be unpaid medical bills, funeral expenses, life expenses, and pain and suffering that needs to be accounted for and to which you may be entitled.
Contact the Rhode Island Amazon truck accident attorneys at Marin and Barrett, Inc. if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a Amazon truck accident in Rhode Island. We can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to and we are available 24/7 at 401-298-9116.
