New Jersey residents love the convenience of goods delivered straight to their doorsteps. The sight of large Amazon delivery vans and other Amazon delivery vehicles navigating New Jersey highways, communities, and the turnpike has become more than commonplace in the last five years, particularly since the pandemic. With the rising numbers of delivery vehicles crowding the roadways, accidents have increased. Motorists in smaller family vehicles face the most significant risk in this type of accident.
Crashes involving delivery vehicles can be devastating, with significant economic and non-economic damages to injury victims.
Accidents on the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey’s over 145 miles of turnpike is the site of some of the most catastrophic accidents involving Amazon delivery vehicles. The high rates of speed on the turnpike increase the impact of the accident. According to crash force calculations, an average 130-pound person becomes a 7,150-pound force propelled forward in a collision That increases to an 8,450-pound force in an accident at 65 miles per hour—the top speed limit on the turnpike. A turnpike accident with a large delivery van or truck may also involve multiple vehicles if other drivers sharing the roadway cannot stop or evade the accident in time to prevent a multi-car pileup.
Common Causes of Amazon Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Amazon drivers have harrowing schedules with rigorous demands for daily deliveries. They also commonly navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods and urban areas, relying on distracting GPS equipment. Common causes of Amazon delivery vehicle accidents include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Frequent stops, starts, and reverses
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Tailgating
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
Amazon vehicles commonly outsize and outweigh other cars on the road, leaving motorists in other vehicles vulnerable to the most serious injuries in a crash.
Who Is Liable for Damages in an Amazon Vehicle Accident?
Liability in Amazon delivery accident vehicles can quickly become complex. Amazon itself may be liable for damages if the company owns the delivery van or if the delivery person was a direct employer; however, often, the driver is a contracted delivery person or works for a delivery van contractor.
Under New Jersey’s no-fault insurance laws, drivers typically file claims against their own personal injury protection policies (PIP). Fortunately, the law also allows lawsuits against commercial vehicle drivers, particularly when an injury victim suffers damages that exceed the limits of their policy.
Recoverable Damages Following a Delivery Driver Car Accident
Accidents with Amazon delivery vehicles can cause serious or catastrophic injuries, especially when the delivery vehicle is a large van, box truck, or semi-tractor-trailer truck. Common damages in Amazon vehicle accident claims include the following:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Anticipated future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity due to disability
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for other non-economic damages that apply in some cases, such as loss of limb, disfigurement, PTSD, or diminished quality of life
A skilled attorney carefully calculates damages and consults with medical experts to make a compelling claim for the maximum compensation available.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help?
No one should have to navigate a claim against an Amazon delivery driver, the Amazon company, or another liable party alone. Insurance companies protect their profits at the expense of a Cherry Hill truck accident victim. It takes an assertive, results-oriented lawyer to protect your best interests throughout the challenging legal process required to obtain the largest possible settlement or court award for your damages.