Maison Law can help you if you’re an Amazon delivery driver and you are bitten by a dog while making a delivery in Gilroy. Amazon is the largest retailer for a reason: they deliver. But it’s able to do that because of the huge number of drivers–even in a smaller city like Gilroy. If you deliver Amazon packages and end up bitten by a dog, we’ll be there to help. Set up a free consultation today.
Why Would I Need a Lawyer If I’m Bitten While Making an Amazon Delivery?
If you’ve been delivering Amazon packages in Gilroy for any amount of time, you know the rhythm of the day. You’re weaving through neighborhoods off Santa Teresa, rolling past rural driveways outside town, hopping in and out of the van until the sun starts to drop. Most houses are predictable: drop the package, snap a photo, back in the van. But all it takes is one porch you’ve been to a dozen times—one dog you didn’t even know was there—to throw everything off.
This is exactly why working with our team can be crucial. A dog bite brings up a lot of questions–and these questions only become harder the more serious the bite is. You don’t have to get a lawyer if you’re bitten, but having one makes things a lot easier by:
- Explaining your rights and options
- Getting important evidence and information about the dog and its owner
- Looking at insurance coverages available, then handling talks with the company
- Filing a claim or a lawsuit so you can get what you need to recover
If you’re in this situation, you’re already dealing with enough—pain, stress, and lost money. Our role is to make the rest of the process lighter, clearer, and more manageable. That starts with getting the right information after the bite happens.
What Information Should I Try to Get After I’m Bitten?
Everyone says, “Gather information,” but when you’ve just been bitten, your body isn’t exactly in detective mode. You’re hurt, startled, and probably trying to keep your route from falling apart. Still, the moments right after the bite can make your life easier later. Here’s what you’ll want to get:
- Owner information. Ask for the homeowner’s name and phone number. Even saying something simple like “I just need your info for my report” is perfectly reasonable. Most people understand, especially when they see the bite.
- Pictures/videos. If the owner ducks inside or refuses to cooperate—which does happen—use what you have around you. Take a quick photo of the house number. Also get a picture of the dog if it’s safe.
- Delivery details. Note the time, the location, and anything you remember about what happened. Amazon’s internal reporting system will ask for all of this anyway, and it’s much easier when the details are fresh.
- Details about the dog. If you can’t get a picture of the dog, make a mental note of the dog’s color, the type of collar, whether there was a gate, whether the dog came from inside or the backyard. Those details help confirm who was in charge of the dog and can make the claim process smoother.
Obviously, getting this information is a lot easier said than done. With that said, you’re probably aware of the risk of being bitten since you spend every day delivering packages to homes where dogs are. It doesn’t make the situation any easier, but getting this information is going to be crucial for your moving forward.
What Kind of Claim Can I File If I’m Bitten While Making an Amazon Delivery?
Probably the most confusing part of a dog bite claim when you work for Amazon isn’t who’s responsible, but what your actual options are. Getting bitten while delivering a package isn’t like normal–there’s the added layer of you being on the job
Amazon delivery drivers don’t work for Amazon directly–they work for companies called “Delivery Service Partners” or DSPs.
That means you’re a contractor, and contractors don’t have access to workers’ comp benefits. What this means is that your options are built around an injury claim, where you’ll either file:
- An insurance claim out of court.
- A personal injury lawsuit.
The goal, like in other injury claims, is to get “damages.” This is just the legal term for financial support that the law makes available to you to cover your losses from:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income or a loss of earning potential
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged clothing, shoes, electronics, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Changes to your daily life
One more important thing: you only have two years from the date of the bite to file a claim. And because memories fade, people move, and evidence disappears, it’s much easier to start the process sooner rather than later. But this brings up another key question: who’s responsible for paying for these damages in this situation?
Who Pays for My Dog Bite Injuries as an Amazon Driver?
After the adrenaline wears off and the bleeding stops, this is the question every driver asks. Who’s actually paying for all this? Thankfully, even in a scenario where you’re delivering a package for Amazon, the law doesn’t change. California uses “strict liability” for dog bites. This means that:
- The dog’s owner is responsible–period.
Some homeowners try to argue that you provoked the dog when you came onto the property–whether it’s a front yard, porch, gate, box, etc. But that’s not the way it works: when someone orders an Amazon package and agrees for it to be delivered, they are legally inviting you onto their property. That means that your damages won’t be reduced just because you were doing your job.
What Injuries Could I Be Facing If I’m Bitten While Making a Delivery?
For most Amazon drivers in Gilroy, walking up to a porch is just part of the job. But when a dog gets involved, injuries can happen faster than you can set a package down. And they’re often the kind of real-world, everyday injuries that completely derail your shift:
- Bite wounds. A lot of drivers end up with puncture wounds when a dog slips past its owner and lunges from the doorway. Even a single bite can go deep enough to need stitches or antibiotics.
- Wrist/hand injuries. Others get wrist or hand injuries from trying to shield themselves—an instinctive move that can lead to tendon or nerve issues when you’re lifting packages later.
- Skin infections/bruising. Then there are the surprise moments: a side gate that swings open, a dog that darts out from behind a car, or a small dog that nips at your ankles or calves as you’re walking away. These bites may look minor but can still leave torn skin, bruising, and infections.
- Sprains/strains. It’s also common for drivers to get secondary injuries—twisted knees, sprained wrists, or back pain—from stumbling off steps or trying to avoid the dog altogether.
- Stress/anxiety. Sometimes, it’s what comes after the physical injuries heal that’s the problem. You could very well experience stress and PTSD from the incident, which could create issues with your job performance later on down the line.
No matter how the bite happened or how minor it seems, getting checked out by a medical professional should be your first step. Dog bites can look small but still lead to infections, nerve issues, or scars. Taking care of your health early makes everything else—reports, claims, paperwork—much easier to handle later.
And while you focus on healing, our Gilroy dog bite team can step in to handle the legal side.
Gilroy Amazon Drivers Can Turn to Our Dog Bite Lawyers for Support
Working as a delivery driver for Amazon means long hours, crowded neighborhoods, and unfortunately, frequent interactions with dogs. This quickly leads to situations where you’re facing injuries from a bite.
Maison Law knows how these cases work for delivery drivers, and we’ll make sure your rights are protected from the start. We can walk you through your options and help you understand what a claim could look like for you. Reach out for a free consultation when you’re ready.
