If you’ve been injured in an accident involving Amazon’s delivery trucks or vans, Maison Law’s Los Angeles truck accident lawyers are here to help you. Our team can guide you through your legal options and the steps required to receive financial support under California law. Don’t hesitate to contact us today and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to begin the process.
Legal Steps After a Truck Accident With Amazon Involved
After an Amazon truck accident, the legal process can take various paths, but it typically begins with two main options:
- Filing an insurance claim – As an injury victim, you have the choice to initiate the process by filing an insurance claim. This involves seeking damages from the responsible party, often the driver in a typical Amazon truck accident. However, other people and parties could potentially be involved, like:
- Amazon itself (if the driver works for them directly)
- Parts manufacturers
- Third-party drivers
- Passengers
- Pedestrians
- Government agencies
Once the insurance claim is filed, the company conducts an investigation, gathers evidence, takes statements, and eventually presents a settlement offer. While you can choose to accept the offer, it might not fully cover extensive injuries. In such cases, the next step is considering a lawsuit.
- Filing a personal Injury lawsuit – If the initial settlement doesn’t suffice for what you need, you have the option to move towards a personal injury lawsuit. This involves:
- Filing a Complaint in civil court
- Attending hearings
- Negotiating with the opposing party’s lawyers
- Potentially going to trial
Damages
Every case is different, but this gives a basic idea of the steps. The main goal is to get the financial support–legally known as damages–you need for your injuries, especially if the insurance company’s settlement offer doesn’t cover everything. While these also depend on the circumstances of the accident, you can potentially recover the following in a claim:
- Medical expenses, treatment costs, and ongoing care
- Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses, if the accident was fatal
- Punitive damages, in rare cases
Since this is crucial for your overall recovery, it’s wise to think about partnering with our skilled team.
Should You Hire Our Lawyers to File a Claim?
You don’t technically need a lawyer to file a claim in California. That said, the process can be confusing, particularly when an Amazon truck or van is involved. It raises issues of liability and when coupled with injuries, the process can quickly become too much for you. That’s where our team comes in. We provide skilled guidance and offer experienced legal services for you. Here’s how we can help you:
- Investigation and figuring out liability – In Amazon truck accidents, a key factor is figuring out who is legally responsible (liable). Unlike many other truck accidents, the truck driver is often not directly employed by Amazon but operates as an “independent contractor.” This means they have similar insurance coverage as a regular private vehicle driver. Our team can assist you in determining legal responsibility and guide you on who to file your claim against.
- Gathering evidence – The strength of your claim relies on the evidence you present. We can help you collect essential items such as medical records, photos, videos, and other key evidence to build a strong claim.
- Dealing with insurance companies – Having our team by your side is crucial because dealing with insurance, possibly including Amazon’s, can be complex. We have extensive experience handling tactics used by insurance companies to diminish the value of claims. We take charge of making demands and reviewing any settlement offers you receive.
- Providing guidance and support -Our primary focus is making the process easier for you. While we can’t physically heal you, we can streamline the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to concentrate on your physical recovery. We provide consistent support throughout the entire process, strongly working for your interests.
Regardless of the specific causes of your accident, there’s a structured process leading to financial support for your injuries. However, the process varies based on the unique circumstances of your accident.
How Do Amazon Truck Accidents Happen?
The sheer number of Amazon trucks and vans you see on the road in Los Angeles in a given day, it’s really no surprise that there are so many accidents with these vehicles. However, while every accident has its own unique cause, there are similar veins of causes that create these accidents:
- The driver is trying to rush to make a delivery, and drives in an unsafe way
- The driver is unfamiliar with their route or the vehicle itself
- The driver is distracted
- The truck or van isn’t maintained correctly
- Other drivers or crowded locations force the accident
- Driving in unfamiliar residential areas could lead to accidents with pedestrians or children
How to Respond
As you can see, these accidents can happen whether you’re driving your own car or perhaps even if you’re just walking around your neighborhood. Regardless of the cause, though, it’s important to know how to properly respond after one of these accidents:
- Get medical care – Right after the accident, even if you don’t feel hurt, see a doctor. Paramedics at the scene can check you. Some injuries don’t show up right away, so quick medical attention is important. Don’t give insurance companies a reason to doubt your injuries.
- Report the accident – Make sure to report the accident by calling the police, especially if there’s vehicle damage or injuries. They can respond to the scene, gather important contact and insurance information for you, and provide a recounting of the accident in a report.
- Start gathering evidence – Besides what the police do, if you can, take your own pictures and videos of the accident. These will show the damage to your car and any injuries you or others might have.
Recognizing and dealing with these factors can make Amazon truck accidents less confusing for you. Yet, the challenge grows because there are seemingly more and more of these vehicles around every day. However, the fact remains that you have some measure of control over the process, particularly if you remember to take these steps and have the proper guidance of our team. We can help you.
Reach Out to Maison Law Following a Los Angeles Amazon Truck Accident
At Maison Law, we understand that after an Amazon truck accident, your main concern is getting back on your feet both physically and emotionally. Our team of experienced Los Angeles truck accident lawyers is here to assist and support you. We’ll stand up for your rights and help you through the entire legal process. If you’re ready to begin your journey to recovery, feel free to contact us for a free consultation today.
