- August 23, 2022
- kaplanlaw
- Truck Accidents
For many households and businesses in New York, Amazon has become a saving grace for their deliveries. With thousands of employees and an array of services, this tech giant has grown to become one of the most profitable companies in the world. It’s a major part of America’s e-commerce space, with a reach spanning from one end of the country to the other.
With the growing demand for online shopping, the need for faster efficiency in product delivery has also grown. Today, Amazon’s drivers are everywhere, and they are constantly pressed to meet delivery deadlines. Whether it’s during an upcoming holiday season or over the weekend, traffic accidents involving Amazon drivers are on the rise in New York City. When drivers get careless, Amazon truck accidents are bound to happen.
If a negligent Amazon driver in NYC hits your car, you may be eligible to sue them for compensation for your injuries and losses. However, commercial truck accidents aren’t as simple as other personal injury claims, especially when it involves Amazon trucks. Hiring a reliable car accident lawyer near New York City is the first step to ensuring you are a step closer to securing the compensation you deserve.
Call Kaplan Lawyers today at (516) 399-2364 to schedule your free case review.
What To Do if an Amazon Truck Hits My Car
The steps you take after colliding with an Amazon driver can make or break your personal injury claim. It’s important for you to breathe, stay calm, and think objectively after a crash. Here’s what to do if an Amazon truck hits your car.
- Check on everyone involved
- Contact 911
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Cooperate with law enforcement officers
- Exchange details with all involved parties
- Collect witness information
- Take photos and videos of the scene
- Contact an NYC car accident lawyer
1. Check on Everyone Involved
After an accident with an Amazon truck driver, the first thing to do is to check whether you are okay. Can you move? What about the other passengers involved in the crash? Is the Amazon driver seriously hurt? Have any passengers been injured during the collision?
Asking yourself these questions is critical after being hit by an Amazon delivery truck. If anyone is in imminent danger, like in a burning car, help them. Your prompt response may determine whether or not they sustain severe and permanent injuries.
Be wary of oncoming traffic, especially during bad weather conditions. Other motorists may lose control and ram into the vehicles if it’s raining or snowing. Switch on your hazard lights and get to safety — preferably on high ground.
2. Contact 911
After an Amazon truck accident in New York, it’s advisable to call 911. Don’t let any other party involved in the crash talk you out of this step. Calling 911 is the fastest way to report your car accident to the police and get medical help on the way.
Even if you think your injury is minor, contact 911. The 911 call center will immediately dispatch ambulances and police officers to the scene of your accident. A fire brigade may also be dispatched to the scene if need be.
3. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Once ambulances arrive at the scene of the crash, seek medical treatment. Medical professionals at the scene of the accident can help you deal with trauma, stop any bleeding, and rush you to the hospital if your injuries are severe. Remember, large Amazon trucks have the potential to cause severe injuries, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Pursuing medical treatment after your accident helps with recovery. Your doctor may schedule surgery, prescribe medications to help with pain, or even recommend physical therapy after being hit by an Amazon truck. Visiting a family doctor after a car accident in New York can provide documentation for your injuries that an experienced attorney can use when filing a lawsuit against Amazon or the driver.
To maximize your financial recovery, make sure you follow your doctor’s orders.
4. Cooperate with Law Enforcement Officers
Once the police arrive at the scene of the accident, ensure you fully cooperate with them. Investigating officers will assess damage to property as well as injuries and create an accident report. This report can be helpful in pursuing your claim with the insurance company.
5. Exchange Details With All Involved Parties
Like any accident in New York, it’s essential to exchange information with the Amazon truck driver. You need to get information such as:
- The Amazon driver’s name, address, and contact information
- The delivery truck’s license plate
- Insurance policy information
In addition to collecting this information, try to ascertain whether the Amazon delivery driver was on duty at the time of the crash. Don’t forget to ask if they have additional coverage offered by Amazon. If so, ask for that insurance policy information as well.
6. Collect Witness Information
If there are any eyewitnesses at the scene of the accident, it’s a good idea to speak to them. Other drivers who witnessed the accident may have pulled over and tried to help. Pedestrians and people inside nearby businesses may also have witnessed the Amazon truck accident. These individuals may provide witness statements that explain what happened and help to piece together the facts of the crash.
Time is of the essence when dealing with witnesses since they are notoriously difficult to track down after accidents. This is why you should get as much information as possible from every witness at the scene, including their names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Witnesses can be a valuable tool to prove your case and help you secure the recovery you need. A witness who is cooperative and willing to draft and sign a brief statement that recounts what they saw can help you prove fault in your crash. Most smartphones have the option of voice recording, making it easier for witnesses to provide recorded statements.
7. Take Photos and Videos of the Scene
Photographic evidence after being hit by an Amazon truck can help you and your car accident lawyer build a strong case against Amazon and the truck driver. Take as many photos and videos of the scene, including windshield cracks, evidence of drinking and driving, weather conditions, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. If possible, mention the time and date or use a timestamp when taking photos and videos.
Don’t fail to take pictures at the scene of the accident. Ensure you take photos of all visible injuries, such as cuts, lacerations, and any bleeding. As time goes by, injuries tend to heal and insurance adjusters may argue that they weren’t severe.
8. Contact an NYC Car Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to deal with Amazon on your own. Let Kaplan Lawyers give you an accurate picture of your claim before going into a negotiation with the delivery driver’s insurance carrier. Remember, you have the right to hire an attorney to represent your interests in New York. An attorney can pursue compensation on your behalf, ensuring you get the settlement you deserve.
Consulting a reliable personal injury law firm from New York is one of the best steps you can take if you are wondering what to do if an Amazon truck hits your car. At Kaplan Lawyers, our knowledgeable auto attorneys will leave no stone unturned, ensuring your claim is watertight. We have the right experience, resources, and experience dealing with insurance companies.
Hiring the right lawyer after being hit by an Amazon truck driver can help you get the maximum compensation that covers:
- Medical expenses — past, present, future
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Household services
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Humiliation
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case?
Most personal injury claims in New York are settled out of court. However, there are certain circumstances when the plaintiff and their legal team may decide to file a lawsuit. During such a scenario, New York’s statute of limitations applies. The statute bars plaintiffs from seeking financial compensation for their injuries and losses after a certain period.
In New York, you have three years from the date of your accident to file a car accident claim. If you miss this deadline, the defendant will ask the New York courts to dismiss your case.
Hire a Reliable Lawyer After an Accident With an Amazon Driver
Accidents with any type of vehicle on New York roads could be severe. However, they can be more severe and catastrophic if delivery trucks are involved. A collision with an Amazon delivery truck may at times involve multiple vehicles.
If you or someone you care about sustains injuries after being hit by an Amazon truck, contact Kaplan Lawyers immediately. Our skilled lawyers will guide you throughout the claims process. We will also advise you on whether to settle for an out-of-court agreement or to take the case to trial. Bottom line, our lawyers won’t let insurers bully you or lowball you during negotiations.
Get in touch with Kaplan Lawyers to learn more about your options. Our car accident attorneys will explain what to do if an Amazon truck hits your car. Call (516) 399-2364 for a free consultation.
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan has focused his career on advancing his legal knowledge though the day to day practice of law. Jared is a partner in the law firm of Kaplan Lawyers PC in Syosset, New York and has been a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years. His career started in litigation, so Jared is aware of the pitfalls in litigation and uses that knowledge in the representation of his clients in complex matters. [ Attorney Bio ]