Amazon has an enormous presence here in Illinois, both as a seller and as an employer for a great many people throughout the state. Consider this: Amazon is reported to have almost four dozen (46) warehouses spread throughout Illinois, from its “fulfillment centers,” to things like delivery stations; distribution centers; food storage facilities; and cross-dock facilities. Read, “A Complete Guide To Amazon Warehouse Locations In Illinois,” published by ZonHack, which includes a detailed listing of all these Amazon sites complete with maps, reviews, and more.
Of course, most of our dealings with Amazon will be as a purchaser of goods through its online marketplace, and not as an employee of the company. No surprise: in September 2024, Amazon ranked as the 5th largest company in the world, regardless of industry. Read, “These Were the 5 Biggest Companies in 2019, and Here Are the 5 Biggest Companies Now,” written by Dan Victor for The Motley Fool and published by AOL.com on September 30, 2024.
This means that a huge number of parcels and packages are being delivered all across Chicagoland and the rest of the state at every hour of the day and night. Amazon promotes its fast delivery service, from two-day delivery to an astonishing two-hour window for some sales. Read, “Amazon Prime Now Review,” written by Jeffrey L. Wilson and published by PCMag on May 6, 2016.
It seems so efficient and convenient, except from the perspective of safety organizations and advocates of accident victims and their loved ones. Because all these deliveries with time-pressured deadlines also translate into an increasing risk of serious or fatal motor vehicle accidents involving that Amazon delivery driver and others involved in the crash.
Injured in an Amazon Delivery Truck or Van Accident in Illinois
Far too many people, from drivers to vehicle occupants to pedestrians, are being severely injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents in this country. And the danger of being involved in an Amazon truck accident in Chicago or the rest of the state of Illinois, is unacceptably high.
Sadly, when these Amazon delivery accidents happen, things are usually much more complicated for the injured victim and their loved ones than they would be if almost any other commercial delivery vehicle were involved in the crash. This is because Amazon has worked very, very hard to find legal ways to try and protect the mother company from legal liability in the event of a delivery truck accident. See, Hurt in Crash with Delivery Drivers for Amazon, FedEx, Wal-Mart, Target, UPS? and Who Has Liability for Accidents With Delivery Drivers for Amazon, FedEx, Wal-Mart, Target?
This strategy has not been 100% successful, however. Read, “Dorchester County jury hands $44.6M verdict against Amazon after man hit by delivery van,” written by Ian Kayanja and published by WCIV Charleston on December 12, 2023.
First steps after an Amazon Delivery Van Accident in Illinois
When there has been a serious accident involving a vehicle in the process of delivering packages for Amazon, no matter the size, shape, or ownership, the first priority has to be helping the victims at the accident scene.
Law enforcement and first responders need to be involved, with emergency medical care a priority. Police investigations and their subsequent filed reports are also invaluable to providing detailed facts about what happened to cause the incident.
It is extremely important to identify the Amazon vehicle and its driver, as well. Who is paying the driver (what is the company name)? What is the vehicle being used to deliver the Amazon packages? Consider the following possibilities here:
- commercial semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or tractor-trailer with Amazon logo;
- delivery truck with Amazon logo;
- delivery van with Amazon logo;
- Passenger vehicle operated by driver through programs like Amazon Flex or Amazon Fresh that does not have an Amazon logo.
For more on what to do immediately after a crash, read What To Do If You’ve Been Injured In A Car Crash in Illinois.
Amazon Contracts Out Delivery Services to Try and Avoid Responsibility for Victim’s Harm
The logo on the semi, delivery truck, or delivery van may give the impression that Amazon is taking care of business and getting the stuff ordered on its website to its customers as soon as possible. However, this is rarely the case.
In Illinois, these logos are deceptive. They are placed on all sorts of vehicles that are not owned, operated, repaired, or maintained by Amazon. They are driven by people not on the Amazon.com payroll.
Instead, Amazon is notorious for “outsourcing” its delivery needs to all sorts of companies and individuals. Amazon then uses this “outsourcing” as a legal shield against liability for any damages resulting from any Amazon delivery accident.
A key consideration here for all Illinois Amazon delivery vehicle accidents will be the minimum commercial insurance limits demanded by state law. These rates will be different from those mandated for the gig drivers who are also on our roadways delivering Amazon goods just like drivers for DoorDash; Instacart; or even ridesharing like Uber or Lyft. See, Mandatory Insurance Law (625 ILCS 5/7-601) and Office of the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services online details.
For more on gig driver liabilities in a crash, read: Chicago Uber and Lyft Ridesharing Accident Cases are Different from Other Illinois Motor Vehicle Accident Claims. Also read: Chicago Amazon Work Accidents: Warehouse and Delivery Dangers.
Damages After an Amazon Delivery Accident in Illinois
Illinois state law defines the specific damages that an accident victim can recover in a personal injury claim arising out of an Amazon Delivery Truck crash anywhere in the state. The accident victim must be able to prove up liability of the defendants by a preponderance of the evidence, establishing a legal duty was breached which caused their harm. See, Why a Lawyer who is a Trial Attorney Is Important for Accident Victims in Personal Injury Cases.
Damages can then be awarded that include things like:
- Immediate medical care (EMS; hospital stay; etc.)
- Medical expenses (surgeries; rehabilitation; and more)
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Loss of a normal life (disability, permanent harm).
- Pain and suffering
- Harm suffered by family members as defined by statute.
Amazon injury cases are complicated. There are various arguments to be made that Amazon should not be shielded from responsibility in these matters. Having an experienced personal injury trial attorney in these situations can be invaluable, given not only the complexity of some motor vehicle crashes but the skewed liability that Amazon matters involve. Please be careful out there!
