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With Amazon delivery trucks being so common, accidents are bound to happen. Many victims wonder how they can seek compensation from a large corporation like Amazon, and the legal system can quickly overwhelm them. Who can you turn to for justice after an accident?
Talk to the Long Island personal injury attorneys of Dell & Dean PLLC. We understand the steps you should take after being in an accident with an Amazon vehicle.
Step 1: Call 911 and Report the Accident
Let emergency services know the basic details about the accident, such as the time, date, and location. Ask Long Island law enforcement to come to the scene and generate a police report. This document will include important details about the crash you will need later.
Step 2: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
This step is vital, not only for your health but for your legal rights. You may require an ambulance and hospitalization, or you might simply want to see your primary care physician. Either way, see a doctor immediately, even if you don’t think you were seriously hurt.
Failure to see a doctor can allow the at-fault party to question the severity of your injuries, which may worsen. It may also allow them to cast into doubt whether they even caused the injuries. Don’t give the at-fault party something to use against you.
Step 3: Start Gathering Evidence
Begin gathering evidence related to the accident and the events leading up to it. This may include:
- Basic details about the accident, including the location and date
- Pictures and videos of the vehicles, the accident scene, and your injuries
- The names and contact information of eyewitnesses
- Police accident reports
- Your own narrative about the wreck and its aftermath
Make sure you include pictures of the Amazon delivery vehicle, since identifying the vehicle is a critical but sometimes complicated step. An experienced Long Island Amazon accident attorney will be able to assist.
Step 4: Get the Driver’s Information
You may require police assistance for this step, but it’s important to accurately identify the driver. Amazon uses a number of different services depending on where they are delivering, including its own network and third-party couriers. You will need to know whether the driver is an employee of Amazon or an independent contractor.
Step 5: Be Careful With What You Say
At all times that you deal with emergency officials or other parties, make sure you stick to the objective facts. Don’t speculate as to fault or to the nature of your injuries. This could inadvertently undermine your legal rights.
Step 6: Refer Insurance Questions to Your Lawyer
The at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you and ask for details about the crash or your injuries. It is strongly advised that you do not talk to the insurer without retaining an attorney first. Insurers are known to use tricks to extract information from victims and then use it against them to deny or underpay their claim.
Step 7: Consult a Long Island Personal Injury Attorney
As soon as you are able, you should talk to an attorney who understands the challenges of seeking compensation from Amazon and others involved with these accidents. Your lawyer will review such options as:
- Filing an insurance claim: New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means that each driver’s insurance company pays for medical and financial losses regardless of fault.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit: You may be able to step outside of the no-fault system if you sustained what New York law defines as a serious injury (e.g. bone fractures, disfigurement, permanent loss of a body part, and more) or economic losses exceeding $50,000.
- Mediation: Most personal injury lawsuits involving Amazon vehicles are able to settle outside of court through negotiations, with mediation being a popular choice to save time and money.
- Litigation: Taking your accident case to trial may be necessary if the at-fault party and their insurer refuse to negotiate in good faith.
Get Started Today With Your Injury Claim
The sooner you take the above steps, the more likely it is that you will receive the compensation you need to recover from an Amazon delivery accident. You have a dependable legal ally in Dell & Dean PLLC. Get started on your claim today by calling or connecting with us online.
