Last year, Amazon ordered 20,000 delivery vans for its program to bring merchandise from the computer screen to your front door. Amazon hires contractors around the United States to bring online orders to you, without the discomfort and effort of customers having to leave their home. The ease of Amazon handling your errands can be attractive, and it may provide significant convenience in many instances; however, there are dangers that come with the new wave of consumer convenience.
Safety Issues with Amazon Deliveries
Amazon contracts with various, random companies to make its deliveries and that delivery model comes with neglect for the safety of pedestrians and others as drivers attempt to make deliveries in record times. Across the country, this “convenience” has produced injury-causing, and sometimes fatal, accidents.
In Chicago, there have been reports of Amazon vans blowing through red lights and stop signs, turning illegally at red lights, parking in fire lanes, and failing to ignite turn signals while cutting in and out of traffic. Additionally, there were reports of vans stacking their packages so high that they obstruct the driver’s rear-view mirrors.
In fact, Chicago police surveillance showed a pedestrian and his dog crossing the street when they were struck by an Amazon van running a stop sign. The driver fled the scene and it is unknown whether the driver has been caught. Unsurprisingly, the accident resulted in personal injuries to the pedestrian. Another similar accident occurred less than two miles from an Amazon distribution warehouse and resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
Here in Louisiana, an unaccompanied Amazon delivery van was caught on camera rolling in reverse down a driveway and front lawn while the driver made his delivery. According to nearby residents, the van came to a rest as it struck a street light pole. Fortunately, in this instance, it was a light pole and not an individual victimized by the neglect of the delivery driver.
Recover the Compensation You Deserve
With the new wave of expedited home deliveries come dangers of personal injury to you and your loved ones. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident with an Amazon van, or any other type of delivery or personal vehicle, you should get in touch with our experienced lawyers to discuss all of your options under the law.
To schedule your free case consultation, call (504) 475-2429 to speak to one of our attorneys at The Chopin Law Firm.
