Who is Liable for Semi-Truck Crashes Involving Amazon Loads?

Our Denver personal injury attorneys at Donaldson Law, LLC, understand determining liability for Colorado semi-truck crashes can be complex and may involve multiple parties.

If a semi-truck crash is a result of driver error, such as negligence, fatigue, or violation of traffic laws, the driver could be held personally liable.

However, the company that employs the driver and owns or leases the truck is often held liable for accidents caused by their drivers while performing job-related duties. This includes ensuring proper maintenance, adherence to safety regulations, and appropriate driver training.

The manufacturer or maintenance provider might also bear some liability if a mechanical failure due to manufacturing defects or improper maintenance contributed to the crash. In some cases, other parties, such as cargo loaders or third-party logistics providers, could be liable if their negligence contributed to the accident.

In this post, we explicitly address liability in semi-truck crashes involving Amazon loads. Because these collisions occur more frequently on our Colorado roadways, we want to help injury victims and those who have lost their family members hold the liable party—or combination of parties—liable for their damages.

Who Is Liable for Commercial Vehicle Accidents Involving Amazon Cargo?

In 2012, Amazon began building its own logistics network. They bought trailers, hired drivers to pull them, designed the technology to plan routes and communicate with drivers, and built it all to the standards of a single customer: Itself.

As the network grew, Amazon saw an opportunity to serve even more customers. In 2019, the company opened its lanes, trucks, and capacity to shippers of all sizes. It calls this network Amazon Freight.

Under the Amazon Freight umbrella, there is a program called Amazon Relay. Amazon Relay is a technology product suite that enables carriers to self-register with Amazon and find, book, and execute Amazon loads. This includes accepting loads, assigning drivers, accessing Amazon’s Relay Load Board, tracking performance, viewing and downloading payment details, and raising issues.

In addition, there is a service called Amazon Freight Partners (AFPs). AFPs move Amazon freight between sites, such as warehouses and delivery stations, within the Amazon network. AFPs typically employ 20–45 commercial drivers to operate a fleet of state-of-the-art trucks provided by Amazon.

This means that Amazon employees, independent truck drivers hauling Amazon cargo, and trucking companies carrying Amazon freight could be involved in commercial trucking crashes in Colorado. The question is, who can be held liable for the damages that result?

The primary liability usually falls on the driver and the trucking company that owns or leases the vehicle. They are responsible for adhering to safety standards, proper vehicle maintenance, and ensuring drivers are well-trained and compliant with traffic laws.

Amazon could be partially liable if it can be demonstrated that its practices directly contributed to the crash.

This might include:

Excessive Scheduling Demands: Amazon could be partially responsible if Amazon’s delivery schedules are so tight that they force drivers to operate unsafely, such as driving without adequate rest.
Training and Guidelines: Amazon’s failure to provide proper safety guidelines or training to independent contractors may have contributed to the accident.
Operational Control: If Amazon exercises significant control over the operations of the drivers beyond just providing loads, such as dictating specific routes or mandating certain operational practices.
Negligence in Oversight: Amazon might be held accountable if Amazon fails to ensure that its partners adhere to safety and maintenance standards, which contributes to an accident.

Determining liability in such cases often requires thoroughly investigating the accident’s cause and the contractual and operational relationships between Amazon and the trucking companies or drivers involved.

Contact Our Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Our experienced commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Denver at Donaldson Law, LLC, can help ensure trucking and logistical professionals oversee the investigation so you can pursue each liable party involved in your crash. We have the resources and experience to handle the complexities of your case, so no detail is left to chance during your recovery.

Call (720) 458-5000 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case. We’re ready to listen and provide the guidance you need.

Latest Blog Posts

Who is Liable for an Amazon Delivery Service Partner Accident in Colorado?
At Donaldson Law, LLC, our Denver personal injury attorneys know commercial vehicle crash liability involves numerous moving parts due to …Read More »
Effective August 2024: New Colorado Legislation Impacting Commercial Vehicle Operation
New Colorado commercial vehicle legislation impacts personal injury claims by introducing stricter regulations and accountability measures for commercial drivers and …Read More »
Colorado Motorcycle Accidents & Injuries on the Rise in the Summer Months
Our Denver personal injury attorneys at Donaldson Law, LLC, understand Colorado motorcycle accidents and injuries tend to rise in the …Read More »

CLIENT REVIEWS

My husband was rear-ended and his head broke through the back window of the truck. We decided to give things time to see if he improved. The other insurance company dragged things on forever. That’s when we decided we needed an attorney. We did not fully understand the statute of limitations and called a few attorneys thinking we had enough time. We quickly found out that in the land of the law, we were cutting it very close. The other attorneys we called passed saying that they just didn’t have the time to handle our case; we didn’t even get a chance to speak with anyone but the receptionist. Then I called Jennifer Donaldson and spoke to Melanie who is part of Jennifer’s incredible team. – Jackie G.

I was hit by a car while I was in a crosswalk. Afterward, I underwent multiple surgeries and occupational therapy. I was out of work after losing the use of my hand for a period of time. I knew that I couldn’t deal with the insurance companies on my own. After some research, I found Jennifer and Melanie. They were amazing through the whole process and the result was a very generous settlement. They were also able to get my health insurance to waive their subrogation claim. They have both been great to work with. Throughout my claim, they communicated with me and kept me updated. I would definitely recommend using Jennifer Donaldson if you ever need an attorney for a personal injury case.– Zander O.

Jennifer and her team were fantastic. They guided me through the whole process after getting into a car accident. She fought for me, and gave me and my family the best support. I don’t think I could have made it through the whole process without Jennifer and her team. Their knowledge of the insurance industry was very helpful and was a key factor in the outcome of my case.– Tony D.

My wife was involved in a serious auto accident where she sustained serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Ms. Donaldson was professional, compassionate and very thorough from beginning to end. Her focus was to make sure that we were made whole. Her thorough work resulted in a settlement that provides for our needs for the rest of our lives. Ms. Donaldson is a great attorney.– Tony D.

I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle, causing me serious and permanent injuries. Ms. Donaldson handled my case in a very professional manner with outstanding results. She worked hard to make sure we got a settlement without the need for litigation while still getting the maximum recovery available. She and her staff were very thorough and stayed in constant communication. Overall, Ms. Donaldson was outstanding during the entire case. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of representation for their personal injury claim.– Leigh C.