Bobby Jones Law is a Greenville Amazon driver injury lawyer, representing individuals who have been hurt while driving for package delivery. Call 864-362-2640 to speak with an experienced Greenville workers’ compensation lawyer and receive legal representation today.

Amazon Driver Injuries—A Serious Problem

A study conducted by the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) found that 20% of Amazon delivery drivers experienced injuries over the course of the year. The SOC reports that injuries among delivery drivers have reached crisis levels, with diligent workers facing pressure to meet demands for rapid deliveries, often at the expense of their safety. Some delivery drivers are reportedly pressured to deliver up to 400 packages in a single day.

The SOC notes these statistics may be misleading because Delivery Service Provider (DSP) drivers may not be fairly represented when reporting injuries.

Amazon Injury Lawyer

If you are an Amazon delivery driver who has been injured on the job, you may qualify to receive monetary compensation and workers’ compensation benefits.

An Amazon injury lawyer can assist you after experiencing an on-the-job injury. At Bobby Jones Law, we assist Amazon employees, workers for third-party delivery partners, and independent contractors.

Contact us now to talk to a Greenville Amazon driver injury lawyer. From our offices in Greenville, we handle claims throughout South Carolina.

Causes of Amazon Delivery Driver Injuries

Common causes of Amazon delivery driver injuries include the following:

Motor vehicle accidents
Being struck as a pedestrian while making a delivery
Slip and fall or trip and fall, including those resulting from dangers on a property and when entering or exiting vehicles
Dog bites, animal attacks, falls, or trips due to an animal
Falling packages
Repetitive use injury from heavy lifting
Twisting and turning injuries
Foot run over by a vehicle, dollies, or pallets
Pinch points

There may be underlying causes of injuries, such as pressure to meet a tight deadline. Vehicle maintenance issues can contribute to car accidents. Additionally, poor storage practices may lead to packages shifting, which could cause heavy objects to fall or necessitate awkward lifting to address the situation.

Common Injuries Sustained by Amazon Delivery Drivers

Common injuries sustained by Amazon delivery drivers include the following:

Broken bones
Back pain, strain, stiffness, hyperextension, disc bulge
Whiplash
Traumatic brain injury, concussion
Knee injury, torn ligaments and tendons
Joint dislocation
Cuts, lacerations, bruises, tissue damage
Burns, toxic exposure
Stress fracture, spondylolysis

You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, whether they are common or uncommon. A Greenville Amazon driver injury lawyer, Bobby Jones Law, can assist you in documenting your injuries to pursue compensation.

Are Amazon Drivers Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina?

Most Amazon drivers are eligible for workers’ compensation in South Carolina. All companies that regularly employ four or more people must carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you drive for a DSP, you are likely also covered by workers’ comp through your employer.

My employer says I’m an independent contractor, so I can’t get workers’ comp.

Your employer may not be correct in classifying your status. While it’s true that independent contractors typically don’t qualify for workers’ compensation, what matters is the level of control the company has over your work. If you’re functioning as an employee, you may be eligible for benefits even if they refer to you as an independent contractor.

As an Amazon delivery driver injury lawyer, Bobby Jones Law explores all possibilities for our clients to pursue compensation.

When You Can File a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim

You can file a third-party personal injury claim if someone other than your employer is responsible for your injuries, as shown in the examples below.

Car accident. The cause of injury is a car accident, and a third party is at fault.
Premises liability. You’re hurt because of a dangerous condition on someone’s property.
Dog or animal attack. An animal attacked you as you were making a delivery.
Non-employer negligence. You work for a DSP or as an independent contractor, and Amazon is at fault because of the logistics before the package reached your employer.
Shipper negligence. A problem with packaging, including toxic or hazardous materials, resulted in injury.
Vehicle defect. A vehicle defect caused an accident.
Road hazard. An object in the roadway caused an accident.

The criteria for a third-party injury claim include the cause of the injury and the party responsible. Responsibility must fall on someone other than the employer due to negligence or more serious misconduct.

What To Do After a Delivery Driver Injury in Greenville

If you’re injured as a delivery driver in Greenville, SC, it’s important to follow these steps:

Make sure you’re safe from further harm.
Seek immediate medical attention.
Report the accident to your employer.
If the injury is because of a motor vehicle accident, report it to the police.
Look at your surroundings—note who is present, what objects are present, and if you see any surveillance cameras.
Take photos of the accident scene. Inspect and photograph objects involved, such as packages, equipment, or fixtures.
Gather witness names and contact information.
Save things related to the incident, such as what you were wearing at the time, communications with your employer, and records of medical care.

As you receive medical care, save bills and receipts for all out-of-pocket expenses. Keep records of lost work, including from any other employers. Obtain help from an Amazon accident lawyer to file for workers’ compensation and personal injury compensation.

Types of Compensation Available for Amazon Driver Accidents

Compensation for accidents involving an Amazon driver varies based on the type of claim. If you file a workers’ compensation claim, you may receive benefits, such as paid medical care, replacement income, and disability pay. Alternatively, a personal injury claim can provide coverage for medical bills, out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. If your personal vehicle is damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation for those repairs. Additionally, you may be able to claim for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish.

You may have one or both types of claims available to you. A Bobby Jones Law Amazon delivery driver accident lawyer can evaluate your claim and pursue your benefits.