Amazon delivery vehicles have been seen more and more on our streets and highways over the last few years, and as of 2020, more people than ever are ordering things online due to COVID19. Operators of Amazon Prime delivery vans and tractor-trailers are working to get everyone their packages as quickly as possible.
A Buzzfeed News article claims overworked contractors have brought death and carnage to America’s streets and at least one tractor-trailer driver has filed a lawsuit, claiming he was required to operate a tractor-trailer without his federally mandated breaks.
With daily deadlines and ever-increasing numbers of Prime packages, accidents are going to occur. In 2020, a Prime truck crashed in North Carolina, one crashed in Texas, two Prime trucks collided in Chicago, and we recently had a horrific crash here in New Jersey on the Turnpike.
Accidents on the New Jersey Turnpike
Given the high number of vehicles and their speeds on the 148 miles of the New Jersey Turnpike, crashes involving large trucks and tractor-trailers aren’t unusual. It’s the magnitude of a few of the impacts that are devastating.
According to video on 6abc.com, New Jersey State Police said an Amazon Prime truck was traveling at a high rate of speed when it rear-ended a Toyota Camry in June 2020. The impact was so severe that a crane had to be called to the scene to lift the truck from the car. Tragically, a 1-year-old boy was killed, a 3-year-old boy in the car suffered serious injuries, and two adult women suffered injuries as well. Nearly all rear-end collisions involving tractor-trailers occur due to a driver’s negligence. A driver who is intoxicated, distracted, or negligently following a vehicle at an unsafe distance can cause a horrific crash like this one.
Most truckers, including Amazon truckers, are held to a higher standard than regular motorists. In fact, if there are hazardous conditions, truckers are to use “extreme caution” and be much more mindful of potential hazards than normal drivers due to the extremely heavy pieces of equipment they’re operating.
While rear-end collisions are probably the most common on the Turnpike, other types of collisions which could occur with Amazon trucks include jackknifing, rollovers and unsafe lane changes or blind spot accidents
Speak to an Experienced Attorney after any Amazon Truck Crash.
Many truck accidents involve a wreck which was clearly the trucker’s fault. However, trucking companies have sophisticated insurance carriers and experienced truck accident lawyers working on their side. Their primary goal is to delay, minimize, or deny any claims against them, especially if there is a serious injury or a wrongful death claim.
Always speak to a seasoned attorney after any crash involving a UPS, FedEx, USPS, Amazon, or any other type of delivery truck.
Attorney Edith Pearce represents clients involved in tractor-trailer accidents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash with any type of tractor-trailer in either state, contact her today for a free, confidential consultation. We will provide compassionate and personal attention to you and your family.
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