Amazon delivery vehicles have become a fixture on Seattle streets, and with that volume of traffic comes a growing number of accidents. If you've been hit by an Amazon driver, your first instinct might be to assume Amazon is responsible, but the answer is a bit more complicated than it looks.

Amazon has built its delivery network largely around third-party delivery service partners (DSPs), which are independent companies that hire drivers, own the vehicles, and operate under contract with Amazon. At first glance, this structure seems designed to shield Amazon from direct liability. But that doesn't mean Amazon gets off the hook, and an experienced attorney knows how to pursue the right parties.

When an Amazon delivery driver causes an accident, there are typically multiple potential sources of liability. The driver themselves may be personally liable for negligent driving. The DSP that employed them may be liable as employers responsible for their employees' actions during the course of employment. Additionally, Amazon itself may also share liability. Amazon exercises enough control over its delivery drivers through tracking apps, delivery quotas, routing software, and strict time requirements. A genuine agency relationship may exist depending how much control Amazon excercised over the specific driver. Amazon also carries its own commercial insurance policy that may apply depending on the circumstances.

These cases require moving quickly. Evidence like driver logs, delivery route data, dashcam footage, and internal Amazon communications can be crucial and can disappear fast if you don't take steps to preserve it. A letter to preserve evidence should be sent as soon as possible after the accident. If you've been injured by an Amazon delivery driver in the Seattle area, call us at (206) 673-1612 to speak with a personal injury attorney at My Injury Law Firm.