Are Delivery Drivers Contributing to a Rise in Car Accidents?

Throughout New Jersey and the rest of the nation, delivery drivers have many packages to drop off each day. With online ordering becoming so popular, many large companies work to get their deliveries shipped as fast as possible. However, these drivers working at such a fast pace could be contributing to more automobile accidents.

What’s Causing Delivery Driver-Involved Crashes?

According to a recent report from ProPublica and BuzzFeed News, Amazon’s delivery drivers became involved in 60 separate motor vehicle accidents in the past five years. These accidents caused the deaths of 13 people and contributed to many more injuries.

Executives from Amazon reportedly declined to implement newly proposed safety measures for drivers. These measures called for Amazon drivers to take part in increased safety requirements. There was also a proposal to drug-test all of Amazon’s drivers.

Another possible reason for these delivery driver-involved collisions has to do with Rabbit, Amazon’s GPS app. According to this same investigation, drivers reported that Rabbit would sometimes give incorrect and unsafe directions.

Amazon’s Response to These Allegations

In a statement released to BuzzFeed News, an Amazon spokesperson denied any allegations of the company putting profits over driver safety. This hasn’t been the first time Amazon has had to respond to safety concerns. In 2021, the company responded to a request from senators to safety concerns about its delivery network and stated that safety is “Amazon’s top priority.”

If you were involved in a collision with a delivery driver, it could be wise to get in touch with a car accident attorney. Vicarious liability might apply to the case, meaning you may be able to hold the driver’s employer responsible for your injuries. An experienced attorney may evaluate your case and inform you of your legal options.