Amazon deliveries have become a normal part of life. We rely on those familiar vans to bring us everything from groceries to furniture. But with the increase in Amazon deliveries, there’s also been a rise in accidents involving Amazon delivery drivers. In Missouri, like in other states, these accidents can have serious consequences. One major factor contributing to these accidents is inadequate training.
What Does “Inadequate Training” Mean?
“Inadequate training” means that a driver hasn’t been given the proper instruction and practice to do their job safely. It’s like being asked to bake a cake without a recipe or the right ingredients – you might get lucky, but the chances of a mess are high. For delivery drivers, inadequate training can involve several areas:
- Safe Driving Techniques: This includes basic skills like turning, merging, backing up, and parking, but also how to handle different weather conditions (like Missouri’s snow and ice) and how to drive defensively to avoid accidents.
- Vehicle Handling: Amazon drivers use different types of vehicles, from smaller cars to large vans. Each vehicle handles differently, and drivers need to know how to operate their specific vehicle safely.
- Delivery Procedures: This isn’t just about dropping off a package. It includes things like finding addresses, navigating routes efficiently, and knowing where to safely park the vehicle while making a delivery.
- Time Management and Pressure: Amazon is known for its fast delivery times. Drivers often face pressure to meet tight deadlines. Inadequate training might not teach drivers how to manage their time effectively without resorting to unsafe practices like speeding or rushing.
- Using Technology: Amazon uses technology, like GPS and apps, to track drivers and manage deliveries. Drivers need to be trained on how to use these tools safely, without getting distracted while driving.
Why Inadequate Training Leads to Accidents
When drivers aren’t properly trained, they’re more likely to make mistakes that cause accidents. Here are some examples:
- Lack of Awareness: A driver who hasn’t been trained on defensive driving might not anticipate potential hazards, like a car suddenly braking in front of them.
- Poor Vehicle Control: A driver who doesn’t understand how to handle a large van in windy conditions might lose control and cause a collision.
- Distraction: A driver struggling to use a navigation app because they weren’t properly trained might take their eyes off the road, leading to an accident.
- Rushing and Speeding: A driver who feels pressured to meet unrealistic delivery quotas might speed or make unsafe maneuvers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fatigue: Drivers who are not trained on how to manage their time may work longer hours, leading to accidents.
Missouri’s Laws and Employer Responsibility
In Missouri, employers have a legal responsibility to make sure their employees are properly trained to do their jobs safely. This is especially true for jobs that involve driving, where the risks are higher. This falls under the concept of “negligence.”
- Negligence: In simple terms, negligence means failing to act with reasonable care. If an employer like Amazon (or a company contracted by Amazon) doesn’t provide adequate training, and that lack of training contributes to an accident, they can be held liable.
- Vicarious Liability: Missouri also recognizes the principle of “vicarious liability.” This means that an employer can be held responsible for the actions of their employees if those actions occur within the scope of their employment. So, if an Amazon delivery driver causes an accident while on the job, Amazon (or their contractor) could be held liable.
- Negligent Hiring: If Amazon is found to engage in negligent hiring practices, such as hiring drivers without proper qualifications, they may be held liable.
The Complicated Relationship Between Amazon and its Drivers
It’s important to understand that many Amazon delivery drivers aren’t directly employed by Amazon. Instead, they often work for “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs), which are independent companies contracted by Amazon. This can make liability in accident cases more complex.
However, even if a driver works for a DSP, Amazon can still be held liable if it’s shown that they exerted significant control over the driver’s actions or if inadequate training provided by Amazon contributed to the accident. For example, if Amazon sets unrealistic delivery quotas that force drivers to rush, or if they fail to provide adequate training on their delivery technology, they could share responsibility for an accident.
Real-World Consequences
Accidents involving delivery drivers can have devastating consequences, including:
- Serious Injuries: These can range from broken bones and whiplash to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
- Financial Burden: Medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs can create a significant financial strain on victims and their families.
- Emotional Trauma: Accidents can cause anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Proving Inadequate Training
If you’re involved in an accident with an Amazon delivery driver in Missouri, proving that inadequate training played a role can be crucial to your case. This might involve:
- Investigating the Driver’s Training Records: An attorney can help obtain records from Amazon or the DSP to see what training the driver received.
- Examining Amazon’s Training Policies: This can reveal whether Amazon’s training programs are sufficient to meet safety standards.
- Gathering Witness Testimony: Talking to other drivers or people who witnessed the accident can provide evidence of unsafe driving practices.
- Analyzing Accident Reports: Police reports and other accident documentation can help establish the cause of the crash.
- Reviewing Technology Data: Data from the driver’s navigation app or other devices might show evidence of speeding, distracted driving, or other unsafe behaviors.
The Bigger Picture: A National Issue
The problem of inadequate training and delivery driver accidents isn’t limited to Missouri. It’s a nationwide concern, as Amazon’s delivery network continues to expand. Reports have shown that Amazon delivery drivers are involved in accidents at a higher rate than some other delivery companies. This suggests a systemic problem that needs to be addressed.
What Can Be Done?
Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach:
- Stronger Training Requirements: Amazon and its DSPs need to implement comprehensive training programs that cover all aspects of safe driving and delivery.
- Realistic Expectations: Amazon needs to set delivery quotas and schedules that don’t pressure drivers to take unsafe risks.
- Better Oversight: Amazon needs to monitor driver performance and ensure that they’re following safe driving practices.
- Accountability: Holding Amazon and its DSPs accountable for accidents caused by inadequate training is essential to deterring future negligence.
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an Amazon delivery driver in Missouri, it’s important to seek legal help. Monge & Associates has 32 offices in 19 states, including Missouri, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania, and we’re experienced in handling these types of cases. We can help you investigate the accident, determine liability, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us now for a free consultation at (888) 477-0597 and let us fight for you.