Attorneys For Injured Amazon Flex Drivers

Amazon Flex drivers face many risks while making deliveries. A car crash, a fall at a customer’s home or an injury while loading packages can lead to medical bills and lost income. But Amazon Flex drivers generally work as independent contractors, not Amazon employees. This can affect the benefits and legal options available after an injury.

At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we help injured people understand their rights and options. Our attorneys can help you explore a third-party personal injury claim if someone else’s actions caused your injury. Receive a free initial consultation by calling 312-724-5846 or sending us an email.

Understanding Your Legal Options As An Amazon Flex Driver

Amazon Flex drivers generally work as independent contractors, not Amazon employees. They do not have the same workers’ compensation coverage as eligible employees. However, your work arrangement may affect your eligibility for benefits. If you believe you may qualify as an employee, an attorney can review the facts.

You may still have legal options after a delivery-related injury. If another driver, property owner or business caused the accident, you may be able to file a third-party personal injury claim.

After an accident, take steps to protect your health and keep a record of what happened:

1. Get medical care: See a doctor as soon as possible, even if your injuries do not seem serious at first. Follow your doctor’s advice and keep your medical records.
2. Record what happened: Write down when and where the accident occurred and how you were hurt. Include details about the events that led to your injury.
3. Keep supporting documents: Save medical bills, photos of the accident scene and your injuries, repair bills and any messages related to the incident.
4. Gather witness details: If anyone saw the accident, get their names and contact information.

These records can help your attorney review the circumstances, identify who may be responsible and assess whether you have grounds for a claim.

Frequent Injuries Amazon Flex Drivers Sustain

Amazon Flex drivers sustain different types of injuries due to their various duties. Here are some examples of the frequent injuries we see Amazon Flex drivers suffer on the job.

Back And Spinal Cord Injuries

Amazon Flex drivers may sustain back and spinal cord injuries while making deliveries. Long hours behind the wheel expose your body to constant road vibrations, while prolonged sitting can lead to back pain. Lifting heavy packages can also cause herniated discs and other spinal injuries. A car crash may damage the spinal discs, ligaments, vertebrae, soft tissues and nerves. In severe cases, it can cause permanent spinal cord damage.

Broken Bones

Amazon Flex drivers face several risks that can lead to broken bones. A package falling from your vehicle, for example, could land on your foot and cause a Lisfranc (midfoot) injury. A car crash could also leave you with a broken collarbone. Fractures vary in type and severity. They include transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted, greenstick and open fractures. Depending on the injury, you may have difficulty returning to your regular delivery duties.

Head Injuries

A head injury can happen in a car crash, a fall on a customer’s sidewalk or when a package strikes your head. These injuries can affect the brain, scalp or skull. Common examples include hematomas, concussions, brain hemorrhages, skull fractures and diffuse axonal injuries. Some head injuries can have serious, life-altering effects.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries can happen during everyday delivery tasks. You might pull a heavy package from an awkward position in your trunk, lift a box while twisting your body or reach across your vehicle repeatedly. Catching a falling package with an outstretched arm can also strain your shoulder.

These injuries range from sprains and tendonitis to impingement, bursitis, labral tears, dislocations and rotator cuff damage. Symptoms may include pain when lifting or reaching, weakness, clicking or catching in the joint and limited movement. Some people also feel pain that spreads to the neck or down the arm. Depending on the severity, a shoulder injury may keep you from working for weeks, months or longer.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Amazon Flex drivers can also develop repetitive stress injuries (RSIs). These injuries occur when you repeat the same movements or tasks over time. For drivers, common causes include:

• Repeatedly lifting and carrying packages
• Gripping and scanning parcels throughout the day
• Opening and closing vehicle doors
• Climbing in and out of the vehicle
• Twisting to reach packages
• Walking up stairs or across uneven surfaces

Common RSIs include carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, bursitis and tennis elbow. You can learn more about soft tissue damage caused by long-term repetitive stress.

Pursuing A Third-Party Claim For Amazon Flex Drivers

If another driver, property owner or other party caused your injury, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. To bring a claim, you generally must show that the other party had a duty to keep you safe, failed to meet that duty and caused your injury and losses. Our lawyers can review the facts and help you pursue a 3rd party claim when the evidence supports one.

Recovering Lost Income After An Amazon Flex Accident

If another party caused your injury, you may be able to seek compensation for lost income and reduced future earning capacity. Delivery records, payment statements and medical records can help show how your injuries affected your ability to work. Our personal injury lawyers can help assess these losses and pursue a claim.

Wrongful Death Claims Involving Amazon Flex Drivers

If another party’s negligence causes a fatal accident, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Our wrongful death lawyers can help your family understand its legal options.

Free Consultation For Injured Amazon Flex Drivers

If you are an injured Amazon flex driver or a family member of a driver who lost their life, we want to help you. Our compassionate legal team will walk you through the entire third-party or wrongful death claim process. We keep you informed every step of the way. Get started with a free initial consultation by calling us at 312-724-5846 or sending us an email.