We live in a world where anything we desire can be delivered lightning-fast.
In 2025, Amazon delivered over 13 billion items via same-day or next-day delivery, setting a new delivery record. Fedex averages 16 million packages per day, while UPS delivers an average of over 20 million.
The number of delivery trucks on the road has led to chaos and accidents on New York streets.
According to a recent CNBC news report, 20 percent of Amazon delivery drivers were injured in 2021 while on duty, likely due to increasing pressure to make more and more deliveries in less and less time.
If you are hit by one of these vehicles, injuries may be severe and insurance settlements and lawsuits can quickly become complicated. I’ll tell you more about what you must know in order to navigate these types of accidents below. If you have been hit by a delivery driver, a delivery driver crash attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to help. For a free consultation, call 1-800-NOW-HURT.
Pressure on Drivers Leads to Increased Accidents
According to a recent CBS news report, Amazon drivers have significantly higher numbers of safety violations than drivers employed by other delivery companies. Speeding, texting, and other unsafe driving behaviors were found to be 89 percent higher than other carriers between 2019 and 2024.
Although Amazon may be the most problematic, as numbers of deliveries continue to increase, all delivery companies are at risk of causing accidents, injuries, and deaths.
Driver fatigue or distraction, traffic violations, and driving under the influence are all common causes of accidents, but delivery drivers are more likely than other drivers to cause crashes. Not only are they under pressure to deliver packages quickly in order to keep their jobs, but drivers do not always receive proper training. Even when they do, large vehicles are significantly harder to safely maneuver: blind spots make changing lanes and backing up challenging. Large vehicles also cause a greater impact upon collision, so even if an accident occurs at the speed limit or below it, victims’ injuries can be severe.
The Role of No-Fault Laws
If a delivery driver’s negligence caused your accident and your injuries are serious, you may be entitled to compensation, but New York state laws will have an impact on how your damages will be paid. Since New York is a no-fault state, even if a delivery driver caused the accident that led to your injuries, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance will be responsible for the first $50,000 in damages.
The one exception to this rule is if your injuries qualify as serious under New York law, in which case you can sue the negligent party for hospital bills, lost work time, pain and suffering, and other injury-related expenses. Under section 5102, a to be considered serious, a personal injury must result in at least one of the following:
- Death
- Dismemberment or significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- The loss of a fetus
- Permanent inability to use a body organ or system, or permanent limitation of an organ or member, body function or system
- A non-permanent impairment that keeps you from conducting your regular life activities for at least 90 days during the 180 days following the accident in question.
If you believe your injuries may qualify as serious after a delivery driver accident, a New York delivery driver crash attorney can explain your legal rights and properly assess the damages you are entitled to. If your PIP insurance has been maxed out after an accident and you believe you will have continued pain and suffering you are owed compensation for, get in touch with Buttafuoco & Associates to learn about potential next steps.
Liability after a Delivery Crash Can be Tricky
Nearly every delivery crash is different. Depending on the specific circumstances, anyone from the driver to the company to a parts manufacturer could be liable for your injuries.
If a delivery driver’s negligence–such as carelessly running a red light or hitting you when they quickly swerved to pass–caused the crash that led to your injuries, it may seem at first glance like the driver is responsible.
However, under what is known legally as “vicarious liability,” if an on-duty driver causes a crash that results in serious injuries while using a company delivery vehicle, the company’s insurance will typically cover accident-related costs.
But keep in mind that vicarious liability only applies if an on-duty driver is making a delivery or is en route to a warehouse or store to pick up an order. If the driver was off-duty and driving a company delivery vehicle, they could still be considered personally responsible.
In a different scenario, let’s say a serious accident occurs when a UPS truck driver rear-ends a vehicle at a stop light. If the driver simply failed to stop because they were texting while driving, UPS may be considered liable.
If the brakes went out and caused the accident, then the company may be responsible if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle.
If the brakes were faulty to begin with, or improperly installed, the repair company or the brake manufacturer, or even the original vehicle manufacturer could be considered liable to some degree. Sometimes there is a combination of responsible parties, so you can see where these situations can get complicated.
When to Consult a Lawyer After a Delivery Accident
Even if your accident was minor and will be handled by your insurance company, sometimes they will refuse to pay you the amount you need to recover from your injuries. Insurance companies are notorious for minimizing payouts at victims’ expense, resulting in longer or less successful recoveries.
If you feel that your insurance company is not taking the responsibility they should, a delivery driver crash lawyer in New York at Buttafuoco & Associates can help you negotiate with them. If your injuries are serious, a lawyer can also help you file a lawsuit and recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to under New York law.
After a delivery driver accident, Buttafuoco & Associates will handle the details so you can focus on your recovery. We have successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Get in touch for a free consultation at 1-800-NOW-HURT.