Lawsuit Says Amazon Chargeable for Crash That Paralyzed Man

A person concerned in a crash with an Amazon supply van filed a lawsuit in Georgia state courtroom. Bloomberg studies the lawsuit alleges Amazon is liable and cited the corporate’s strategies used to observe its supply drivers. 

The person, Ans Rana, was struck from behind by a blue Amazon supply van in Atlanta again in March. The crash despatched 24-year-old Rana to the hospital with mind and spinal twine accidents and in the end paralyzed him. 

Amazon claims it’s not legally culpable as a result of the driving force didn’t instantly work for Amazon. As an alternative, the driving force labored for Harper Logistics LLC, one in every of many Supply Service Companions (DSPs) Amazon makes use of to make deliveries. Nevertheless, drivers put on Amazon uniforms and drive vans that includes the corporate’s identify and emblem. 

The drivers are required to make use of the Flex app which screens deliveries and the employees’ performances. Amazon additionally makes use of cameras and different {hardware} put in within the supply vans. In June, studies got here out of Amazon firing drivers by way of the app’s algorithms. Nevertheless, a number of drivers contested the firings claiming unfair termination. 

Some drivers mentioned points out of their management, similar to flat tires and locked house complexes, may result in their termination. 

Rana’s lawsuit makes the argument these practices make Amazon negligent and mentioned the corporate “compelled drivers to hurry to the purpose it was unsafe” and “centered on velocity and supply effectivity with out giving due consideration to the protection of the general public.” The lawsuit additionally alleges the van traveled 67.73 miles per hour in a 55 mile-per-hour zone when it hit the automotive and despatched it into one other lane the place it was struck by one other automotive. 

This isn’t the one authorized matter involving Amazon supply drivers. A regulation agency within the UK just lately filed an worker rights declare which states the drivers deserve worker rights similar to eligibility for Nationwide Minimal Wage or an employment contract.