Quick answer
If an Amazon or other delivery van hit you in Michigan, you can usually claim no-fault benefits and also pursue the at-fault driver and the company behind the van. Many Amazon vans are operated by independent Delivery Service Partner companies, so identifying the right employer and insurance policy is the first job in these cases.
- Often operated by
- Contracted delivery companies
- Key evidence
- Route and telematics data
- Deadline to sue
- Generally 3 years
About delivery van accident cases
Delivery vans make dozens of stops on nearly every street in Jackson County. Drivers work against route quotas, check handheld devices and make frequent stops, U-turns and backing maneuvers.
These crashes often involve the retailer, a contracted delivery company, the van's owner and their insurers. Inosencio & Fisk untangles those relationships, preserves route and telematics data and pursues every source of compensation.
Common causes of delivery van crashes
- Speeding and rolling stops to meet route quotas
- Distraction from handheld scanners and routing apps
- Unsafe backing in driveways and parking lots
- Double parking and sudden stops
- Driver fatigue on long peak-season shifts
- Thin training from contracted delivery companies
Who may be responsible
Truck cases often involve more than one responsible party, and each may carry its own insurance. We look at all of them.
Delivery driver
Speeding, distraction, rolling stops or unsafe backing.
Delivery Service Partner
The contracted company that employs the driver and often insures the van.
Retailer or logistics company
May share responsibility depending on how much control it has over drivers and routes.
Van owner or leasing company
Insurance coverage and maintenance duties.
Maintenance provider
Worn brakes, tires or lights.
Evidence we move to preserve
Trucking companies are only required to keep some records for months, and electronic data can be overwritten. We send preservation letters right away.
- Route, stop and delivery scan records
- Telematics, speed and GPS data
- In-van camera footage
- Contracts between the retailer and delivery company
- Driver hiring and training records
- Doorbell and home security video from the street
What you may be able to recover
Michigan claims usually have two parts.
No-fault (PIP) benefits
Paid by your own or a household auto policy, regardless of fault.
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses, based on your policy's coverage level
- Lost wages for up to three years, subject to statutory limits
- Replacement services such as household help
- Attendant care and mileage to medical appointments
Claim against the at-fault parties
For losses no-fault does not cover.
- Pain and suffering, when the injury meets Michigan's threshold
- Wage loss beyond no-fault's limits
- Medical costs beyond your policy's coverage level
- Future care and lost earning capacity
- Vehicle and property damage
Michigan law at a glance
| Rule | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| No-fault (PIP) claim notice | Written notice to the insurer within 1 year of the crash | MCL 500.3145 |
| Lawsuit against at-fault parties | Generally within 3 years of the crash | MCL 600.5805 |
| Pain and suffering threshold | Serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement or death | MCL 500.3135 |
| Shared fault | Recovery is reduced by your share of fault; more than 50% bars pain and suffering | MCL 500.3135(2)(b) |
| Truck driver hours | 11 hours driving after 10 off, no driving past the 14th hour on duty, 30-minute break after 8 hours driving | 49 CFR 395.3 |
| Claims against government | Written notice deadlines as short as 120 days for road defects | MCL 691.1404 |
Deadlines have exceptions and some are shorter. Talk to a lawyer before relying on any date.
What to do after a delivery van crash
Get medical care and follow up
Some injuries, including brain injuries, show up days later. Medical records link the injury to the crash.
Report the crash
Call police and get the report number. Crashes involving commercial vehicles are often investigated in more detail.
Photograph everything
The vehicles, company names, USDOT numbers, the scene, skid marks and your injuries.
Skip the recorded statement
Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer before you talk with a lawyer.
Start your no-fault claim
Notify your auto insurer in writing and keep every bill. The notice deadline is generally one year.
Call a lawyer early
We send preservation letters so driver logs, black box data and video are not overwritten or thrown away.
Amazon and Delivery Vans: common questions
Who is responsible when an Amazon delivery van hits someone?
Many Amazon vans are operated by independent Delivery Service Partner companies rather than by Amazon itself. Responsibility can depend on who employed the driver, who owned the van and what insurance applies, which is why these cases need careful investigation.
Are FedEx and UPS delivery crashes handled the same way?
Not always. Some delivery companies employ their drivers directly while others use contractors. The company structure affects who is responsible and which insurance policies apply.
What causes delivery vehicle accidents?
Tight delivery schedules can lead to speeding, distracted driving while using routing devices, rolling stops, unsafe backing and double parking. These are common factors we look for.
Can I make a claim if a delivery van hit my parked car or my home?
Yes. Property damage claims are also handled through the responsible party's insurance. In Michigan, no-fault rules have specific provisions for damage to parked vehicles and property.
What should I do after a crash with a delivery van?
Get medical care, call police, photograph the van including any company names and numbers, and get the driver's employer information. Then contact an attorney before speaking with the company's insurer.
