The Fatal Impact of Contract Drivers
Iliana Velez, a freshman at the University of Texas, was working at an Amazon fulfillment center in the early hours of January 3, 2022. Velez went on her scheduled break in the morning but was forced off the road by a contract driver for Amazon, Jordan Sannicola, who was driving a box truck to pick up an Amazon shipment. Velez was driving a Mazda, which rolled over multiple times after being struck by the delivery truck. At 19 years old, Velez was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Sannicola fled the accident and attempted to destroy the evidence by painting his truck and disposing of his phone and tablet. Four weeks after the crash, Sannicola was identified and found at an Amazon facility in Kyle, Texas, operating the same box truck that killed Iliana. After Sannicola was arrested, his driving record was released and revealed disturbing information that could potentially hold Amazon partially liable for Velez’s death.
Trula Velez, Iliana’s mother, filed a lawsuit against Amazon that, “alleges Amazon had previously rejected Sannicola’s application to deliver packages for the company’s ‘flex’ home delivery service after he failed a background check.” (CBS) After being denied he reapplied to the “Take Flight with B” trucking company that would allow him to work for the Amazon Relay Program. The North Carolina trucking company hired him, permitting him to move Amazon freight. At the time of the accident, Sannicola was lacking the necessary Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive the box truck. He also had various outstanding warrants and was driving with a suspended driver’s license.
Sannicola told police that he had been using a hand-held mobile device when he hit Velez’s vehicle. Not only that, but Velez’s lawsuit also alleges that Amazon failed to act when their application to monitor drivers’ performances, Relay, reported Sannicola’s unsafe driving behavior on multiple occasions, including 70 different speeding violations.
In 2024, Sannicola was sentenced to 40 years in prison, although Amazon continues to fight taking any accountability. Trula Velez’s lawsuit against Amazon is set to go to trial in January 2025.
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Amazon’s Lack of Accountability
Ans Rana, an aspiring doctor, was driving on Interstate 75 outside of Atlanta to see his sister. As his Tesla came to a stop, a contract Amazon driver in a heavy truck crashed into the back of his vehicle, going nearly 14 miles over the speed limit. Rana’s car was pushed across the highway and hit again by a Toyota Corolla before reaching the interstate’s median.
Rana barely survived, maintaining several life-threatening injuries including a traumatic brain injury and damage to his spinal cord. Even with months of physical therapy and rehabilitation, Rana still cannot use his arms or legs. He currently lives with his sister and requires help to complete any necessary, daily tasks, such as brushing his teeth or feeding himself. Rana’s medical bills have exceeded $2 million.
In June 2021, Rana sued Amazon and accused them of negligent practices and their app telling the driver the wrong speed limit. Rana’s lawsuit claims that the intense pressure of maintaining an unrealistic delivery schedule forces drivers to prioritize speed over safety. In addition to suing Amazon, Rana is also suing Harper Logistics LLC (the contracted company), Bryan Williams (the driver), and Old Republic (Harper Logistics’ Insurance Company). Amazon continues to deny their liability due to the driver being employed by Harper Logistics.
Studies Show the True Danger of Amazon’s Contract Drivers
A 72-month study done by CBS News found that Amazon’s contract drivers pose greater risks to the safety of our roads than previously known. CBS News utilized roadside inspection reports found in federal data to determine the identities of Amazon contractors and examined six years’ worth of monthly unsafe driving rates provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Based on FMCSA data CBS News reported:
- Contract drivers of Amazon had at least 89% higher average rates of speeding, texting, and other driving violations when compared to other carriers in every month of the study.
- In most months of the study, the average unsafe driving rate of Amazon’s contract drivers was more than double other carriers.
- The FMCSA has reported that from 2022 until now, at least 57 people have been killed in over 48 crashes involving federally managed carriers for Amazon.
Many of the contracted companies used to deliver for Amazon have been given a “conditional” rating from the Department of Transportation, meaning their safety standards do not meet those of the FMCSA. Amazon’s policies state that they will not use a contractor that has a conditional rating or below, however government records have shown otherwise. Since 2020, Amazon has hired 48 companies with conditional ratings, although they claimed to have suspended 39 of them according to the Wall Street Journal.
Employing Contract Drivers
Amazon works with tens of thousands of contractors to help them move freight around the world. This allows for a higher rate of shipments to be transported, but there have been fatal consequences to using other companies’ drivers. Amazon’s global legal director for road safety, Tim Goodman, states that Amazon utilizes FMCSA standards to oversee all contracted drivers moving Amazon freight in a large vehicle. The FMCSA only requires background checks for contracted drivers that dispatch a vehicle with a gross weight rating over 10,000 pounds. These background checks are conducted often, although sometimes the results are ignored and a driver with a history of safety violations is employed.
Amazon claims that any contractor who violates the FMCSA guidelines will face consequences. Tim Goodman stated that Amazon has “taken disciplinary action against around 19,000 motor carries for failing to meet FMCSA safety requirement.” (CBS) However, Goodman continues to defend the ongoing use of third-party contractors to transport Amazon packages. Using contractors makes Amazon’s safety standards undeniably less consistent and allows the company to dodge liability for accidents caused by contract drivers.
Harsh Conditions for Amazon Drivers
Most delivery drivers for Amazon work 10-hour shifts, four days a week. Throughout the shift, they are offered one 30-minute lunch break and two additional 15-minute breaks. However, with the increasing pressure to finish delivery routes on time, an Amazon delivery driver interviewed by VICE reported that, “if you want to finish the route, sometimes you have to skip the break.” (VICE) Working long hours without taking the necessary breaks can lead to fatigue and dangerous driving.
Many Amazon delivery drivers fear losing their job if they do not meet the daily quota on time. Regardless of increased shipments or unsafe road conditions, Amazon persists that their drivers should always complete their route on time. Consequently, drivers become exhausted, over-worked, and pose a greater risk to themselves and others on the road.
What will happen next?
In 2024, a young boy was hit by an Amazon delivery truck while he was crossing a street in his neighborhood. The large truck ran over the child, fractured his pelvis, and gave him a “degloving injury,” which left the boy with permanent scarring even after multiple skin grafts.
In August this year, the Gwinnett County State Court in Georgie awarded $16.2 million to the young boy for his pain and suffering, and to cover his previous medical expenses. The jury found Amazon Logistics to be 85% at fault for negligent training and the contract driver, Jowann Cowen, was found to be 10% at fault. A non-party individual was found to be 5% at fault because they were responsible for watching the child at the time of the accident. The jury determined that Amazon had enough control over the contract company, Fly Fella, to take on liability as Cowen’s employer.
Throughout the four-day trial, it was revealed that Amazon did not implement the necessary driver-safety training program until after the accident occurred. Cowen, the driver at-fault, never received the proper safety training prior to delivering Amazon packages. One of Amazon’s main arguments was alleging that the father was a negligent parent that should have been supervising his child. This blatant attack on the victim’s father helped the jury see Amazon’s true intentions to limit their liability rather than prioritize safety.
Although this verdict is the first step in holding Amazon accountable, the courts have yet to fully agree on Amazon’s liability for accidents caused by contract drivers. Several pending cases, including Trula Velez’s lawsuit, may help clarify Amazon’s liability in other, similar cases. Amazon continues to argue that they have limited control of their contract drivers and therefore cannot be held responsible for their safety.
Contact a Columbus Amazon Truck Accident Lawyer Today
It is important to have an experienced attorney on your side when going up against the world’s fastest growing online retailer. With over thirty years’ experience advocating for victims against large corporations, The Fitch Law Firm encourages you to focus on healing while we guide you through the legal process. Our dedicated attorneys will:
- Collect evidence including witness statements and police reports to bolster your case.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
- Prepare for any outcome, including taking your case to trial to ensure you are compensated sufficiently. The Fitch Law Firm has an established reputation for taking personal injury cases to trial, see our case results here.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving an Amazon delivery vehicle, contact a Columbus Amazon Truck Accident Lawyer for a free consultation.