Man sues Amazon over van collision and blames ‘undue pressure’ on drivers

A North Carolina motorcyclist is suing Amazon for $100m after a collision with a delivery driver resulted in the amputation of his left leg. The man says Amazon's pressure on its employees rendered the driver distracted and caused the crash.

The accident happened in October when motorcyclist Justin Hartley was hit by a Hertz truck with an Amazon logo in Virginia Beach.

According to the lawsuit, the driver, Christopher Gill, admitted after the crash that he had his eyes on directions on his GPS, provided by Amazon, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

The accident left Hartley gravely injured: it fractured his left wrist and he had to have his left knee amputated.

"The unrealistic expectations that are put on the drivers are fueling these negligence cases," said Kevin Biniazan, the attorney representing Hartley. "The driver was so entranced in making his delivery that he did not see our client."

Biniazan said the accident was "preventable", and the lawsuit places the blame on the Amazon itself, deepening allegations of harsh working conditions for Amazon workers that have dogged the company for years.

Delivery drivers have shared horror stories, including working 14-hour shifts and having to urinate in plastic bottles instead of going to the bathroom due to the intense demands of the job.