Delivery drivers must deal with California traffic so customers can enjoy the convenience of food and groceries showing up at their front door. Even though becoming a delivery driver for companies like Doordash or Grubhub may be a simple process, the job itself is far from easy.
For one, most deliveries happen at peak times of the day or night, when you have to fight through rush hour or navigate congested streets. On weekend nights, you’re more likely to be on the road with others who are driving recklessly or under the influence. Meanwhile, the faster you make deliveries, the more you get paid – and you’re fighting other drivers for the best tips.
So it’s no surprise when car accidents happen while drivers are out on deliveries, especially in Los Angeles and other cities on Central California’s major transport corridors. Delivery drivers must also worry about getting hit by other cars when they get out of their own vehicles.
As an independent contractor delivering for companies like Doordash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Weee, Bakkal, or even your local grocery store, you have rights. However, your situation is likely to be more complicated than a regular accident. If you get injured, who can you sue to recover compensation? Are you covered by your own insurance or would your delivery company’s insurance cover you? Who would cover the damage to your car? What about the income you miss while you wait for your car to be repaired?
The only way to find out your best legal options is to talk to a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling cases involving delivery accidents and delivery services.
As a delivery driver, your job is to be on the road when other people don’t want to be. That means you’re the one driving in bad traffic or bad weather. Some of the worst hazards include:
If you get into a car accident or if another vehicle hits you while you’re out on a delivery, you could suffer serious injuries. Your car could get damaged or totaled. Meanwhile, you could lose your ability to earn an income because you can’t work or your car is unavailable.
The more time you spend on the road, the higher your chances of getting in an accident. What happens if you get into a crash on a delivery? Who is responsible for your losses?
If you get into a traffic accident while out on a delivery for a service like Instacart, Doordash, or Grubhub, you should take the same steps that you would take in a regular accident: ensure your safety, check for injuries, call the authorities, exchange information, and gather evidence.
If you call the police to the scene of the crash, you could file a police report right then and there.
After that, your next steps will depend on factors like:
When you’re just one driver among thousands who use a delivery service app, you might have a hard time getting answers from your company. The delivery service may try to put the responsibility on your insurance when they should really be covering the incident. Or they may give you a lowball settlement that doesn’t even begin to cover your losses in full.
You shouldn’t settle for less than you should deserve, especially when your health and livelihood are on the line. A personal injury lawyer who has experience handling delivery accidents can help you navigate your legal rights after you suffer injuries.
Every car accident has circumstances that make it unique, especially when you add deliveries into the equation. It’s always best to get the advice of an attorney for how to best move forward.
Food and grocery delivery services generally take 3 approaches to driver accidents:
With so many complications, you may feel stuck in the middle, especially if you keep getting passed back and forth between insurance companies. A good lawyer can help you cut through the stalling, minimizing, and avoiding techniques to get you the recovery you deserve.
You may feel the power imbalance when you’re just a single driver going up against a major corporation like Uber or Doordash. But an experienced personal injury attorney allows you to even the playing field. At Sepulveda Sanchez Law, our attorneys know what you’re going through, which is why we take cases on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to worry about paying legal fees upfront – instead, we invest in your case with you.
Click here now to get started with a free consultation with our knowledgeable legal team.