Food delivery services have shown their value amidst recent changes in consumer patterns, and those who deliver food provide a necessary service. However, those drivers must be responsible at all times and remain aware of the dangers that careless or reckless driving poses.
If you were injured (or your loved one passed away) because of a collision involving a food delivery driver, then a Dumfries food order delivery car accident lawyer may handle your case for compensation.
Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for a free consultation.
The Rise in Deliveries Spells Danger
Forbes notes how delivery drivers are more likely to be in motor vehicle accidents, and to file insurance claims as a result. It also notes how the insurance claims process could be complicated if delivery drivers do not inform their insurance company that they are using a personal vehicle to deliver food.
These factors have spelled danger amidst a recent increase in demand for food delivery services caused by COVID-19. CNBC notes how online grocery delivery has increased in popularity in 2020. Fortune explains that non-grocery delivery services have seen increased demand as well, with services cited including:
- Grubhub
- Uber Eats
- DoorDash
The increased popularity of food delivery services may present several unique dangers. Some problems that may arise from heightened demand for food delivery include:
- A greater number of vehicles on the road as the number of delivery drivers increases to match demand
- Delivery drivers who make more for delivering a greater number of orders engaging in dangerous driving behaviors for the sake of speedy deliveries
- Delivery drivers being distracted by their respective app, becoming distracted, and causing accidents as a result
Those who deliver food may be vulnerable to engaging in the same dangerous driving behaviors as any motorist. The potential for delivery drivers to be on the road for long periods in hectic, sometimes confusing situations could increase the risk that they are involved in an accident.
If you or a loved one was involved in a collision with a food delivery driver in Dumfries, then there may be unique considerations in terms of seeking compensation.
Insurance Coverage Varies for Delivery Drivers
Insurance coverage for food delivery drivers may vary from one service to another. Services such as DoorDash and Postmates provide “excess coverage” for drivers who injure third parties such as yourself (or your loved one) while serving as a food courier.
DoorDash offers up to $1 million in coverage for bodily injuries and property damage to you or a loved one injured by a DoorDash driver. Other food delivery services may offer similar coverage, but there may be limits to this coverage. In fact, DoorDash’s policy states that it only applies to drivers who are “on an active delivery.”
This wording means that a food delivery service’s policy may not pay for your losses if:
- The driver that struck you was on their way to pick up the food
- The app that the driver was using was not active or was not functioning properly at the time of your accident
- The delivery driver had already delivered their food and was departing a dropoff location at the time of your collision
A driver may generally need to have an order in their possession in order for their delivery service’s policy to be effective. This could complicate your ability to secure compensation through insurance. Other services may provide little to no coverage for their contracted drivers.
A Dumfries food order delivery car accident lawyer may be able to help you with your pursuit of compensation, however. Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for more details about how we may assist you.
A Lawyer Will Help After a Delivery Driver Accident
Your ability to obtain compensation for your losses through insurance may depend on the service that the driver who caused your accident contracts for, as well as their status with respect to insurance coverage. In some cases, a driver may have nothing beyond their personal insurance policy to cover your losses.
Having a lawyer on your side after a collision with a food delivery driver could be beneficial. Your lawyer may:
- Familiarize themselves with the specific insurance coverage of the service that the at-fault driver contracts for
- Gather all available facts and evidence related to your accident
- Determine if you should be covered by a driver’s personal insurance, their contracting company’s insurance, or neither
- Calculate your losses
- Seek fair compensation through insurance
There could be numerous reasons why insurance may not provide the coverage that you deserve. If this is the case, then your lawyer will help you bring a lawsuit in pursuit of fair compensation from liable parties.
A Lawsuit May Be an Option
Your lawyer can complete any lawsuit that you elect to bring. There could be multiple defendants named in your lawsuit, possibly including the at-fault driver and the company that contracted the at-fault driver at the time of your collision.
Your lawyer may seek compensation for the losses that have come from your accident. These losses may include:
- The cost of medical care for accident-related injuries
- Lost income stemming from your injuries
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience caused by your injuries
- The cost of rehabilitation for your injuries
- Damage to your vehicle
A lawyer may handle as much of your legal needs as they possibly can. Their goal will be to obtain fair compensation for you or a loved one through a settlement or judgment.
Dumfries Food Order Delivery Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Today
The continued popularity of food delivery services calls for consistent caution by delivery drivers, as inattention and carelessness could result in injury or death. If you or a loved one are the victim of a collision involving a delivery driver, then a Dumfries food order delivery car accident lawyer will assist you.
Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for additional information about how we may help after an accident.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form