Food delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub have become a regular part of life in Washington, DC, with hundreds of drivers on the road at all hours.
While this is incredibly convenient for customers, accidents can happen, causing serious injuries to people on the road. Collisions involving delivery drivers can lead to serious injuries and complicated liability questions, especially with multiple insurance companies potentially involved.
A Washington, DC food delivery accident attorney can help identify who is responsible and help you build a strong case. Lightfoot Law is here for you. Contact our experienced Washington DC car accident lawyer today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Washington, DC food delivery accident attorney.
Why Lightfoot Law PLLC Personal Injury Attorneys Is The RIght Choice For a Food Delivery Accident
Food delivery accident cases often involve multiple layers of insurance, making them more complicated than some other types of accidents. Having a law firm with the skill, resources, and focus to handle those challenges can change the outcome of your case for the better. Our firm is the right choice because:
- We were included in the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 for excellence in advocacy and results.
- Named among the Best Law Firms in 2024, showing how much we care about providing quality representation.
- You won’t pay unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
When you choose to work with us, you give yourself a real chance at recovering compensation from the responsible party.
How a Lawyer Can Assist With a Food Delivery Accident Case
Collisions involving food delivery drivers can quickly become complicated due to overlapping insurance policies and disputes over liability. An experienced lawyer can take on these complexities so you can focus on healing. Here’s what they can do for you:
- Determining Employment Status: Investigate whether the driver was an independent contractor or an employee, which can affect which party’s insurance applies.
- Uncovering All Available Coverage: Review insurance from the driver, the delivery company, and any supplemental or commercial policies.
- Collecting and Preserving Evidence: Secure delivery app data, phone records, traffic camera footage, and witness accounts to build a strong case.
By letting a skilled Washington D.C. personal injury lawyer handle the legal process, you can reduce the stress you’re facing, which allows you to put more energy into recovering.
Common Causes of Food Delivery Accidents
Food delivery drivers often face tight schedules and constant navigation through busy city streets. These and other factors can lead to dangerous behaviors and increase the risk of accidents. Some common causes of these incidents include the following:
Distracted Driving
Constant GPS use, responding to app notifications, or searching for addresses can take a driver’s eyes and attention off the road, leading to serious collisions.
Speeding or Reckless Driving
In an effort to deliver orders quickly, some drivers ignore speed limits or make unsafe maneuvers, putting themselves and others in harm’s way.
Illegal Parking or Sudden Stops
Pulling over in bike lanes, double-parking, or making abrupt stops to drop off food can cause unexpected hazards for nearby vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Fatigue From Long Shifts
Extended hours on the road, sometimes with few breaks, can cause drowsiness and delayed reaction times.
Understanding what often causes these crashes is an important step in proving fault and holding delivery drivers or others accountable for the harm they cause.
Understanding Food Delivery Accident Insurance Coverage
When an accident involves a food delivery driver, determining which insurance applies can be more complicated than in a typical crash. The driver’s status at the time of the collision, the delivery company’s policies, and the type of coverage involved all play a role.
Personal Auto Insurance
Most personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage for commercial driving. This means that if a driver is using their personal vehicle for paid food deliveries, their own insurance company may refuse to cover the claim unless they carry special endorsements for business use.
Delivery Company Insurance
Major delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub provide liability coverage for drivers, but only under certain circumstances. Generally, coverage applies when a driver is logged into the app and actively engaged in work for the company.
“App On but No Order” vs. “Active Delivery”
Coverage is typically minimal when the driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted an order. Once the driver is on the way to pick up or deliver food, much higher liability limits usually take effect. These differences can dramatically change how much is available for medical expenses or property damage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your losses or has no insurance at all, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply.
Having a lawyer sort through possible insurance policies that can provide compensation for you is essential.
Steps to Take After a Food Delivery Accident in Washington, DC
Collisions involving food delivery drivers can be stressful and confusing. Taking the right steps immediately after the crash can help protect your health and your claim for compensation.
- Call 911 and Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Report the accident to law enforcement and request medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor.
- Document the Accident Scene: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions, and anything else that may have contributed to the crash.
- Get Driver, Vehicle, and Delivery Company Details: Record the driver’s contact and insurance information, vehicle plate number, and the name of the delivery service they were working for.
- Obtain Witness Statements: Ask for names and contact information from anyone who saw the accident. Their accounts can help verify fault.
- Request a Copy of the Police Report: This official record can be essential when proving liability and negotiating with insurers.
- Contact a DC Personal Injury Attorney Before Speaking With Insurers: A lawyer can deal with the delivery company and insurance providers to protect your claim and prevent you from making damaging statements.
Acting quickly after an accident can strengthen your case and improve your chances of securing fair compensation. If you tragically lost a loved on in a food delivery accident, contact our Washington DC wrongful death attorney.
Reach Out To Lightfoot Law To Set Up a Consultation With a Washington DC Food Delivery Accident Attorney
Accidents involving food delivery drivers can be somewhat complicated, but you can always get help from an experienced personal injury lawyer.
With the right representation, you can focus on recovery while your lawyer works to hold the parties at fault accountable and fight for the full financial recovery you’re entitled to after the crash. Contact Lightfoot Law to get your free and confidential case evaluation started.