DoorDash, Uber Eats, & Amazon Flex Accidents in Huntsville: Is the Driver or Company Liable?

In the U.S., food delivery apps are expected to grow to $563+ billion by 2029. When you consider the size of the market and the expected growth, it equals a lot of drivers on roadways. An influx of drivers may lead to more accidents.

Many people wonder what happens when there is a wreck with a delivery driver. Who is the liable party? Is it the driver or the company? Or is it both of them?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. These accidents are nuanced. Several factors are weighed when determining liability, including negligent hiring and driver status during the incident. If you were in this type of accident and want to understand the legal options available, please reach out to Martin & Helms, P.C. for a free consultation.

Do you want to learn more before calling an attorney? We’ve outlined more about delivery driver accidents in Alabama below:

What type of insurance coverage is available for delivery drivers?

Most delivery drivers are considered independent contractors. This typically means that employer liability is limited because they are not employees. However, many delivery companies provide liability coverage for drivers using the app. The coverage is dependent on the activities the driver is completing at the time of an accident.

Uber Eats, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, and other delivery companies may provide different levels of coverage depending on whether the driver was offline, waiting for an order, or actively completing a delivery. Sometimes the company coverage may be secondary to the driver’s coverage, depending on the policy. Each case is unique and handled differently. The basic coverage details include:

Not logged in to the app

If a driver is not logged in to the app to deliver for the company, they are not covered under the company’s policy. In these cases, any claims would be issued under the driver’s personal insurance coverage.

Logged in and waiting for an order

If a driver is logged in and waiting for a delivery order, coverage depends on the company. For some platforms, typical coverage may be $50,000 for bodily injuries to one person and $100,000 per accident. However, other companies may state that if the driver is online but has not accepted a delivery request, their own policy is primary. It’s important to note that coverage may vary across drivers and companies.

Logged in and delivering an order

The coverage changes again once a driver has an order and is en route to deliver. For these types of accidents, the insurance coverage increases to $1 million per accident. Again, coverage may change depending on the company and the driver.

What should I do if I’m in an accident with a rideshare or gig driver?

It’s critical to remain calm if involved in an accident with a delivery driver. There are several steps we encourage victims to take after an accident:

Photograph the scene

If possible, photograph the scene, injuries, and damages. Photographs of the scene of the accident may help to support insurance and legal claims.

Seek medical care

It’s essential to seek medical care after an accident if you believe that you might have been injured. This is encouraged even if there aren’t visible injuries. Sometimes, injuries take a bit to show up or may be internal. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Bone fractures
• Burns
• Internal organ damage
• Nerve issues
• Back or neck injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Amputations

Some accidents are much more severe than others. Everyone heals differently, and some people may face long-term or permanent injuries from a car accident. Seeking medical care immediately after an accident can help them obtain proper treatment and support future claims.

Document all interactions

It’s recommended to document all interactions with insurance companies or anyone related to the accident. Keeping a folder of medical appointments, interactions, and other activities related to the delivery driver accident in Alabama may strengthen a case.

Speak to an attorney

Anyone who has been in an accident with a delivery driver in Alabama is encouraged to speak to an attorney to understand their legal options. Someone experienced in delivery driver accidents in Alabama can help clients understand their legal options and navigate the entire claim process.

Delivery driver accident FAQs:

Curious about delivery driver accidents? A lot of people are. We’ve answered the most common questions we get below:

What if a driver works for two companies?

This is a common occurrence in the gig economy. Drivers will be logged in multiple apps and doing several deliveries. In these cases, it may be a bit more challenging to determine liability. Determining liability may be more difficult as app analysis and investigations would need to be completed.

In these situations, speaking to an attorney is recommended. They have the knowledge needed to research the case and review evidence to understand who is liable.

How much is my accident claim worth?

Without knowing the details of an accident, valuing a claim wouldn’t be possible and also unethical. However, we can outline the types of compensation similar cases have won:

• Property damage
• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

If you were in an accident with a delivery driver, we strongly advise you to reach out to a personal injury attorney to understand your legal options.

What causes these types of accidents?

Vehicle accidents may be caused by a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes with delivery drivers include:

• Distracted driving
• Driver errors
• Drowsy driving
• Drug oraAlcohol impairment
• Ignoring traffic lights or signs
• Speeding

Many of these reasons may fall under negligence or worse. For anyone facing this type of claim, we recommend you speak to a knowledgeable attorney to understand your options for your specific case.

How can a DoorDash injury lawyer help?

Gig economy injury lawyers help clients to strengthen claims while offering peace of mind. They provide compassionate legal support and guidance through the following:

• Investigate accidents to obtain surveillance footage, witness statements, and other forms of proof.
• Compile and file legal claims within the required deadlines.
• Advocate for their clients while negotiating with insurance companies or representing them in court.

An experienced personal injury attorney has the knowledge needed to gather information for strong claims. If you are curious about your accident and want to know more about your legal options, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney today.

Contact Martin & Helms, P.C. for a free case evaluation

Accidents involving delivery drivers may be nuanced or complex. Liability is sometimes challenged, leaving the injured party wondering who is responsible for the claim. At Martin & Helms, P.C., we understand how difficult these cases may be for victims. Our team offers free case evaluations to help injured parties understand their legal options. Contact our office to request a free case evaluation today.