Brooklyn DoorDash Accident Lawyers
Companies like DoorDash experienced exponential growth during the pandemic. Even after things gradually returned to normal, people continued to pay for the convenience that DoorDash offers. As a result, the company earned nearly $9 billion dollars in revenue in 2023. Unfortunately, you may end up paying the price, even if you have never ordered from DoorDash. The proliferation of inexperienced and dangerous drivers on the road could lead to serious accidents that cause severe injuries. If you have been injured in a DoorDash accident, you should contact an experienced attorney today to explore the possibility of seeking financial compensation.
Why Are DoorDash Drivers Potentially Dangerous?
Some DoorDash drivers are part-time workers who make some deliveries to earn extra money to supplement their income. Others may work full-time because that is what they can do to earn a living. There are many reasons why DoorDash drivers can potentially be a danger to others on the road, including:
- DoorDash drivers are often in unfamiliar areas, and they are unsure of where they are going.
- Delivery drivers may speed up so they can make more deliveries and earn more money.
- DoorDash may hire practically anyone to serve as a driver, meaning delivery drivers may have poor safety records.
- DoorDash drivers may use unregistered vehicles to make deliveries.
DoorDash drivers have a special propensity for distracted driving. When they are making deliveries, their lifeblood is the app. They would have their eyes on the app to let them know where they are going and to line up further deliveries. However, they may not have their focus on the road when they are driving.
While DoorDash has pledged to remove dangerous drivers from its platform, it does not always follow through on its promises. The company simply makes too much money to leave itself short-staffed because customers expect prompt deliveries.
Can I Sue DoorDash for My Accident Injuries?
DoorDash Is like any other company with people working in the gig environment. DoorDash does not necessarily hire its drivers. Instead, drivers are independent contractors who are not employees of the company. They accept the job on a gig basis and do not have a legal relationship with DoorDash beyond their independent contractor agreement. For purposes of liability, this means that DoorDash generally cannot be held responsible for your accident injuries except under very limited circumstances. In nearly all cases, you must proceed against the individual DoorDash driver to obtain compensation for their negligence. Perhaps the only way you can proceed directly against DoorDash is if they were negligent in hiring or retaining the driver in the face of a questionable safety record.
How Much Insurance Coverage Is Available for DoorDash Accidents?
Because you cannot sue DoorDash for your injuries does not mean that you are without legal options if you have been hurt by one of their drivers. As a condition for operating, DoorDash must provide a corporate insurance policy that covers its drivers. DoorDash provides up to $1 million in insurance coverage on a per-accident basis. This is one pot of money available to pay everyone injured in an accident. If DoorDash’s insurance is insufficient, you may supplement your underinsured motorist coverage.
In addition, some prudent DoorDash drivers may purchase additional insurance coverage because they can be personally liable. Because they are making commercial deliveries, DoorDash drivers cannot use their own personal car insurance policies.
DoorDash Works with many of the major insurance carriers, including:
- Progressive
- Geico
- State Farm
- Liberty Mutual
These insurance companies make a large amount of money by providing coverage to both rideshare companies and delivery services. They want to retain as much of the premiums as they are paid, which could be very difficult when you file a claim.
How Can I Win a Case Involving a DoorDash Driver?
Legal claims involving DoorDash drivers are the same as any other type of personal injury case. The insurance carrier will not automatically pay your claim just because you were involved in an accident with a DoorDash driver. Instead, you would need evidence that shows that they were negligent and caused your accident. Common ways that DoorDash drivers could be negligent include:
- Illegal turns
- Running stop signs and red lights
- Failure to check traffic before they pull out onto the road
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Speeding
You would follow the same claims process that you would with any other car accident or insurance company. You would likely present a claim to the insurance company that includes evidence of both negligence and your damages. The insurance company would decide whether to accept liability. If they do, they may make you an initial settlement offer. You would need to continue negotiating with the insurance company to get every dollar you deserve because they will not make you their best settlement offer at first.
How Much Is My DoorDash Claim Worth?
The exact value of your DoorDash claim depends on the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Each personal injury has its unique value because your compensation depends on the impact of your accident on you. DoorDash accident compensation can include the following:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
In the end, your DoorDash compensation would be what your attorney can negotiate on your behalf in a settlement agreement. If you are unable to reach an agreement with the insurance company, you may file a lawsuit against the driver in court, which the insurance company would need to defend.
Can a DoorDash Driver Be Compensated for Their Own Injuries?
DoorDash drivers may have a potential claim of action against another driver after an accident. Just because the DoorDash driver is on the road for their business purposes does not mean they lack legal rights when someone else has injured them. A DoorDash driver can file a lawsuit against another motorist who was to blame for the accident. If the driver is deemed negligent, they would owe the DoorDash driver compensation. However, like other motorists, the DoorDash driver cannot file a lawsuit against the company since they are not employees. Further, they could not qualify for Workers’ Compensation benefits if they were injured because they are independent contractors.
Contact the Brooklyn DoorDash Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Today
If you have been injured in a crash with a food delivery vehicle, the Brooklyn DoorDash accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki can help. Call us today at 718-522-1020 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys. Located in Brooklyn, we serve injured clients throughout New York City, including The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
