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These days, food delivery apps are prevalent across the United States. Convenient and cheap, these apps attract thousands of users. One of the most popular apps currently available is DoorDash. DoorDash allows consumers to request drivers to deliver food to them from restaurants that normally do not have their own food delivery service. However, what happens when you get into an accident with a driver employed by DoorDash?
If you or your loved one has been injured by a DoorDash driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDo I Need a Lawyer?
An experienced lawyer can help you in the aftermath of a DoorDash accident in several ways. First, the lawyer may help you find all the parties that are liable for the accident. A DoorDash driver may not be the only person at fault for the accident. Other motorists nearby could have contributed to the accident. An experienced lawyer may discover these other parties. Also, a lawyer may also be able to find that DoorDash itself could have some liability if it may be found that DoorDash knew that its driver was an unsafe driver or did not carry a driver’s license.
Furthermore, an experienced lawyer may help you deal with the insurance companies, which are often very reluctant to provide full coverage for victims. An experienced lawyer may know the tactics of insurance companies that try to give less than what may be owed and may counter these tactics so that clients may seek maximum compensation. Additionally, if a client is unsatisfied with an insurance company’s offer, a lawyer may represent him or her at trial.
Learn More: Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat is DoorDash?
Founded in 2013, DoorDash is an app-based food delivery service company that allows users to have food delivered to them from restaurants that may not offer food delivery services. Once a user downloads the app, he or she can use the app to order food from a restaurant that does not employ delivery drivers. The restaurant may then prepare the food. Once the food is ready, DoorDash’s drivers or “Dashers” will pick up the food from the restaurant and deliver it to the customer. DoorDash service is not just available in the heartland of Silicon Valley, but also in many cities across the United States.
Like many other app-based food delivery companies and rideshare companies, DoorDash does not actually employ official drivers who work fulltime. Rather, drivers for DoorDash may choose when to work and when to stop working. When a DoorDash driver chooses to work, he or she turns on the DoorDash app and accepts delivery requests. While a DoorDash driver is fulfilling a delivery request, he or she is under DoorDash’s employment and DoorDash may be liable for injuries that arise because of the driver.
DoorDash requires that its drivers carry personal automobile insurance. In general, DoorDash drivers may fulfill this requirement as long as their automobile insurance complies with their state-set minimums. Furthermore, DoorDash itself carries insurance to cover for any injuries that arise because of their drivers.
However, there are some caveats. For instance, DoorDash may not cover claims that arise from a DoorDash accident if the DoorDash driver did not carry personal automobile insurance. Additionally, DoorDash may cover insurance claims only after the DoorDash driver has exhausted his or her personal coverage. In such cases, DoorDash provides up to $1,000,000 in coverage for bodily injury and property damage.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCommon DoorDash Accidents
Every automobile accident has its own particular characteristics, and the severity of each depends on a number of factors. For instance, the types of vehicles that the victim and the defendant were driving are crucial. If the defendant was driving a Hummer while the victim was driving a regular passenger vehicle, the resulting accident would likely have been worse than if both the victim and driver are driving smaller vehicles.
However, in order to give some general idea of the kinds of injuries that may arise in DoorDash accidents, below are some of the injuries that are common in DoorDash accidents and car accidents in general:
- Concussion
- Back and neck
- Fractures
- Broken Bones
- Amputation
- Spinal Injury
- Whiplash
- Head Injury
- Death
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationSteps to Take After an Accident with a DoorDash Driver
1. Report the Accident
In any case where you are involved in a car accident, you should report the accident to the police. In a car accident, the police will generally write a report of the accident. This report often determines who was at fault. This report may be essential if you decide to file a claim.
2. Collect Evidence
Be sure to always document and retrieve evidence from the scene of the accident. Get the name, address, license number, plate number, and insurance information from all the drivers involved in the accident. Also, if the driver involved in an accident was working for an employer, you should obtain the name and contact information of the driver’s employer.
Witness testimony is often key in car accident cases. If there were witnesses to the accident, you should also get the names and contact information of the witnesses. If any of the witnesses took photographs or video recordings of the accident, ask them for copies. If you yourself have a camera at the scene of the accident, take some photographs of the scene.
3. Get Medical Attention
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your health is your number one priority. However, by getting medical attention, you also get the benefit of having doctors to record your injuries. Do not refuse to go to the hospital just because you think you are fine after the accident. After an accident, you often have adrenaline that may mask some of your injuries’ effects. You want to make sure that you have all your potential injuries recorded in order to seek maximum compensation.
4. Notify Insurance Company
Regardless of whose fault the accident is, you should always contact your insurance company as your insurance company may be able to give you some relief. However, do not make the mistake of talking about who was at fault for the accident. If your insurance company asks for a recorded statement, politely refuse.
5. Get a Lawyer
If you decide to file a claim and you believe that you may be able to file a claim on your own without hiring a lawyer, it may be still useful to at least consult with a lawyer in order to find out if there are any pitfalls in your case.
Learn More: Why Hiring a Lawyer Will Help Your Case
Filing a Claim Against DoorDash
1. Call an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Deciding to file a claim against a company like DoorDash is a daunting task. DoorDash is worth billions of dollars, and likely has a large budget to spend on legal issues. However, having an experienced lawyer on your side may make matters simpler for you.
2. Investigation
In the investigative stage, your lawyer may collect all of the relevant documents and evidence necessary to file a claim. These include medical bills, witness statements, official reports, employment reports, etc.
However, to make your lawyer’s job a bit easier, make sure to always document and retrieve evidence from the scene of the accident. Get the name, address, license number, plate number, and insurance information from all the drivers involved in the accident. Though DoorDash carries insurance coverage, recall that DoorDash driver works are required to carry personal automobile insurance. Therefore, even if you find out that the driver works for DoorDash, you should also ask for his or her personal insurance information.
Witness testimony is often key in automobile accident cases. If there were witnesses to the accident, you should also get the names and contact information of the witnesses. If any of the witnesses took photographs or video recordings of the accident, ask them for copies. If you yourself have a camera at the scene of the accident, take some photographs of the scene.
3. Case Settlement
There may be a discussion for settlement before any lawsuit is actually filed. Once the insurance company sends you an offer, be sure to discuss the offer with your lawyer. Do not simply accept the offer as your lawyer may able to negotiate with the insurance company to get a better offer.
Compensation
Compensation is provided for economic losses and non-economic losses.
Economic losses include the following:
– past and future medical bills
– past and future lost wages
– damaged property
– past and future loss of earning capacity
Non-economic losses include the following:
– past and future emotional anguish
– pain
– loss of enjoyment of activities
Legal Time Limits
Each state has what is called a statute of limitations or time limit to file a lawsuit. In most states, you must file within two years from the date of the accident to have a valid claim. However, there are some states that only give you one year and some that may give you three years to file a claim. Speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn more about the statute of limitations in your case.
OUR EXPERIENCED ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS MAY HELP!
While many people seek the convenience of quick food delivery, this should not excuse DoorDash delivery drivers from driving safely and cautiously.
Therefore, if you have been injured by a delivery driver, you may be entitled to seek compensation. Zinda Law Group may help advise you of your rights and may fight to seek your maximum compensation.
Call Zinda Law Group today for a free consultation with an experienced accident attorney. at (888)-281-6991.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
Learn More: Are Employers Responsible For Car Wrecks Caused By Employees?
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
