There was a time when you had to pick up your food from a restaurant yourself if you wanted to eat at home. Now, thanks to the use of smartphones, millions of Americans have dining delivery options at their fingertips and don’t have to leave their homes to get the food they want. Food delivery apps have become increasingly popular in recent years for both diners and drivers who are looking to make extra money. Unfortunately, this increase in popularity also means there’s been an increase in food delivery-related car accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in one of these crashes, don’t hesitate to reach out to Bostic Law Group, P.A. to learn more about what we can do for you. Our Charleston DoorDash and Grubhub food delivery accident attorneys have over two decades of experience helping clients recover from their injuries and can achieve your goals while you concentrate on healing.
Contact our team online or by phone at (843) 350-9646 for a free consultation regarding your injuries. Our team has handled car accidents and knows how to help our clients in their time of need.
WHAT ARE THE POPULAR FOOD DELIVERY APPS?
There is no limit to what restaurants you may be able to order from today – if one food delivery app doesn’t have what you’re looking for, another one may have it. DoorDash and Grubhub are some of the most popular apps – DoorDash services more than 310,000 restaurants alone in 4,000 cities around the world, while reports show that in 2019, almost 500,000 orders were made per day using Grubhub.
Other popular food delivery apps include:
- Caviar
- Postmates
- Uber Eats
- Instacart
Food delivery drivers can get into accidents just like any other driver on the road – through human error. Intoxicated driving, for instance, can impair a driver’s judgment and motor functions, both of which are required to operate a vehicle. However, there may be unique factors that contribute to food delivery accidents.
Drivers may strive to make as many deliveries as possible in order to make money. As a result, they may be more likely to speed between restaurants and homes, which can reduce their reaction time to hazards like stopped traffic significantly. Additionally, app-based drivers are often using their phones while driving to check their navigation or take on more customers. Distracted driving is considered negligent – just one moment away from the road is enough to cause a serious accident.
IS THE DRIVER OR FOOD DELIVERY COMPANY LIABLE?
After you’ve been injured, you may be wondering who can be held liable for damages: the driver or the food delivery company. The first thing you need to know about food delivery companies is that they are contributing to the rise of the Gig Economy, which is comprised of companies, customers, and independent workers.
Because food delivery drivers are classified as independent contractors and not employees, they lack certain protections from the companies they work for. This means that companies like DoorDash and Grubhub are generally shielded from liability when their drivers are involved in car accidents, including when they’re in the middle of making deliveries.
However, each company has its own policies that can potentially cover drivers under certain circumstances. Some examples of these policies include:
- Postmates, Caviar, and DoorDash: These companies have insurance that only covers accidents that happen while the drivers are completing deliveries and can include benefits such as $1 million for medical expenses, accidental death up to $100,000, and survivors benefits up to $100,000 or $150,000 for DoorDash drivers.
- Uber Eats: This is the only food delivery company that offers coverage for property damage done to the delivery driver’s car, which is capped at the cash value of the car after a $1,000 deductible is met.
- Grubhub: Unfortunately, Grubhub doesn’t offer any coverage for drivers.
Many food delivery drivers may be liable and have to access their personal insurance policies after an accident. However, it’s possible that some policies would exclude their coverage – some insurance policies deny coverage if making deliveries is considered a “business activity.”
CALL US FOR RESULTS
Overall, navigating a car accident claim involving a food delivery driver is extremely complicated, and determining liability depends on the food delivery company involved and other factors. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you need to hire an attorney who can help you sort through your options and help you take your next steps. Our team can help you ensure that your claim isn’t undermined and that you don’t accept a settlement offer that is lower than what you deserve.
Call (843) 350-9646after your accident to get the help you need. Our food delivery accident attorneys in Charleston are passionate about protecting our clients’ rights.
