Food delivery drivers have a very difficult job to do. They have to pick up food deliveries on demand and fight Burbank-traffic on tight deadlines, risking their safety on every delivery. The last thing they need when they're driving is to get into a car accident, but sometimes bad things happen--and it's not always all their fault.
If you were injured in a car accident involving a food delivery driver, you are probably feeling scared and overwhelmed. You're injured, your car is damaged, the medical bills are piling up, and you are getting calls from insurance adjusters every day. You don't understand the law and you're not sure where to turn for help. That's where we come in:
A car accident lawyer in Burbank can help get you results. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti has an incredible track record. We can get you fair compensation for your losses.
Food Delivery Drivers Face Unique Challenges that Other Drivers Don't
You may think that food delivery drivers have it easy: They can work whenever they want, however they want, with no boss looking over their shoulder. But they pay a big price for this flexibility.
Food delivery drivers work under intense pressure, often needing to make fast deliveries. This urgency, imposed by delivery companies, can lead to reckless driving and increase the risk of accidents dramatically.
There are several factors that make their jobs really hard to do:
- Lack of Training: Many drivers don’t get enough training from the app companies, which can leave them confused about traffic laws.
- Bad Hiring Practices: Some companies hire drivers without even checking their backgrounds, putting unqualified people on the roads.
- Lack of Supervision: Without enough oversight, drivers might engage in unsafe driving habits.
- Aggressive Schedules: To meet tight deadlines, drivers may rush and prioritize speed over safety.
Most Food Delivery Drivers Are Independent Contractors and Why You Should Care
Food delivery accidents often are complex because it's unclear who is on the hook for the accident. Most delivery drivers work as independent contractors. This status often leaves them without adequate insurance coverage from their employers. But if a driver was acting as an employee of the delivery company at the time of the accident, the company might also be responsible. This is incredibly important because it may determine how much insurance coverage there is, and that directly impacts how much money you can get for your claim.
An experienced car accident lawyer from our law office can investigate whether the delivery driver was acting as employee or not at the time of the crash.
Proving Liability With a Burbank Food Delivery Car Accident Lawyer
Proving fault is much harder in food delivery accidents than the average auto accident. Multiple different people may be at fault. It might just be the driver, or it might be the insurance company, too, depending on whether the driver was an independent contractor or not.
A good lawyer will investigate whether:
- The driver's actions were negligent or reckless
- The food delivery company provided adequate training or not
- The company properly vetted the driver before hiring them
- The food delivery company's auto insurance has multiple layers of insurance
If you were injured, understanding how this all works is important. Speaking with experienced legal counsel can help you uncover ways to get fair compensation, looking at things like personal injury claims, medical expenses, and potentially punitive damages in a case where a driver was acting recklessly.
Get Medical Attention Right After a Food Delivery Accident
You might think you're okay after an accident and don't need to see a doctor. Or maybe you don't want to go in the ambulance because you're worried about the cost.
But let me tell you that getting medical attention is crucial right after a car accident in order to protect your health and your rights.
Being seen by a medical professional ensures that a seemingly minor injury doesn't turn into some much worse later, or that you don't have internal injuries, which can be life threatening if not treated. Get checked out. Don't gamble with your health.
Official medical records serve as important proof for your case, as well, showing that your injuries were directly caused by the at-fault party.
Bottom line: Make sure to get medical attention after an accident.
Preserving Evidence After the Accident is Important
Preserving the evidence after an accident is extremely important for your personal injury case. Here's what you need to keep track of:
- Start by taking photos and videos of the accident scene, the cars involved, and any injuries. This visual evidence can be very important for your case.
- Write down all the details about the accident, like the time, location, and conditions, as this can help support your claims.
- Keep records of the vehicles' conditions and gather important documents, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements. These documents will back up your injuries and the situation of the accident.
Common Injuries In Food Delivery Accidents
Food delivery drivers face many dangers on the road that can lead to serious injuries, much like regular drivers. Here are some common injuries they might suffer:
- Whiplash: Sudden stops can hurt the neck.
- Fractures: Collisions often cause broken bones.
- Head Injuries: Even with helmets, strong impacts can lead to concussions.
- Spinal Injuries: Big crashes can damage the spine.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and strains are common.
These injuries show the risks of being a food delivery driver. If a driver gets hurt in an accident, they might have to deal with difficult insurance claims because of different insurance layers.
To protect themselves, drivers should check if their personal insurance covers food delivery. They could also get help with medical bills or disability payments through their delivery service's insurance.
Knowing these risks and how to get help is very important for food delivery drivers. Seeking a lawyer’s advice can make it easier to understand compensation options and deal with insurance issues.
What Kinds of Damages Can You Get Paid For?
There are various types of damages you can get compensated for. An accident attorney can get you:
- Medical expenses, which includes hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy. This also includes long-term expenses
- Loss of wages and other financial losses
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional harm
- Physical pain and suffering
What a Burbank Food Delivery Accident Lawyer Can Do For You
A good personal injury lawyer in Burbank can help you with the complicated legal process that follows these types of accidents. We understand California’s laws and can help you make sense of insurance coverage and personal liability.
- A lawyer can hep you understand your legal rights. For example, they can explain the comparative fault rule, which means that you might still get compensation even if you're partly at fault. Our lawyers look into every detail of an accident, like vehicle problems and the stressful situations drivers face.
- A lawyer will notify the insurer right away and start the claims process. If an accident leads to wrongful death, families can also claim damages. California's fault system can affect what you receive, so it’s essential to identify the responsible driver and potentially the rideshare company
- A personal injury lawyer can skillfully negotiate with insurance companies to make sure you get fair compensation.
- An attorney will notify your insurer right away to start the claims process. Gather important evidence, like photos, witness statements, and police reports, lost wages, and emotional distress
- A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you figure out these costs and seek a fair settlement. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, so having a lawyer can improve your chances of getting a better settlement. And if the insurance company doesn't treat you fairly, an accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit.
Legal Help for Delivery Drivers: Having legal representation is crucial for drivers. An experienced attorney can help you get more compensation than you might receive on your own. Many delivery drivers work as independent contractors, which can complicate insurance coverage. If you’re in a rideshare accident, understanding how to claim against companies like Uber or Lyft is important, especially if personal insurance isn’t enough. Getting this kind of legal guidance is invaluable.
By getting the right legal advice, food delivery drivers and accident victims in Burbank can better figure out their recovery and get the compensation they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should Delivery Drivers Get Their Own Personal Insurance?
Most delivery drivers believe that the delivery company's insurance will cover them in an accident. But that's not always the case, depending on which service the driver is using. This is a major problem because most personal auto insurance policies specifically exclude accidents that are caused during food delivery situations. Because of this, delivery drivers should strongly consider updating their auto insurance policies to cover food delivery-related accidents.
Does Grubhub Cover Accident Claims?
Unlike Uber Eats, Postmates, or DoorDash, Grubhub does NOT provide commercial liability insurance for its drivers. Unfortunately, if you driver for Grubhub and you cause a major accident, you are on the hook for all harms and losses. Even worse, your personal auto insurance company will not cover the claim, either. They will argue that this is a commercial activity so they don't have to pay.
Our Burbank Food Delivery Accident Lawyers Take Care of Our Clients
We offer a free initial consultation that is 100% confidential. Plus, our personal injury law firms works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay us anything upfront. We only get paid when you get paid, so there's no risk to you.
It's important to consult a lawyer quickly since California law only allows two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations.
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti is eager to hear from you. Call 626-793-8607 today.
