Much has changed over the past few years, one of which is the food industry. When the pandemic hit, the demand for food delivery services hit an all-time high, putting more delivery cars on the streets. Now, that demand continues to grow as people become accustomed to the convenience and ease of getting ready-to-eat food delivered to their front doors.
But what happens when you get into an accident with a delivery driver who is rushing or driving recklessly to meet their order demands? Many food delivery drivers are operating under intense pressure to take orders, pick up the food, and drop it off, all within a short time frame.
If you sustained injuries in an accident with a food delivery driver, our Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorneys can help you hold the at-fault party accountable.
Delivery Driving Is Considered One of the Most Dangerous Occupations in the US
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reports over 1.5 million food delivery driver employees in the country. The job demand for truck drivers and sales delivery drivers is expected to grow much faster than other occupations from now until 2031, at an annual rate of 11%. That’s about 219,900 job openings a year.
While the demand for food delivery workers is growing at a rapid rate, so is the danger for food delivery car accidents. And, delivery sales jobs are considered the 8th most dangerous job in the country. Over a five year period, there were at least 334 delivery workers who died in car accident fatalities. That doesn’t include the figures for all other people who have been harmed in delivery accidents. While their services are essential to modern-day life, delivery drivers are often on the frontline without much support.
If you were injured in a Colorado Springs food delivery accident, contact our Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorneys for legal help. We will work hard to ensure we identify all responsible parties and get you the compensation you deserve.
Determining Liability in a Food Delivery Accident Can Be Challenging
With new employment structures in the delivery driver workforce, determining liability can become a complex process. While most pizza chains (Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Dominos, etc.) employ their delivery drivers, new-age food delivery services hire “independent contractors” and gig workers. This means the actual company may not always be liable for the accident their delivery driver caused. Coverage specifics will depend entirely on the individual company’s insurance policy. If you have any legal questions regarding your case, contact our Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorneys.
DoorDash & Postmates
Both Doordash and Postmates provide liability coverage for any accident damages that exceed their driver’s personal coverage limits. So if a Doordash or Postmates driver caused an accident that left you with injuries, their company insurance will cover up to $1million in coverage. The only requirement is that the delivery driver was on the clock with the job app open and providing a delivery service for the company at the time of the accident.
UberEats
UberEats provides liability insurance coverage for its drivers that covers bodily injury and property damage. The liability cap is up to $1 million in damages as long as the driver was enroute, picking up or delivering food. However, distinguishing the driver’s status for Uber’s liability coverage is critical.
For example, let’s say the driver had the app open and was waiting for a delivery order to accept, but wasn’t actually picking up or delivering the food yet. In that case, UberEats will only provide limited coverage.
Speak to a knowledgeable Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney to determine which insurance company is liable for your losses and how much damage compensation you may be eligible to seek.
How Much Is My Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accident Case Worth?
There is no set value for delivery accident claims; the amount of compensation you are entitled to is entirely circumstantial. However, working with an experienced Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney will help you determine a fair claim value and seek financial recovery accordingly.
As every case is unique and occurs in a different way, you will need to work closely with a Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney to launch a thorough investigation into your case. Your Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney will also help you identify all damages you qualify for and ensure you get maximum compensation for them.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accident Case?
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Compromised earning potential
- Disability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Working with a Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney can be a game changer since they know how to assess the value of accident damages and get you the best possible outcome.
Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accident FAQs
People who get injured in a food delivery accident often have a lot of questions. Since these accidents differ from normal car accidents, the only way to be sure you are implementing the most efficient legal strategy is to hire a skilled Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney. Here are some frequently asked questions you may have after a Colorado Springs or El Paso County Food Delivery Accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Food Delivery Accident in Colorado Springs?
Colorado enforces a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Basically, that means you have a limited amount of time to file a claim for damages after getting injured in an accident. The legal time frame wherein you can make a valid claim is called the “statute of limitations”. If you fail to take action within the given timeframe, you will no longer have the right to pursue damages you suffered in that particular accident. Personal injury claims involving auto accidents usually warrant three years to file a claim.
What if the Food Delivery Driver Was Using Someone Else’s Car?
Let’s say the delivery driver was using a family member or friend’s car to perform their delivery job duties. This is often the case for many young drivers or who don’t yet have a vehicle and are new in the workforce. If the vehicle does not belong to the driver or the company, you may have to file a claim with the car owner’s insurance company.
The driver might be covered even if they are not included in the policy. Or, if their policy provides insufficient coverage, you may have to resort to the company’s liability coverage. Figuring all this out requires a legal professional who can provide an accurate assessment of the facts and trustworthy legal counsel.
Do I Need to Contact the Insurance Company Directly?
You may be wondering if you are obligated to contact the insurance company to file a claim. Depending on the extent of your injuries, we don’t recommend doing so without consulting a knowledgeable Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney first. Contacting them without any idea of what to say or having a legal strategy may jeopardize your chance of obtaining fair compensation.
The insurance company will ask you questions to get the answers they want and may take your answers out of context. Insurance company claims adjusters often use shoddy tactics to get injury victims to insinuate they contributed to the accident. Thus, be careful not to admit fault, apologize or say anything that could compromise the merits of your claim.
They usually also record calls, so it’s best to err on the side of caution when communicating with them. The best way to do this is letting your Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accidents Attorney handle communications with the insurance companies on your behalf. That way, you can focus on recovering from your injuries and the trauma of the accident.
Contact Skilled Colorado Springs Food Delivery Accident Lawyers Near You Today
Car accidents are a serious concern and can have dire consequences. If you are now stuck with serious injuries, medical bills, missed work, emotional suffering, and post-accident trauma, you can seek financial compensation for all of these damages.
Our Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers want to help you, so call us today to see what we can do for you.
We offer a free initial consultation by phone call or online.
