Over the last few years, food delivery services have grown in popularity. To earn extra income, more people are becoming delivery drivers for companies like Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash, and GrubHub.
People who deliver food for a living, like all other drivers, have a responsibility to keep others on the road safe from foreseeable auto accidents. Each food delivery company has different insurance coverage for their drivers. Additionally, the position of the at-fault driver as an employee or an independent contractor can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case, making it crucial to consult with a Cincinnati food delivery driver accident lawyer. O'Connor, Acciani & Levy car crash attorneys can help get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Common Causes of Food Delivery Collisions
While a variety of factors can contribute to crashes involving food delivery drivers, these individuals frequently use their own vehicles and may therefore be more likely to drive carelessly. In most cases, drivers are paid by the number of deliveries they make, rather than by the hour. As a result, drivers are incentivized to make as many deliveries as possible.
Common causes of food delivery crashes in Cincinnati include:
Distracted Driving
A food delivery driver is required by law to exercise reasonable caution. Even a brief lack of concentration can lead to an accident. While driving, a food delivery driver can become preoccupied by checking their phone to look up the address of the home or company where they are delivering food to or from, for example, or they might even have to take a call from the restaurant or customer.
Rushed Deliveries
Given the volume of business these companies handle, it comes as no surprise that their drivers often rush to complete as many deliveries as possible. To avoid client complaints, drivers are under a lot of pressure to fulfill their orders promptly. This pressure to perform can easily lead to speeding and dangerous driving, causing otherwise preventable collisions.
Lost Drivers
Food delivery companies are continually expanding their services, which can sometimes put a driver in new regions. A driver who is unfamiliar with a neighborhood may be more concerned with avoiding getting lost than with driving cautiously. When you're lost, it's easy to become disoriented and wind up on the incorrect road or driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
Who is Liable for Food Delivery Wrecks in Cincinnati?
Delivery drivers are required to carry their own car insurance. However, it may not be enough to cover damages in the event of a serious accident. Delivery food services such as DoorDash and Postmates offer their drivers a $1 million excess auto insurance policy, but only for third-party personal injury or property damage. This means that the company's insurance kicks in only when the driver's insurance has been exhausted, and only if the accident happened while the driver was on an “active delivery.”
Whether you were hurt by a food delivery driver or one of their drivers was injured by another motorist, the food delivery company will not be
liable for damages in most circumstances. However, every situation is different, and it's critical to contact a
seasoned attorney with experience in food delivery services who can investigate your accident and determine who is responsible for covering your losses.
An attorney from O'Connor, Acciani & Levy can assist you in pursuing your claim for proper compensation after a food delivery auto accident. This entails identifying all prospective defendants, obtaining proof of driver negligence, filing claims, and more. No one should suffer from the economic and non-economic damages of an automobile accident alone. If you are looking for a Cincinnati food delivery car accident lawyer,
contact us today.
