DoorDash and Uber Eats Delivery Driver Accidents in Alabama

Delivery vehicle accident cases in Alabama, such as those involving DoorDash and Uber Eats drivers, can be more complicated to resolve than typical insurance claims. They may involve issues about the food delivery driver’s employment status at the time of the crash and available insurance coverage. 

You deserve to work with an experienced car accident attorney at Gartlan Injury Law who will fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Our auto accident attorneys take on insurance companies and corporations every day on behalf of people who have suffered preventable injuries in DoorDash and Uber Eats driver car accidents in Alabama.

What’s the Difference Between a Typical Car Accident and a Food Service Delivery Car Accident?

Like any car accident lawsuit, a delivery driver accident claim requires you to establish fault, gather evidence, and deal with insurance companies. What makes these car accident cases different is the added layer of complexity that comes with commercial delivery services.

When a DoorDash or Uber Eats driver causes an accident, questions arise that don’t exist in a typical claim: Was the driver actively making a delivery at the time of the crash? Is the delivery driver an employee or an independent contractor? Which insurance policy applies? A skilled car accident lawyer from Gartlan Injury Law can work through the liability questions and seek compensation on your behalf.

What Are DoorDash and Uber Eats?

DoorDash and Uber Eats are on-demand food delivery services that allow customers to order meals from local restaurants through mobile phone apps. Both companies rely heavily on independent contractors who use their own vehicles to make food deliveries. These food delivery services operate in communities throughout Alabama, and their drivers log significant miles every day. The high volume of delivery activity translates directly into a higher risk of accidents on Alabama roads.

What Are Common Causes of DoorDash and Uber Eats Delivery Accidents in Alabama?

DoorDash and Uber Eats delivery drivers often spend hours on the road and operate under deadline pressure to complete deliveries. That combination of urgency and driver fatigue from hours spent behind the wheel can pose real dangers to other road users. Some of the most common causes of delivery driver accidents in Alabama include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Unsafe lane changes
• Failure to yield
• Drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence
• Improper turns
• Following too closely

What Injuries Often Result from a DoorDash or Uber Eats Delivery Collision?

A delivery driver accident can leave you with serious, long-term injuries that affect every aspect of your life. If you were involved in a crash with a DoorDash or Uber Eats driver, you may be dealing with one or more of the following types of injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Psychological injuries

Who Can Be Held At-Fault for a Food Delivery Service Accident?

One of the most challenging aspects of a food delivery service accident case is determining who is financially responsible. Liability in these cases can extend beyond just the driver who caused the collision. Potentially at-fault parties in these cases may include:

• The delivery driver
• A third-party driver
• A vehicle manufacturer (in cases involving mechanical defects)
• A government entity (in cases involving dangerous road conditions)
• A restaurant or merchant partner

Do DoorDash and Uber Eats Provide Their Delivery Drivers with Insurance Coverage?

DoorDash and Uber Eats both maintain commercial insurance coverage for their drivers, but the coverage available depends on the delivery driver’s status at the time of the collision.

If the driver was active on the app and in the process of making a delivery, the delivery service’s insurance policy may provide up to $1 million in auto liability for bodily injury and property damage and $1 million in occupational accident coverage for medical expenses and disability payments. But the insurance only applies while the driver is making an active delivery.

If the delivery driver was logged off, their personal auto insurance becomes the primary coverage. If the delivery driver has a delivery endorsement on their insurance or a commercial policy, those may also provide coverage.

DoorDash and Uber Eats both shield themselves from liability by classifying their drivers as independent contractors. However, that classification isn’t always the final word. A car accident attorney at Gartlan Injury Law can walk you through your legal options for seeking accountability.

What Should You Do If You Are Involved in an Accident with an Alabama DoorDash/Uber Eats Driver?

The decisions you make after a DoorDash or Uber Eats delivery driver accident can affect both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation. Take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t feel seriously injured. A trained medical professional may recognize symptoms of a concussion or other internal injury before they are apparent to you
• Report the delivery driver accident to the police and ask when you can obtain a copy of the report.
• Gather information at the accident scene, including the driver’s name, auto insurance, and delivery service.
• Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, and any visible damage or road conditions.
• Avoid giving recorded statements to any insurance company before speaking with a car accident lawyer.
• Report the accident to DoorDash or Uber Eats as appropriate.
• Contact a knowledgeable Alabama car accident attorney at Gartlan Injury Law as soon as possible to review the circumstances surrounding the accident and your legal rights.

What Damages Can You Seek After a DoorDash/Uber Eats Crash in Alabama?

A successful DoorDash or Uber Eats delivery driver accident claim can result in compensation for the full range of car accident injuries you have suffered, such as the following:

• Medical expenses, including future care costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
• Property damage costs
• Other out-of-pocket expenses

How Can an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Help with My Case?

If you have suffered serious injuries in a delivery driver accident, you have enough to worry about without having to take on powerful insurance companies alone. The personal injury lawyers at Gartlan Injury Law can fight hard for the compensation you need while you focus on regaining your health.

Founding attorney Aaron Gartlan and his team pursue maximum compensation for car accident victims. Aaron is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognitions that reflect his record of real results for real people. His clients know him as someone who listens, communicates, and genuinely cares about them.

Here’s how one client described her experience with the law firm:

“Mr. Gartlan is a great attorney. Answered all my questions. Was always very easy to get in touch with. He also kept me informed of everything that was going on and wanted to make sure my case was closed with the best possible outcome for me and my daughter. I highly recommend him if you ever need an attorney after an accident!”

– Helen

Contact an Alabama DoorDash/Uber Eats Delivery Driver Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by a food delivery driver in Dothan or elsewhere in Alabama, don’t wait to seek help. At Gartlan Injury Law, we offer free initial case reviews and only charge legal fees if we win. Contact us now to arrange your free consultation and take the first step toward pursuing the compensation you need to rebuild your life.