When a DoorDash driver is paying more attention to their phone than to the road, it jeopardizes everyone around them. If you have been injured by a DoorDash driver, contact us today to discuss your legal options.
Negligent DoorDash Drivers
Given the state of the economy coupled with social distancing, we’re living in times of uncertainty. Many people are being personally and professionally reclusive and just staying home. One type of business that’s doing well in California is food delivery service. People are making some much needed extra cash in this line of work, but they’re always trying to beat the delivery clock to get in line for the next order and increase their earnings. That haste makes for carelessness, and carelessness on the roadway leads to negligence and causing accidents.
DoorDash Accidents
DoorDash is one of the most popular food delivery companies throughout California. It’s an app-based business that allows users to order meals and have them delivered wherever they are. What happens when you’re injured in an accident that was caused by a DoorDash driver? You may well be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. When a driver is in the process of delivering food for DoorDash, the company might be liable for any injuries and damages that result from an accident during the delivery trip.
The Insurance Issue
Like the other app-based food delivery companies, DoorDash requires its drivers to carry their own personal automobile insurance with at least California’s minimum liability coverage. Unfortunately, California’s legislature set mandatory car insurance coverage at terribly low levels of $15,000 per person, $30,000 per occurrence and $5,000 of property damage. That’s not enough to cover medical bills and lost earnings from just a fractured wrist that requires surgery. DoorDash then carries excess coverage of $1 million beyond any policy limits that the driver has that have been exhausted in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Preserving and Protecting Your Rights
For purposes of preserving and protecting your right to any compensation that you might deserve after being injured through the carelessness and negligence of a DoorDash driver, here’s what you need to do:
- Call 911 and report the accident. Tell the 911 dispatcher that both police and paramedics are needed at the accident site. Police can perform their investigation, and paramedics can stabilize your condition and get you to an emergency room. Reports by police, paramedics and emergency room personnel will be pivotal in your personal injury claim.
- Follow the discharge instructions from the emergency room. These will likely refer you to either your own doctor or an orthopedist or neurologist for follow-up. Attend all such appointments, including all therapy or other treatment appointments.
- Contact your car insurance company and let its representative know that you were injured in an accident, regardless of the fact that it wasn’t your fault. It’s against California law for your insurer to raise your premium rates under the circumstances.
- Contact our law firm to obtain a free consultation and case evaluation. We can answer your questions and advise you on all of your legal alternatives.
- Politely refuse to give any type of a written or recorded statement to any opposing insurance company. California law doesn’t require you to give one without an attorney being present on your behalf. Don’t let an opposing insurer try to intimidate you. If we’re retained to represent you, refer their representatives to us. It’s against the law for them to speak with you further without your attorney being present.
Make that call for your free consultation and case evaluation as soon as you’re able to. The insurers of the DoorDash driver will start setting up their defense right away. You’ll want to preserve and assert your right to compensation for your injuries and damages as soon as you can too.
