Several parties may be financially liable in a Florida DoorDash accident, including the driver, the food delivery company, and other drivers or companies. The DoorDash driver’s status at the time of the auto accident also affects whether DoorDash umbrella liability coverage applies.
At Zervos & Calta, PLLC, our car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injury victims understand their rights after car accidents involving complex liability issues. Look at this easy guide to learn who could be liable for DoorDash car accidents and the help available if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence.
How Can a Florida Car Accident Lawyer Help Me If I Was Hit By a DoorDash Driver?
DoorDash accident claims are more complex and challenging than typical car accident claims. Multiple insurance companies may be involved. DoorDash may try to avoid financial liability since its delivery drivers are classified as independent contractors. Determining who is liable for a DoorDash car accident may require an in-depth investigation. That’s why seeking the guidance of an experienced car accident attorney is crucial.
An experienced attorney can help by:
- Reviewing your case for free
- Investigating the accident and identifying the at-fault party
- Gathering evidence to support an injury claim
- Determining whether DoorDash’s insurance applies to your accident
- Handling all communications with insurance adjusters
- Filing a car accident lawsuit and seeking car accident compensation in court if an insurance company refuses to pay your injury claim
If you don’t have skilled car accident representation on your side, an insurance provider may deny your claim for fair compensation and leave you paying for mounting medical bills.
What Is DoorDash?
DoorDash is a food delivery service that connects customers with local restaurants through its DoorDash app. Delivery drivers, or “Dashers,” use their personal vehicles to pick up food orders and deliver them to customers.
Dashers are not considered DoorDash employees. They are independent contractors. This distinction matters because it affects whether DoorDash can be held responsible when a Dasher causes an accident.
What Are Some Causes of DoorDash Accidents in Florida?
DoorDash accidents can happen in various ways.
Some of the most common causes of DoorDash accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Fatigue
- Inexperienced drivers
- Failure to obey traffic laws
All of these may constitute negligence and be used to establish financial liability in car accident cases. An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate the accident to determine the at-fault driver and what evidence is needed to hold them responsible.
What Steps Should You Take After a DoorDash Car Accident?
If you’re injured in a crash involving a DoorDash driver, there are steps you can take to protect your rights under Florida law and strengthen your car accident claim. Be sure to:
- Seek Medical Attention: If you have suffered any type of injury as a result of the accident, you should see a healthcare professional and have an assessment as soon as possible. Seeking immediate medical attention may allow a doctor to diagnose injuries that are not immediately apparent to you, such as a concussion or internal injury.
- Report the Accident: A police report can provide key details about a motor vehicle accident that can support your version of events.
- Document the Accident Scene: If you’re able, take photos and videos of vehicle damage, accident debris, skid marks, traffic signs, weather conditions, and visible injuries.
- Collect Contact Information: Get contact info and insurance information of those involved, and confirm whether a DoorDash driver was using the DoorDash app at the time of the collision. If there were any witnesses, gather their contact information, as well.
- Contact a Lawyer: A skilled car accident attorney can lead you through the process of pursuing a car accident claim.
How Do You Prove Who Was Liable for the DoorDash Car Accident?
After a crash, Florida law requires drivers to file accident claims first with their own insurance company for no-fault benefits. If you have a serious injury, your medical expenses may exceed the coverage available through the no-fault insurance system. An experienced attorney can help you file a negligence claim against the at-fault party and pursue compensation.
To establish liability, you need to show that the DoorDash driver, or another party, was negligent and that their negligence caused your serious injuries. This can be done with the help of:
- Police accident reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera or dashcam footage
- Medical and financial records
Recovering compensation in a car accident claim requires you to prove the at-fault party was responsible for the accident and to show the extent of your injuries. Showing the extent and impact of your injuries can require medical records, copies of hospital bills, and proof of lost wages.
Does DoorDash Provide Insurance for Its Drivers?
Yes, it does in some accident cases. However, it depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. DoorDash provides limited insurance coverage to drivers during the “Delivery Service” period and when a driver has accepted a delivery request on the DoorDash app. A driver is in this delivery service period until the order is marked delivered, unassigned, or cancelled.
DoorDash’s coverage can include up to $1 million for bodily injury and property damage to third parties if the DoorDash driver causes a crash while making a delivery. However, if the driver did not have the DoorDash app activated at the time of the accident, only the driver’s personal auto insurance policy would apply.
Who Can You Sue If One of DoorDash’s Drivers Hits You?
Liability can be complicated in DoorDash accidents. Potentially liable parties include:
- The DoorDash Driver: If the driver’s negligence caused the accident and they were not actively delivering, their personal auto insurer may be responsible.
- DoorDash: If the driver was picking up or carrying a delivery at the time of the accident, DoorDash’s insurance may apply.
- Third-Party: If another driver contributed to the crash, such as a negligent motorist who cut the DoorDash driver off, you may have a claim against them.
In Florida, you would look to your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage first. If your injuries are significant and meet the serious injury threshold, you may have a right to sue another party for your losses.
What Types of Compensation May Be Available for a Florida DoorDash Car Accident Claim?
If you were injured in a DoorDash accident, your attorney may seek compensation for the following losses and accident expenses on your behalf:
- Current and future reasonable medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the accident resulted in the loss of a loved one, you may also have a valid wrongful death claim. Wrongful death compensation can include funeral or burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and medical bills incurred before the deceased’s passing.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer
DoorDash accident claims can be complicated and challenging, but you don’t have to pursue yours alone. When times are tough, your lawyer should be, too. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Zervos & Calta, PLLC, have over 50 years of combined experience protecting the rights of car accident victims. Our law firm has recovered millions in verdicts and settlements for injured victims. Our Florida lawyers will fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life, while you focus on regaining your health. Contact us today for your free consultation.
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About the Author
Lauren Calta
Attorney Lauren Calta is a partner in the Tampa Bay law firm Zervos & Calta, PLLC. For 33 years, Lauren Calta has focused her legal practice on representing people who have been harmed in personal injury, car accidents or lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. A distinguished personal injury trial attorney, she has secured millions of dollars for her clients and is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum in recognition of having obtained a settlement or verdict in excess of $2 million. She also is an official member of Lawyers of Distinction, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers, Clearwater Bar Association and Florida Justice Association.
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