When it comes to car accident claims, few are more complicated than those involving the vehicles of large companies. Companies like DoorDash have particularly complex insurance issues due to the nature of the accidents. Those involved in a DoorDash car accident should speak with an attorney for their DoorDash accident claims.
After a serious accident, you’re likely dealing with pain, medical bills, missing work, and much more. If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you deserve compensation for your losses. The Houston car accident lawyers at Reich & Binstock have the skills you need to fight for your right to a fair recovery. To schedule a free consultation about your DoorDash car accident claim, please call our office at 713-622-7271 today.
What Is DoorDash?
DoorDash is one of many popular food delivery services in the United States, along with GrubHub, Uber Eats, and Postmates. Not only does DoorDash provide opportunities for people to eat food from their favorite restaurants without leaving home or the office, but it also provides food delivery drivers with an easy, flexible way to earn money.
DoorDash drivers are called “Dashers.” Delivery drivers for DoorDash have very flexible schedules, working as many or as few hours a day as they want. They can even limit their delivery days to specific days of the week. In other words, they make their own schedules. In fact, many Dashers hold full-time jobs while Dashing on the weekends.
Although many DoorDash drivers use their personal vehicles for deliveries, they can also use bicycles and other modes of transportation. The requirements for becoming a Dasher are as follows.
- Dashers must be at least 18 years of age.
- They must have a vehicle of some kind, such as a car, bicycle, or scooter.
- They must be able to provide documentation such as their driver’s license number and Social Security Number.
- Dashers must consent to a background check.
How Does DoorDash Work?
One of the main reasons food delivery services like DoorDash are so popular is because of the ease of use. When someone places a food delivery order on the DoorDash app, a DoorDash driver is notified of the order. They can see the order’s details and either accept or decline the delivery.
If the Dasher accepts the delivery, they must drive to the restaurant the customer ordered from, pick up the order, and deliver it to the customer. This sounds simple enough, right? Unfortunately, a negligent DoorDash driver is just as likely as a regular driver to cause an accident that injures you or your family during an active delivery.
If a DoorDash driver’s negligence resulted in a car accident that caused you bodily injury, you deserve compensation for the damages you suffered.
What Are the Most Common Causes of DoorDash Accidents?
Many of the common causes of regular car accidents are also the most common causes of DoorDash accidents. Because of the steep rise of delivery driver applications, there are now more than 1 million food delivery drivers in the country. As with other drivers, Dashes are capable of negligence while operating a motor vehicle.
Most Dashers are safe, competent drivers. However, it only takes a brief moment of negligence from a Dasher to cause an accident. Some of the most common causes of DoorDash driver accident cases include the following.
- Reckless or aggressive driving: Dashers are paid per delivery rather than per hour. This method of payment encourages drivers to complete as many orders as possible in as short a time as possible. Thus, many DoorDash drivers engage in dangerous driving behaviors, such as speeding, improper passing, weaving in and out of traffic, failing to yield, failing to obey traffic signals, and failing to account for the weather.
- Distracted driving: This is one of the most common causes of car accidents in general. Dashers often need to use a GPS system on their phone to reach their destination. While a DoorDash driver isn’t more likely to engage in distracted driving than a normal driver, it is still entirely possible if they try to adjust their GPS while driving.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. Unfortunately, this does not always deter drivers from doing so. Driving under the influence can greatly inhibit one’s judgment, reaction time, and coordination. This inhibition can increase the chances of an accident.
- Fatigued driving: Driving while fatigued often has similar effects and consequences to driving under the influence. Many Dashers have multiple jobs and work long hours, which can lead to fatigued driving and increase the likelihood of an accident.
Common Injuries in DoorDash Accident Claims
If a DoorDash driver causes an accident, many different injuries are possible depending on the severity of the crash. Treatment for these injuries can generate medical expenses that victims often can’t afford to pay. Some of the most common injuries in DoorDash delivery driver accidents include the following.
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Head injuries like concussions and TBIs
- Neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Wrongful death
Does DoorDash Cover Accident Claims?
So, if a DoorDash driver causes or contributes to an accident, will DoorDash cover the costs of your accident claim? The simple answer is that it depends on the facts of the case. DoorDash does maintain excess auto liability insurance for their Dashers, but this insurance coverage only applies while a Dasher is on active delivery.
An active delivery occurs from the time the Dasher accepts a delivery request to the time the order is marked in one of three ways.
- Delivered
- Unassigned
- Canceled
Therefore, if a DoorDash driver causes an accident while they are not on active delivery, their personal auto insurance will cover the costs. Additionally, for DoorDash’s occupational accident policy to cover the costs, the following two conditions must be met.
- The DoorDash driver’s insurance company has denied the claim and provided a coverage denial letter to the victim.
- While on active delivery, the Dasher is considered the liable party for the injuries and damages to the victim.
What Does DoorDash’s Insurance Cover?
In order to be hired by the company, a Dasher must have their own insurance coverage that meets their state’s requirements for minimum liability limits. After a Dasher is hired and their policy through their own insurance company is active, DoorDash’s occupational accident insurance activates.
Specifically, DoorDash’s auto insurance coverage provides for the following.
- $1,000,000 in medical bills with no deductible or co-pay
- Disability payments of up to $500 per week
- $150,000 in survivors’ payments in fatal accidents for eligible dependents
- Up to $1,000,000 in property damage or bodily injury
DoorDash’s Commercial Liability Insurance Policy
According to the company’s commercial liability insurance policy, any property damage to a Dasher’s vehicle is the Dasher’s responsibility. Therefore, vehicle damage should be addressed by the Dasher’s personal insurance provider. If this does not cover repair costs, they may need to obtain additional insurance coverage.
What to Do After an Accident With a DoorDash Driver
The steps that you take after a car accident are crucial. To help your case proceed as smoothly as possible, we recommend the following.
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Collect contact information from those involved in the accident, as well as witnesses to the accident scene.
- Take photos and videos of the scene as evidence of your claim.
- Seek medical attention to generate proof of your injuries.
- Call your auto insurance company to report the accident.
- Contact an attorney experienced in personal injury law.
How to File a DoorDash Accident Claim
Before you contact DoorDash about the accident, we strongly recommend speaking with a personal injury attorney. Once you reach out to DoorDash, they will direct your claim to their email address: autoclaims@doordash.com. This is where you will submit your claim and begin the claims process.
The company will then ask you to send the evidence you have collected, including photos and videos. After they review your claim, they will then refer you to a third-party insurance company. The insurance company will review the evidence you send, then assign you a claim number.
Once the claim is confirmed, you will no longer deal with DoorDash directly. Instead, you will speak with a third-party insurance company. You and your attorney will proceed with settlement negotiations with the insurer. If you cannot come to a settlement agreement, you can then pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault Dasher and DoorDash.
What Do I Need to File a DoorDash Accident Claim?
To have your claim processed, you will need certain information. First, you will need the Dasher’s contact information and personal insurance information. Then, you will need to receive a denial letter from the Dasher’s insurer for DoorDash’s insurance policy to apply to your case.
Compensation in DoorDash Accident Claims
When you file a claim under DoorDash’s insurance policy, you may be entitled to the following forms of compensation.
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Funeral and burial expenses
Do I Need an Attorney After a DoorDash Accident?
You are not required to hire an attorney for your accident, but we strongly recommend doing so. DoorDash is a large company with teams of lawyers on their side. It would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to go up against their insurance company on your own. The personal injury attorneys at Reich & Binstock provide aggressive representation for our clients, and we have what it takes to fight for your right to fair compensation.
Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Reich & Binstock Today
If you were injured in a DoorDash accident, you need a skilled Houston car accident lawyer with Reich & Binstock. We have extensive experience going up against large companies like DoorDash, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and more. To schedule your free consultation with a skilled Houston personal injury attorney, please call our office at 713-622-7271 today.
