
Fresno Food Delivery Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a food delivery accident due to the negligence of a food delivery driver, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against them. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Fresno food delivery accident attorneys are available 24/7 to offer legal assistance to accident victims. With our track record of recovering more than $1.7 billion in settlements for our clients.
Please do not hesitate to contact us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out this online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at our Fresno personal injury law firm.
Why Choose West Coast Trial Lawyers for Your Fresno Food Delivery Accident Case?
Harvard-Educated Leadership
Our President, Neama Rahmani, one of Harvard Law School’s youngest graduates and a former federal prosecutor, brings elite legal expertise to every food delivery accident case. His deep knowledge of California’s traffic and liability laws ensures we craft a compelling claim to secure the compensation you deserve after a crash involving a delivery driver in Fresno.
Available 24/7 – We Come to You
A food delivery accident can leave you injured and overwhelmed, whether it happened on Blackstone Avenue or near a Fresno restaurant. Unlike other firms, our food delivery accident attorneys are available 24/7 and will meet you wherever you are—at home, in a hospital, or even at your workplace—ensuring you get support when you need it most.
Trusted by High-Profile Clients
High-profile clients trust West Coast Trial Lawyers to handle their cases with integrity and success. We bring that same commitment to every Fresno food delivery accident victim, fighting tirelessly to hold negligent drivers, delivery companies, or insurers accountable for your injuries.
Multilingual Legal Team
Our diverse, multilingual team speaks your language, making it easy to navigate your food delivery accident claim with clear, comfortable communication. From explaining complex insurance policies to negotiating with corporate insurers, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
No Fees Unless We Win
We understand the financial strain a food delivery accident can cause, especially with medical bills piling up. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win or settle your case. With no upfront costs or hidden fees, our Fresno team is fully dedicated to delivering results for your food delivery accident claim.
Common Causes of Food Delivery Accidents in Fresno
Food delivery accidents in Fresno, whether on Shaw Avenue or near the Tower District can happen in a split second and leave you with serious injuries and big bills. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we’ve seen how the rise of Uber Eats, DoorDash and Postmates has led to more accidents involving delivery drivers.
Knowing the causes of these accidents can help you stay safe and help your personal injury claim if you’ve been hurt. Our Fresno food delivery accident lawyers know California law inside and out and we’ll hold the negligent driver or company accountable. Here are the most common reasons these accidents happen:
Distracted Driving
Delivery drivers are checking their apps for orders or GPS directions while speeding through Fresno streets, taking their eyes off the road and hitting pedestrians, cyclists or other cars.
Speeding to Meet Deadline
Food delivery drivers are given a time limit of when they are expected to pick up or drop off an order, they may feel the need to deliver orders in a hurry to avoid falling behind on schedule – reducing their ability to stop for traffic or pedestrians.
Fatigued Driving
Long shifts and late night deliveries have drivers exhausted, impairing their reaction time and increasing the risk of accidents in Downtown Fresno.
Ignoring Traffic Laws
Some delivery drivers run red lights or fail to yield at crosswalks, violating California law and putting others in danger.
Vehicle Maintenance Issues
Delivery drivers using personal vehicles may not maintain their cars and the accidents are caused by faulty brakes or worn out tires.
Also, If a food delivery driver enters an unfamiliar location while trying to deliver a customer’s order, they may find themselves feeling lost and confused. Oftentimes, a lost driver will be seen committing actions, such as sudden stops or turns. This is very dangerous as it can make it difficult for other drivers to understand where the food delivery driver is trying to go.
Filing a food delivery accident claim is complicated especially when dealing with corporate insurance companies or gig economy platforms. We investigate every detail—from traffic camera footage to driver logs—to build your case and fight for your compensation..
In Depth Insurance Policies for a Food Delivery Accident
Food delivery companies offer insurance policies in case a food delivery driver is involved in an accident. Below, we will go into detail of the three most popular food delivery companies in Fresno and what type of protection they provide to their drivers.
DoorDash
Doordash provides excess auto insurance for its drivers, but only for property damage or bodily injury caused to third parties. In the event of an accident, the driver’s personal auto insurance policy would serve as the primary coverage. If the damages exceed the food delivery driver’s policy and the accident happened when the driver was on active delivery, DoorDash’s contingent liability policy of $1 million would only then go into effect.
Furthermore, this contingent liability policy only applies if the driver was in possession of goods to be delivered, meaning if they were driving from the restaurant to a delivery but not to a restaurant for pickup. Starting June 2019, all U.S. Dashers (what they call their drivers) will automatically be eligible for occupational accident insurance coverage at no cost, which in the event of an accident will cover:
- Medical expenses: Up to $1,000,000 with no deductible or co-pay
- Disability payments: Up to $500 a week
- Survivors payments: Up to $150,000 for eligible dependents
Postmates
Postmates provides $1 million in excess liability to third party claims that will only come into play after the driver’s personal auto insurance coverage has been exhausted. Moreover, they offer occupational accident insurance, which covers medical and lost income with an amount up to the policy limits. The following are benefits and protections a driver may receive under this insurance.
- Accident medical expense: Up to $1,000,000 (with no deductible or copay).
- Accidental death benefit: Up to $100,000.
- Survivors benefit: Up to $100,000.
- Continuous total disability: Up to $500 a week in on-demand service replacement earnings.
- Temporary total disability: Up to $500 a week in on-demand services replacement earnings.
- Accidental dismemberment: Up to $200,000.
Coverage for accidental death, survivors benefit, accidental dismemberment, and paralysis benefits are reduced if the driver is 65 years old or older.
UberEats
UberEats offers coverage that is nearly identical to the coverage provided to UberX drivers. Uber clarified their policies on their website with the following:
- $1 million of liability coverage per incident- Uber holds a commercial insurance policy with $1 million of coverage per incident. Drivers’ liability to third parties is covered from the moment a driver accepts the request to deliver meals or goods to the time the delivery is complete.
- Contingent comprehensive and collision insurance- If a delivery partner holds personal comprehensive and collision insurance, this policy covers physical damage that occurs to the vehicle during a trip up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, for any reason, with a $1,000 deductible.
- $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 of coverage between trips- During the time that a ride-sharing partner is available but between deliveries, many personal auto insurance policies will provide coverage (this is not true). However, if the driver does not have applicable coverage, they have a policy that covers the driver’s liability for bodily injury up to $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 (per individual/accident/property damage).
Types of Recoverable Damages in a Food Delivery Accident
If you’ve been injured in a food delivery accident in California, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. These damages are divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic. Knowing these can help you get fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for measurable financial losses caused by the accident. In California you can recover:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy or future medical needs related to your injuries.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for time off work during recovery, including future earnings if your injuries impact your ability to work long term.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged property, like your vehicle, bicycle or delivery equipment (e.g. phone, insulated bags).
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Other costs related to the accident, like transportation to medical appointments or hiring help for daily tasks during recovery.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address intangible losses that don’t have a clear dollar value but impact your life. In California these include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries.
- Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological effects, like anxiety, depression or trauma from the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to enjoy hobbies, social activities or daily routines due to your injuries.
- Loss of Consortium: Damages for a spouse or registered domestic partner for the loss of companionship, affection or support.
Key Considerations in California
Punitive Damages
In rare cases if the at-fault party acted recklessly (e.g. driving under the influence) California courts may award punitive damages to punish egregious behavior.
Shared Fault
California’s pure comparative negligence rule means your compensation may be reduced if you’re partially at fault. For example if you’re 20% responsible your damages are reduced by 20%.
Time Limits
You generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim and three years for property damage claims in California.
Gig Worker Status
If you’re a food delivery driver (e.g. Uber Eats, DoorDash) your status as an independent contractor or employee under California’s AB5 or Proposition 22 may affect liability and insurance coverage.
West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help
If you have sustained an injury in a food delivery accident as a result of someone’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. A Fresno food delivery accident attorney at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for your losses.
To schedule a free consultation at our Fresno personal injury law firm, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out this online contact form.
