Washington Food Delivery Accident Lawyer

Washington state is filled to the brim with delicious cuisines and is home to thousands of famous restaurants, and with the popularization of food delivery apps and services like Uber Eats, Postmates, Doordash, and Grubhub, many are given the opportunity to order their favorite meals right to their home. However, this also means that the number of food delivery drivers have increased in order to meet the ongoing demand and the chances of your food delivery driver getting into an accident is more likely than you think.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness then you may be able to obtain compensation for your damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of attorneys are ready to take on your case and fight for you. With over 20 years of legal experience, our attorneys handle each case with the utmost care and they are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty and make sure they are properly represented in the Washington court system. As food delivery accidents tend to be notorious for trying to determine liability, our legal team will be there every step of the way should you have any questions or concerns about your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at 206-222-8860 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Defining Food Delivery Services

Food delivery services have long evolved from pizza delivery drivers as app based delivery services like Doordash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates have expanded and redefined what constitutes a delivery driver. As these app based food delivery companies focus on providing customers convenience, they employ an army of independent contractors in order to fulfill that demand.

Even grocery delivery services like Instacart and Shipt are adding their share of drivers on the road by allowing customers to have their groceries delivered to their home. With this influx of drivers there have been more car accidents on the road, but due to the driver’s independent contractor status it has made filing and processing accident claims more difficult than one would realize.

Common Reasons for Food Delivery Accidents

When it comes to identifying the most common causes of food delivery accidents, there are a number of factors that can cause one to occur. However, from what is most commonly seen, distracted driving and speeding are the most prominent causes for food delivery accidents. Whether the accident was due to someone else’s negligence or not, it is important that you familiarize yourself with these causes so you would have a better understanding of your situation should you file a claim with an experienced attorney.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is defined as the act of driving while diverting a portion of your attention away from the road. Distractions such as checking your phone, changing the music, eating/drinking, and even talking to someone in your car are all things that can lead to an auto accident if the driver is not paying enough attention.

However, for app-based drivers they have to constantly look at their phone for any updates, manage incoming orders, and make sure they are following their GPS correctly. With that in mind, the chances of a delivery driver getting involved in an accident dramatically increases and depending on the nature of the accident, they could be held liable.

Speeding

One of the most common causes of traffic accidents in the United States, the National Safety Council has reported in a motor vehicle safety issue report that speeding has caused about 29% of all car accidents in 2022. Considering the amount of orders delivery drivers have to deliver, they may feel compelled to speed in order to avoid receiving negative reviews.

However, it is important to note that a delivery driver can be hit by a negligent driver who was speeding. In these cases, whoever has caused the accident by speeding then they would become liable for all damages. Whether you are an Uber Eats driver or some other driver on the road, it is imperative that you follow all traffic rules to avoid a motor vehicle accident.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Delivery Accident?

If you have been injured in a food delivery accident, you can file a claim to recover compensation for your damages, but the amount will be heavily dependent on the severity and scale of your damages. If you wish to find out how much compensation you can receive for your damages, you can input your information into our personal injury settlement calculator or you can consult with an accident lawyer. However, if you are unfamiliar with what kind of damages are available, it is best to familiarize yourself should you wish to file a claim.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are defined as calculable losses designed to financially restore accident victims for any unexpected costs that suddenly arise in an accident. For example, future medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, physical therapy, and quality of life adjustments are things that can be compensated when a person has suffered serious injuries in a food delivery accident.

While these will be dependent on the severity, they can be objectively recovered for a fixed amount. So whether you have suffered a moderate injury or catastrophic injuries like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries, you can file a claim and won’t be forced to pay for that out-of-pocket.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are defined as incalculable losses designed to compensate accident victims for losses that are subjective by nature. For example, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress are very subjective emotional injuries that will vary widely from person to person in an accident. Due to the subjective nature of these damages, there needs to be definitive proof that the accident in question has had a profound impact on accident victims for non-economic damages to be awarded.

What to Do When a Food Delivery Accident Occurs

If you have been involved in a food delivery accident it is important that you stay calm and carefully assess the situation so you accidentally make the situation worse. Much like a car accident, if the people involved are critically injured in an accident, it is vital that you call 911 and have first responders arrive and take control of the accident scene. From there, you can start documenting the scene by taking pictures, videos, and witness statements from those around.

Should the police arrive and take control of the accident, you can ask for a copy of the police report at a later time. Once you have documented the accident as much as possible, it is important that you exchange contact information with those involved so you can file a claim with your insurance company, and the food delivery company so you can access their liability coverage.

However, it is important to note that the liability coverage for food deliveries will be very strict and require drivers to meet a list of requirements in order to access it. So it is vital that you check and make sure that you meet all of the requirements. If there are any complications when you are filing a claim, it is recommended to hire an accident attorney so they can help you recover damages for any sudden expenses that may arise such as medical bills.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here To Help

If you or a loved one were injured in a food delivery accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries and any other sustained damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of experienced lawyers are ready to take on your case and give you the legal representation that you are looking for. With over 20 years of legal experience, our team of talented attorneys are well versed in handling these cases and are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to do our due diligence to give them proper legal representation. As determining liability in food delivery accidents is notorious for being complex and time consuming, our legal team is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE initial consultation today, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at 206-222-8860 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Food Delivery Accidents

Can You Sue DoorDash for a Car Accident?

If you have been involved in a DoorDash accident, it is difficult to directly sue DoorDash because they would need to directly cause the car accident to occur in order to be held liable for any damages. This is largely due to the fact that DoorDash drivers are classified as independent contractors, meaning the company isn’t automatically liable for their actions, no matter what kind of injuries a victim has suffered.

How Can a Food Delivery Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A food delivery accident lawyer can help you with a variety of different tasks that are essential for your case. From filing your personal injury claim to negotiating with opposing counsel, food delivery accident lawyers are there to help you throughout the entire legal process and serve as an objective source for all of your legal questions and concerns. While you can choose to file a personal injury and insurance claim without lawyers, but, you risk the possibility of losing your case or receiving a lower offer from opposing counsel and the insurance company.

Does It Matter What the Delivery Driver Was Delivering at the Time of the Accident?

The items that a delivery driver was transporting does not matter if they become involved in an accident. The only instance where that might become an issue is if the driver was directly interacting with the item and was the leading factor that caused the accident in question. Other than that, the main things to watch out for in an accident is the cause and scale of the accident and depending on the details, it is recommended to hire a personal injury attorney from a well established law firm to help you with your case.

How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge?

Every accident attorney will charge at a different rate, but most attorneys and law firms tend to operate under a contingency system and charge a flat fee for their services. However, it is important to note, attorneys who operate under this system only get paid if they either win or receive a settlement offer from opposing counsel. Should they achieve either scenario, then they can charge a fee that ranges from 25%-40%, but most tend to average around 33%.