With the rise of food delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash, more people than ever before are on the road to make money. But when you deliver food, you’re often driving your own car. So, what happens when you’re involved in an accident while you’re delivering?
Beyond figuring out if your expenses are covered and dealing with your insurance company, you might need to go up against a food delivery company as well. An Athens food delivery car accident attorney may be able to help you file a claim or take your case to court.
Do I Get Workers’ Compensation for a Food Delivery Car Accident?
In Georgia, most businesses with three or more employees are required to provide workers’ compensation. As long as you’re employed by a large-enough business, you’re eligible for workers’ comp. Georgia’s State Board of Workers’ Compensation lets you check if your business provides insurance coverage for work-related injuries.
However, if you’re a driver for a food delivery app, you’re technically a contractor. That means the companies are not legally required to provide insurance. You still have options, though. Some delivery companies will cover some of your expenses if you’re in an accident and need medical treatments.
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Your Accident Coverage Depends on Your Food Delivery Company
Not all food delivery companies offer you the same protection for damages you might have in an accident. Some cover property damage and injuries, while some don’t cover anything. It’s also important to remember that food delivery companies only cover your expenses if you have their app open on your phone at the time of the accident.
Uber’s Insurance Depends on What You Were Doing
Like other rideshare and food delivery apps, Uber covers some expenses if you’re in a crash while you’re actively fulfilling an order. They offer one million dollars for uninsured injuries.
Uber goes a step further, though.
If you’re available or waiting for a ride request in the app, you can also get $50,000 for bodily injuries per person, $100,000 for bodily injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Postmates Has Comprehensive Benefits Depending on Your Situation
Postmates covers accidental medical expenses up to a million dollars if you’re hurt while delivering. They’ll also cover temporary and continuous total disability with weekly replacement earnings. The delivery app’s occupational accident insurance also offers benefits for accidental death, dismemberment, and survivors of the deceased.
Postmates does require you to have your own auto insurance and will only cover damages to others’ property if you’re in an accident.
Doordash Offers Some Medical Coverage for Drivers
Doordash, like Postmates, offers occupational accident insurance. This covers one million dollars of medical expenses, $500 a week for disability, and $150,000 for surviving dependents. Doordash requires you to have your own auto insurance, and only pays damages for third parties.
Other Delivery Apps don’t Cover Your Injuries
Neither Instacart nor Grubhub offers coverage for their drivers for medical or auto expenses. Both companies do require employees to supply their own auto insurance.
What to Do If You’re in a Food Delivery Car Crash
Being in a car crash is jarring and stressful, but there are some things that you can do to make your life easier and ensure your health. If you’re involved in a food delivery car accident, you should:
- Call the police immediately and file a police report
- Gather evidence at the scene of the crash, including writing down what happened and taking pictures
- Go to a doctor, even if you feel well. You may have underlying physical injuries
- Talk to a food delivery car accident lawyer in Athens who offers free consultations
- Do not sign anything the insurance company sends you until you’ve consulted with an attorney
It’s important that once you’ve made sure that you and any passengers are okay, you act quickly.
Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Georgia
According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 9-3-33, you have two years to file a lawsuit for an injury. Even if you don’t expect to sue, you should act on your insurance claim soon. A client who contacts their personal injury lawyer immediately after an accident can build a much stronger case than one who waits too long.
How a Food Delivery Car Accident Lawyer in Athens Can Help
When you contact one of our Athens food delivery car accident attorneys, we will get to work right away to assess your situation and figure out the best way to handle your claim. You shouldn’t be the only one trying to prove the party that was at fault in your accident. Insurance companies are hard to deal with, so let us help.
We Will Calculate Your Damages
When you contact us for legal advice, one of the first things our Athens food delivery car accident attorneys do is assess your losses. We’ll gather evidence at the scene of the crash and interview anyone involved to determine the at-fault party.
We’ll also research driving records and police reports to get any background necessary. Then, depending on your physical injuries, medical bills, and possible long-term disability, we will calculate how much money you stand to lose because of your accident.
We Will Negotiate with Your Insurance Company
Insurance companies can have predatory practices that are designed to save them money. They might offer you a lump sum or deny your initial claim. Our experienced attorneys will build you a fair insurance claim so that you can get the compensation you deserve.
We Will Represent Our Client in Court
It’s not likely that your case will make it in front of a judge. Usually, personal injury claims resolve outside of court. In the event that you do go to court, though, one of our Athens food delivery car accident attorneys will fight for you.
Talk to Our Food Delivery Car Accident Attorneys for Free
Dealing with your insurance company and out-of-pocket expenses can turn an already unfortunate situation into a nightmare. If you were in an accident while delivering food, you could use the help and advice of an experienced food delivery car accident lawyer in Athens.
While you figure out medical treatments and getting back on your feet, we can handle the details. Contact John Foy & Associates today to get a firm with decades of experience on your side.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
