Who Can You Sue in An Uber Eats Food Delivery Driver Accident?

Food delivery apps like Uber Eats have become a staple for thousands of households in the US. In 2022 alone, the app garnered over 80 million users and has become the world’s second-most downloaded food delivery app. 

These services have made it easier for people to satisfy their cravings, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can enjoy delicious meals in the comfort of your home. But with convenience comes risk. 

With hundreds of Uber Eats food delivery drivers on the road, the risk of catastrophic accidents has increased significantly. When these incidents happen, who should be held responsible for the damages they cause?

Today, we’ll explore how liability works for Uber Eats crashes. We’ll outline the steps you must take after such an incident and discuss how a personal injury lawyer can help you pursue legal action. 

What to Do After an Uber Eats Crash

If you got involved in a car accident with a food delivery driver like Uber Eats, here’s what you must do:

• Ensure your safety: The first thing you must do after an Uber crash is to ensure your safety. Move your vehicles away from traffic and find a safe location to stay. 
• Check for injuries: Assess yourself, your passengers, and the food delivery driver for injuries. If anyone has been injured, call for emergency medical assistance immediately. 
• Contact authorities: Once you can, call the police and ask them to create an official report. The same rule applies to minor Uber crashes. 
• Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the food delivery driver. Ask for their name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance information. This way, you know who to contact when you file your claim. 
• Document the scene: Take photos and videos of the scene, including the damages and injuries you’ve sustained. This evidence will be crucial to your claim. 

Who Should Be Liable For an Uber Eats Accident?

You must understand how the company operates to determine who should be liable for an Uber Eats car accident. 

Contrary to popular belief, Uber Eats food delivery drivers are not employees but independent contractors. This means the driver will be liable for their negligent actions and the damages and injuries it causes, not the food delivery company. 

Fortunately for delivery drivers, Uber has different insurance policies applicable to two different scenarios: 

• When the driver is on an active delivery: If the food delivery driver was online and on an active delivery during the incident, Uber Eats’ $1 million third-party liability insurance will be applied. It covers bodily injury and property damages. 
• When the driver is between deliveries: If the food delivery driver was online waiting for a delivery request when the accident occurred, their insurance will be applied. UberEats’ third-party liability coverage will only be used if the driver’s insurance is insufficient. 

It’s worth noting that Uber Eats policies do not cover incidents that occur while the driver is offline. In these scenarios, the driver’s auto insurance will be applied. 

What Damages Can You Claim in an Uber Eats Crash?

The damages you may claim in an Uber Eats car accident vary depending on the nature of your case. But typically, you may be able to get compensation for the following: 

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Common Causes of Uber Eats Accidents

Several factors can contribute to Uber Eats crashes, such as:

Distracted Driving

It’s very common for Uber Eats food delivery drivers to use their phones while driving, which puts them and other motorists at risk. 

Time Pressure

Some food delivery drivers are pressured to deliver food within a specific timeframe, causing them to engage in aggressive driving behaviors like speeding or running red lights. 

Lack of Proper Training

Drivers need proper training to learn safe driving techniques and develop essential driving skills that will allow them to prevent accidents. Without it, they won’t be able to anticipate potential hazards on the road. 

Common Injuries Sustained in Uber Eats Crashes

Uber Eats accidents can lead to various injuries, such as: 

• Broken bones
• Blunt force trauma
• Nerve damage
• Organ damage
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The impact of these accidents extends beyond physical injuries. They can cause emotional distress and heavy financial burdens to victims and their loved ones. 

How an Uber Accident Lawyer Can Help

Although you can file a claim independently, hiring an experienced Uber accident lawyer has plenty of benefits. Below, we’ve outlined what expert legal counsel can do for your claim: 

Determine Liability

Determining liability for Uber crashes can be challenging since multiple parties are involved. They demand a deep understanding of ridesharing laws and regulations. 

An experienced Uber accident lawyer will use their knowledge and expertise of the law to determine who should be liable for your damages. 

Maximize Compensation

One of the primary goals of an Uber accident lawyer is to maximize the awards you may receive. They will assess the full extent of your losses, including all relevant medical expenses, lost wages, and any other damages you incurred due to the incident. 

Handle Insurance Companies

Once you hire an Uber accident lawyer, they will handle all communications and negotiations with the other party’s insurance provider on your behalf. You no longer have to deal with their barrage of calls and attempts to minimize your payout. 

Offers Peace of Mind

Lastly, Uber accident lawyers will provide you peace of mind during this difficult time. They will take over your case, from gathering evidence to communicating with insurance companies, so that you can focus on what matters most: your healing. 

Get Expert Legal Counsel Today

If you need help filing a claim against an Uber Eats food delivery driver, look no further than Adamson Ahdoot. 

Adamson Ahdoot is one of California’s premier civil litigation firms. Our team of Uber accident lawyers has handled various claims, from simple rear-end collisions to complex ridesharing accidents. 

Their combined legal experience of 100 years allows them to create customized legal solutions tailored to our client’s needs and goals. 

Contact Adamson Ahdoot at (800) 310-1606 and take action today!