More than 1.4 million driver employees deliver food, and at least 6 million gig economy workers are contractors for DoorDash and Uber Eats. With so many people employed in this manner, the increase in the number of food delivery accidents are no surprise.
If you suffered injuries in this type of crash, an Elgin food delivery accident lawyer from the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., could help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Our experienced car crash attorneys could seek the largest damages award that may be available under the specific facts of your case.
How Do You Establish Responsibility for a Food Delivery Driver Accident?
As a direct employee, a delivery driver’s employer is responsible for injuries caused by an accident that occurred while providing delivery services within the scope of their employment. A business might try to avoid this responsibility by claiming that its employee took a detour to handle personal matters at the time of their crash. Our experienced Elgin attorneys could use the facts and evidence of your case to overcome such defenses if the food delivery driver’s employer tries to avoid your accident claim.
The situation becomes more complex when a driver is considered an independent contractor. When necessary, our skillful attorneys could closely analyze evidence regarding the contractor relationship to show that the contract delivery company:
- Treated the driver like an employee by exercising control over their actions and services
- Failed to do a thorough background check on the driver, especially if they had previously been in multiple accidents
- Ignored warning signs, such as citations for speeding or reckless driving, demonstrating that the driver posed excessive risks
- Fraudulently classified the driver as an independent contractor to avoid paying benefits and to shield itself from responsibility for their mistakes
Communicating with insurance and delivery service companies can be stressful, but a dedicated attorney could help.
Collect Information After Your Food Delivery Driver Accident
Food delivery drivers are often in a hurry to finish their deliveries, so the driver involved in your crash may be anxious or unwilling to wait very long at the accident scene. To give yourself the best opportunity to recover the damages award you are entitled to, document your accident and get as much information about the delivery driver as you can, including:
- The driver’s name, contact information, auto insurance company, and the employer or contract service the driver works for
- Photographs of the accident scene and damaged vehicles
- Contact information of any witnesses who observed the accident
- Police accident reports
Our Elgin attorneys would also advise you to get a medical examination within 24 hours after your crash with a food delivery driver to establish the time and extent of your injuries.
Take Precautions When Talking to Insurance Companies
You should report the accident to your own auto insurance carrier, but be very careful about making additional statements to other insurance companies. Delivery drivers and their employers’ or contract service’s insurance provider may contact you for information. It is important to note that anything you say can be used to challenge your claim to recover your damages.
As soon as possible after your food delivery accident in Elgin, consult an attorney who could manage all your communications with insurers. As soon as you report that you have legal representation, insurers will stop bothering you and instead communicate only with your legal counsel.
Contact Our Elgin Attorneys Today After a Food Delivery Vehicle Wreck
If you sustained injuries in a crash with a food delivery driver, you need a skilled attorney’s help. Contact the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., today to schedule a no-fee consultation with an Elgin food delivery accident lawyer at our firm. You will pay no fees unless we recover damages for you.