Uber Eats Accidents in Spokane

Nowadays a craving for some fast-food or a gourmet restaurant meal sends us to our phones instead of our cars. Doorstep delivery for the best burgers and tacos in Spokane is now as easy as pulling up an app.  Delivery companies like Uber Eats will bring warm food right to your front porch within minutes.

We love the easy access to our favorite restaurants, but there is a downside you may not notice until your out on the roads yourself.  With so many delivery drivers on the street, there’s a real concern over increased traffic problems and even accident risks.

Uber Eats Insurance Policy In Accidents

When Uber Eats drivers cause accidents, it’s fair to ask who will face the consequences for damages and injuries. Is it the driver alone or can the Uber Eats Company be liable? As you can imagine, a nationwide corporation like Uber will do everything it can to stay out of lawsuits over accidents and injuries.  They employ lawyers and insurance agents to help shed blame after a collision.

Uber Eats drivers are required to carry their own personal auto insurance. If a driver is off the clock then any car accidents would involve their own policy. Most personal policies won’t cover the driver when they are on the clock for their delivery company unless they have signed up for commercial driver coverage.

Uber Eats provides drivers with insurance coverage in the case of accidents but only for certain times of the workday. The coverage extends from the time an order comes in and is accepted to the moment the food has been delivered.  Uber Eats maintains a one million dollar third party supplemental insurance policy.

If you are in an accident that involves an employee for Uber Eats, it’s a good idea to talk to an experienced attorney about your case.  You could be forfeiting compensation if you depend on Uber Eats to handle your claim for help with hospital bills and other expenses fairly. Their lawyers may claim Uber Eats isn’t responsible in any way, but that may not be true. A Spokane attorney with CCD Law can help you determine all the parties who may be held accountable in your accident.

Uber Eats and the Threat of Distracted Driving

The online food ordering industry launches fleets of vehicles onto local roads anytime customers are hungry.  The extra vehicles only add to rush hour traffic, but the other drawback is that these drivers are bound to be more distracted than most any other motorist. They are on-the-clock every time they get behind the wheel and a distracted driver is a proven hazard for anyone else on the road.

The deadly consequences are seen every year and they involve all types of drivers.  In 2018, 2,841 people were killed in distracted driving accidents. Over seven years the total number of fatalities has reached 23,000 victims. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that distracted driving was involved in around 9% of all fatal crashes across the country over that seven-year period.

Delivery drivers face many of the stresses we all face on the job, but the difference is they are dealing with work stress while at the wheel. And their jobs involve their smartphones, the biggest distractions of all.  Here are just a few of the distractions drivers may face daily:

  • “Deadheading” This is the term for traveling aimlessly while waiting on the next customer. The driver may be circling a certain area of the city in hopes of being closer to potential customers when they dial up an order.
  • Accepting Orders. Each order is different and the pickier the eater the more complex the instructions. Drivers may read over these app instructions while on the road. Then they may have to dial up the locations of the food and the customer’s home or business.  All reason for inattention to what’s happening on the road.
  • The rush to make deadlines for delivery and make sure the food doesn’t get cold. Speeding and distracted driving are a frightning mix on the road.
  • Drug or Alcohol use. Uber Eats has a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol consumption, but delivery drivers have been charged with DUI before. In fact, any person working a delivery job is under stricter guidelines than most other drivers. A normal driver must keep their blood alcohol content (BAC) under.08% but a delivery driver must generally stay under .04% BAC to be legal behind the wheel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I’m in an accident with a Uber Eats car?

Once your safety is secure, you’ll want to collect as many details as possible from the scene.  Give a full report on the accident to police officers. Take photos of the scene from every angle, capturing images of the damage and lanes and any street signs nearby.  Get information from the driver and document any work identification they have. Do not make a statement on the accident to the driver or any Uber Eats representative who may call later. Get contact information from any witnesses. Also, see your personal doctor and get all injuries documented.

How long do I have to file a claim against Uber Eats?

An accident victim in Washington generally has up to three years after an incident to file a claim for damages against at-fault drivers and the company they drive for. This civil lawsuit should be filed as soon as possible because the more time that passes, the more difficult it will be to collect evidence and documents needed to build your case against Uber Eats. Having a local attorney on your side to help gather these details can make a big difference in your chances for success.

What kind of financial losses can I get compensation for?

If you win your case you’ll be compensated for many of the damages you’ve suffered in the wake of the accident. You’ll receive money for the medical bills you’ve received and any medical treatment expected in the future. Your lost paychecks from missed time at work can be reimbursed. The emotional and physical pain you’ve endured can also be compensated.

Contact a Spokane Delivery Driver Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by an Uber Eats driver you’ll want to make sure your entire recovery is paid for by the responsible party.  Companies like Uber Eats will have a team of lawyers who will be trying to dismiss or weaken your case so the company doesn’t have to pay for their driver’s mistake. A local attorney on your side can make sure your injury claim is taken seriously and that you receive the most compensation possible.

Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary & Domanico, P.S. is committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation. If our Spokane Car Accident Lawyers represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.

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