Filing a Claim After a DoorDash Driving Accident

filing a claim after a doordash driver accident

DoorDash accident claims are becoming more commonplace in courts across the country. As the use of food delivery apps increases, so do rates of car crashes involving these gig economy food couriers. Learn how liability is determined in DoorDash car accidents, explore key legal considerations, and get insight from the Jacob Emrani team on the steps to take to pursue compensation.

Understanding DoorDash Driver Accidents

Unlike a car crash between two private citizens, DoorDash driver accidents involve additional legal complexity due to the specific liability assumed by DoorDash itself. 

Let’s say you’re injured in a car crash with a DoorDash courier that wasn’t your fault. In California, which is an at-fault state, you would report the accident to law enforcement immediately. They’ll assess the situation, interview witnesses, and determine who is at fault for the crash. This information is compiled into a police report, which is essential for insurance claims and personal injury suits.

One key step in this situation is to speak with the Dasher and determine if they were actively on a delivery at the time of the crash. This impacts the liability and the type of compensation you may be able to receive.  

From here, you’ll keep track of all damages you incur, including economic damages (vehicle repairs, medical bills, lost wages) and intangible damages (pain and suffering). You must also report the accident to DoorDash via their customer service line, and do the same with your insurance provider.

Once all of this is completed, there are two things left to do: Focus on your recovery, and contact a personal injury lawyer. 

Identifying Potential Liable Parties

Does DoorDash cover accidents between Dashers and other drivers? It depends.

When you engage a personal injury lawyer and provide them with the witness names, police report, and other information you’ve collected, they’ll get to work determining liability for the accident. Dashers are independent contractors, not employees driving a company vehicle, so determining their liability after a car accident is less clear-cut. 

DoorDash offers a contingent liability policy to its drivers, covering up to $1 million in damages. However, this coverage is only in effect when the Dasher is actively on a delivery (the period between picking up an order from a business and dropping it off to the customer). If the accident occurs outside of this period, the driver is only covered by their standard auto insurance.

All of this assumes that the Dasher was considered at fault for the accident. If you were at fault (even partially), the outcome may be significantly different. Your personal injury lawyer can advise you on this.

Legal Considerations and Liability

Generally, determining liability in an accident with a DoorDash driver comes down to a few key factors:

  • Driver’s status: The driver’s status (i.e., whether or not they were on active delivery) is the main factor in determining whether you’re eligible to pursue damages from DoorDash itself, or only from the driver’s private insurance.
  • Fault: As with all lawsuits surrounding car accidents, determining who was at fault (or, in cases with multiple drivers, the percentage of fault each party carries) determines whose insurance or company is responsible for covering damages.
  • Severity of damages: As a no-fault party in an accident claim, the severity of your injuries, monetary damages, and intangible damages determines the extent of compensation you’re entitled to receive.

DoorDash’s Insurance Coverage and Policies

DoorDash offers some auto insurance coverage to its Dashers, but this policy comes with restrictions. DoorDash insurance claims are only covered by the DoorDash policy if the crash happens during the active delivery period. Crashes that occur during personal use or when the driver is en route to pick up an order aren’t covered.

Another consideration is that this policy is “excess coverage,” meaning it only applies after the driver’s personal insurance has been exhausted. If this excess coverage does kick in, it can only be used to pay for damages and personal injury to the other parties in the accident. It does not cover damages to the Dasher’s vehicle or any injuries they sustain. 

Proving Fault and Pursuing Compensation

As with all car accident cases, proving fault and pursuing compensation is a complex process that must be handled on a case-by-case basis. 

Ensure a positive outcome as a no-fault party in a DoorDash accident by:

  • Collecting as much information as possible at the scene.
  • Promptly contacting law enforcement, your insurance provider, and DoorDash.
  • Keeping detailed records of all expenses and damages you incur as a result of the accident.
  • Contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer, who will use this information to build a strong case establishing the Dasher as being at fault. 

If your accident occurred during the active delivery period, your lawyer can pursue the maximum possible compensation from DoorDash. If it occurs outside of this period, they’ll do everything possible to secure the maximum compensation from the driver and their private auto insurance policy. 

Contact the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani Today

If you’ve been the victim of a car crash involving a DoorDash delivery driver, you could potentially be entitled to compensation, depending on the specifics of the incident and the damages you incur. Make sure you’re pursuing the full extent of the compensation you deserve by working with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani have been helping clients navigate the car accident personal injury claim process for years. While the modern-day advent of DoorDash and other companies poses some legal complexities, we’ve ultimately had many successful cases of receiving compensation for our clients from these food delivery giants.

If you’ve been involved in a DoorDash driver accident, don’t wait. Call (888) 912-7115 to set up your no-cost case evaluation today!

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Los Angeles

serving southern california

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Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90015

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