Food delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats let Atlanta residents enjoy meals from their favorite restaurants without leaving home. Similarly, services like Instacart and Amazon Flex let customers shop from home and have their groceries delivered. While these services are convenient, their popularity has contributed to a surge in collisions and injuries in the Atlanta region. People injured in food delivery accidents often have trouble identifying who is liable for their injuries so they can pursue full and fair compensation.
At Bayuk Pratt, we can guard your rights and handle your personal injury claim after a collision with a food delivery driver. Our Atlanta car accident attorneys used to work for two of the world’s elite insurance defense firms, giving us insider knowledge we can use to support your claim. We have recovered more than $300 million for our clients. Call now or complete our contact form to discuss your case and our background in a free consultation.
What Are Some of the Most Common Food Delivery Services in Atlanta?
Food delivery apps have changed how people stock their kitchens and consume their meals in Atlanta and throughout the country. However, as these services have grown, food delivery car accidents have also increased, leading to headaches for victims when sorting through issues like auto insurance liability coverage.
Some popular food and grocery delivery services in Atlanta include:
- Uber Eats
- DoorDash
- Grubhub
- Postmates
- Instacart
- Amazon Flex.
If a driver working for any of these companies injured you in a crash, you should call an Atlanta food delivery accident lawyer immediately to learn about the options available to you for seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
What Are the Main Causes of Atlanta Food Delivery Vehicle Accidents?
Most Atlanta food delivery vehicle accidents involve negligence by the delivery driver or another party.
Some examples of negligence that can cause a food delivery accident include:
- Speeding to meet deadlines — Rushing to meet tight deadlines can lead to speeding, which reduces drivers’ reaction times and increases the risk of a crash.
- Distracted driving — Delivery drivers frequently use GPS apps, check delivery updates, or communicate with customers while driving. When food delivery drivers take their eyes and attention off the road and surrounding traffic, crashes can readily occur.
- Fatigue — Many food delivery drivers work long hours or take multiple shifts to earn more money. Fatigue slows their reaction times and impairs their judgment. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving or driving while impaired by drugs.
- Traffic violations — Delivery drivers may ignore traffic laws by running red lights, making illegal turns, or failing to yield while rushing to deliver orders.
- Poor vehicle maintenance — Many food delivery drivers put a lot of wear and tear on their vehicles and skip maintenance. Worn brakes, bald tires, or faulty lights can lead to dangerous accidents.
- Inexperienced drivers — Some food delivery drivers lack experience navigating city streets or heavy traffic. Poor driving skills increase the chance of crashes.
- Weather and road conditions — Rain, potholes, and heavy traffic in Atlanta can create challenging driving conditions.
What Are Some Types of Food Delivery Vehicle Accidents?
Food delivery accidents in Atlanta come in many forms, but some common types include:
- Pedestrian accidents — Food delivery drivers in a rush may fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street or walking in parking lots, leading to collisions.
- Rear-end collisions — Delivery drivers often brake suddenly to check delivery instructions or stop for unexpected traffic. Tailgating or distracted driving increases their risk of rear-ending another vehicle.
- Intersection accidents — Delivery drivers may speed through yellow lights, make unsafe left turns, or fail to yield the right-of-way, resulting in dangerous intersection crashes.
- Bicycle accidents — In urban areas, Food delivery vehicles share the road with cyclists. Distracted or impatient drivers might sideswipe a cyclist or cut them off when turning.
- Side-swipe collisions — Delivery drivers may quickly change lanes without checking their blind spots, causing side-swipe accidents with nearby vehicles.
- Parking lot crashes — Food delivery drivers may maneuver quickly in parking lots to pick up or deliver food. Due to limited visibility and tight spaces, they may hit parked cars, other vehicles, or pedestrians.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Atlanta Food Delivery Accident?
Whether the delivery driver, their employer, or another party is liable for a food delivery accident depends on the circumstances of the crash.
Some potentially liable parties in food delivery accident cases include:
- Delivery driver — If the driver’s negligence caused a crash (for example, if they were speeding), they can be held responsible for the accident.
- Food delivery company — Most drivers for companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub are independent contractors, so the delivery companies are usually not liable for their actions. However, in some situations, the food delivery company could be liable. For example, they might share responsibility if the company failed to conduct proper background checks, allowed unqualified drivers to work, or ignored safety concerns. Additionally, if the company’s policies, like unrealistic delivery deadlines, encourage reckless driving, they could be partly liable for a collision.
- Other drivers — Another driver may be liable if their reckless behavior, such as speeding, tailgating, or running a red light, contributed to the crash.
- Restaurants or businesses — A restaurant or business that pressures drivers to meet unreasonable delivery times may share liability for a crash if their policies contribute to dangerous driving behavior.
- Vehicle manufacturers — The manufacturer may be liable if a mechanical defect in the delivery vehicle, such as faulty brakes or steering, caused or worsened a crash.
From Whom Can You Seek Compensation for a Food Delivery Accident?
You can seek compensation from anyone whose negligence caused or contributed to a food delivery accident, such as the delivery driver or the delivery company. In most cases, the delivery company’s insurance coverage exceeds that of an individual driver. However, companies like Uber and DoorDash provide insurance for their drivers, which applies only in certain circumstances. These companies also contest claims to protect their profits and reputation. With help from an experienced Atlanta food delivery accident lawyer, your compensation could include money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Damaged personal property.
How Long Do You Have to File a Food Delivery Accident Claim in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, you usually have two years from the date of a food delivery accident to file a lawsuit. Call a lawyer immediately to protect your rights and maximize your chances of a successful claim.
Contact an Atlanta Food Delivery Accident Lawyer
With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Bayuk Pratt can guard your rights and help you rebuild your life after a crash involving a food delivery driver. Call now or reach out online for a free case evaluation.