With increasing numbers of delivery drivers on Louisiana’s roads due to the prevalence of online shopping, meal orders, and the overall gig economy, the possibility of a car accident involving a delivery driver has increased correspondingly in recent years.
Accidents involving delivery drivers are still a grey area legally because employers often claim they are responsible for the driver only while the driver is still making the delivery. Different delivery companies may have varying policies regarding responsibility for their drivers, hiring practices, and other factors.
This means that if you’re involved in an accident with a delivery driver, and it’s the other party’s fault, you should seek the legal assistance of experienced personal injury lawyers such as RFA Law immediately.
Multiple parties may be at fault in your accident, which results in defendants and insurance companies trying to avoid responsibility. René Frederick & Associates can help you determine how best to pursue your claim if you are involved in an accident caused by a delivery driver.
More Deliveries, More Risk
Delivery drivers are often a greater road risk than regular drivers for several reasons. They are under pressure from their company, so they may speed to fulfill their duties within a certain timeframe. This can also cause them to employ unpredictable driving patterns and be less willing to come to a full stop at traffic lights or stop signs.
They may also be distracted by finding an address, using a navigation system or another device instead of focusing on the road. Many meal delivery accidents occur because the driver is under extra pressure to make the delivery quickly while the food is still warm.
But the driver may not be the only one at fault. If the company improperly vetted the driver, or if the company responsible for the driver is unclear, that organization may also be liable in delivery service accidents or other incidents involving delivery drivers.
For example, an incident in Covington in 2020 in which an elderly woman was killed in a crash caused by a Waitr driver has led to a recent charge of negligence on behalf of the company. The charge results from the finding that the driver had a former driving record the company should have been aware of.
This, like an increasing number of cases around the United States, requires a deeper examination of where a delivery service employer’s responsibility begins and ends. The employer may try to claim they are not liable for the accident if their goods are not in the vehicle at the time of the incident, attempting to shift blame to the driver.
Company policies suggesting the employer is not responsible once the driver has made the delivery are often in place to circumvent Louisiana laws requiring mandatory driver insurance.
Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a delivery driver in Covington, Mandeville, Baton Rouge, or New Orleans, get in touch with experienced personal injury lawyers in Louisiana. You may be entitled to compensation for injuries or other losses.
Our team is skilled in assisting victims of road accidents in filing legal claims and gaining compensation for their losses. We understand the challenging process and know how to help you, especially in cases involving multiple defendants, as is common in delivery lawsuits.
If you have been injured in an accident with a delivery driver, contact RFA Law for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.