The 21st century has brought many significant innovations into people’s lives. One of the most convenient is food delivery service. Today, if people get a craving, they can get almost anything they want delivered directly to their door. Unfortunately, the increase in the demand for delivered food has also brought about an increase in the number of food delivery trucks on the roads of Western Pennsylvania and Indiana. Occasionally, those trucks cause motor vehicle collisions.
If you recently suffered harm in a crash involving a food service delivery vehicle, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. A knowledgeable Western PA Uber Eats accident lawyer could advise you on your next steps.
Many causes can contribute to a food delivery vehicle crash, including:
Many collisions occur due to simple mistakes by motor vehicle operators. Uber Eats drivers are paid by the delivery. Because of this compensation method, drivers might be tempted to rush to complete deliveries quickly, or to take a large number of orders to maximize his or her income. Drivers spend long hours on the road to increase their paychecks. However, so many hours on the road can lead to drowsy driving, which increases the likelihood of a wreck. In addition, delivery drivers often must rely on their GPS for directions, which can cause them to become distracted from their driving responsibilities. In a rush to get to their delivery destinations, drivers might also engage in reckless driving activities. They might be more prone to running lights, speeding, tailgating, making unsafe lane changes, or illegal passing.
Driver inexperience also leads to collisions. Uber Eats usually only requires drivers to have their driver’s licenses for one year. Inexperienced drivers often lack the skills necessary to react appropriately in all situations, leading to other people’s harm.
Uber Eats requires its drivers to maintain their cars and trucks so they are always in safe driving conditions. As part of that requirement, drivers must register their vehicles and regularly inspect them. When not properly maintained, worn down brakes, broken turn signals, bald tires, broken tail lights, or other mechanical problems can increase the likelihood of a problem.
A seasoned Western PA Uber Eats collision attorney could carefully scrutinize the evidence from an accident to determine what actually happened. The attorney could gather proof of causation and identify if anyone else bears civil liability.
Depending on the type of insurance coverage available, an injured individual might be able to look to the at-fault driver. An injured claimant might be able to sue the driver in an individual capacity, or even collect some damages or benefits under the driver’s insurance policy.
Under Pennsylvania law, employers are responsible for their employee’s negligent actions or inactions. However, that law does not usually cover Uber Eats drivers because they are considered to be independent contractors and not employees. If an accident victim could prove that Uber Eats somehow retained a high level of control over the driver’s work, such as by setting the hours or delivery routes, a court might deem the driver to be an employee.
Uber Eats company insurance covers accidents in certain but not all situations. Thus, it is critical that a victim discusses his accident in detail with an informed Uber Eats crash lawyer in Western PA to learn whether he might be eligible to recover benefits directly from Uber Eats.
After a serious car crash, it is not always easy to know what to do next. Your first concern should be to take care of your immediate medical needs.
You should also consider reviewing the facts of your case with a Western PA Uber Eats accident lawyer. Our team of experienced legal professionals at Marcus & Mack understand how to help and know what it takes to prevail in cases with delivery service vehicles. These cases are often more complex than other accidents. A skilled attorney could make a significant difference in your pursuit of financial recovery. Schedule a free consultation with our legal team today.
Marcus & Mack
