Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto represent DoorDash accident victims in Modesto. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a DoorDash driver in Modesto, our team of accident attorneys will help you get the compensation you need to fully recover from the damage done to your life. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Accident with a DoorDash Driver?
Getting into an accident with a DoorDash driver can be confusing because accident victims are often unsure of whom they can pursue compensation from. Depending on the circumstances, you can either file a claim against the driver’s insurance or against the DoorDash corporation. In some instances, a third party, such as another careless motorist may be liable in addition to the DoorDash driver.
Suing multiple parties can become complicated really quickly. For example, let’s say a driver pulls out onto I Street in downtown Modesto in front of a DoorDash driver. The DoorDash driver swerves into the other lane and sideswipes your vehicle, sending you over a curb and crashing into a building. The DoorDash driver says the other driver pulled out in front of them and made them swerve. The other driver says the DoorDash driver had to swerve because they were speeding. Both parties deny liability. What do you do?
In this incident, a personal injury attorney can file a lawsuit against both parties and hold them both responsible for your damages. This would be difficult for a person to manage without the legal expertise of an attorney. In addition to assigning liability, an attorney will sue both parties for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages
What If Multiple Vehicles Are at Fault in a DoorDash Accident in Modesto?
Multiple drivers may be “at fault” in your DoorDash accident. Even if you’re partially at fault, you are still entitled to recover damages because California is a pure comparative negligence state. Comparative negligence allows an injured party who shares fault for their injuries to still receive compensation. This is reflected in the Comparative Negligence Law:
“Under the pure comparative negligence rule, the state allows the plaintiff to claim damages for the 1% they are not at fault even when they are 99% at fault.”
A legal case known as Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975) is an example of when the Supreme Court of California ruled that injured drivers were still entitled to compensation, regardless of their role in the accident.
Pursuing a Claim Against DoorDash
If a DoorDash delivery driver causes an accident and you suffer injuries, the driver’s personal insurance coverage will provide some coverage for your damages. However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries or damage to your car, most basic insurance policies will not be able to cover all your medical costs and damage done to your property. However, if the DoorDash driver was delivering food at the time of the accident, then you’ll have access to DoorDash’s insurance policy, which covers up to or more than one million dollars. This is why the details of your accident matter when it comes to receiving compensation for your damages, especially when pursuing a claim against a corporation such as DoorDash. Certain circumstances can complicate a personal injury lawsuit against DoorDash. These circumstances include:
- There is a dispute or uncertainty about whether the driver was in the process of delivering food for DoorDash or not when the accident occurred
- The DoorDash driver did not have the legally required insurance coverage
- The DoorDash driver’s insurance policy excludes commercial activities such as working for DoorDash
What Should You Do After Getting in an Accident With a DoorDash Driver in Modesto
An accident with another vehicle can be life-altering. Your next steps will be very important to your health and safety, as well as protecting your right to compensation. We recommend taking the following steps after an accident with a DoorDash driver:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor, they can manifest into something much worse weeks later. It is recommended to check in with a doctor to make sure you are okay.
- Call the Police: With minor accidents, some people would rather keep the police out of it and handle it themselves. This would not help your case, especially if the case comes down to your word over other drivers. A police officer will file an accident report, and may even assign blame based on their collision assessment. A police report is critical evidence in any claim and will play a key role in ensuring you are fully compensated.
- Do NOT admit fault: Even if you were at fault, you should not admit fault to anyone. Admitting fault without an investigation or legal representation can only hurt your case. It is best to allow the accident report to decide who is at fault and to rely on an attorney to dispute any unwarranted fault on your behalf.
- Gather Evidence: You should document the accident as thoroughly as possible. Take pictures of the damage to your car, the DoorDash vehicle, other vehicles involved in the accident, your injuries, skid marks on the road, and street signs or landmarks. Take a video of yourself recounting the accident while it is still fresh in your mind. And if there are any eyewitnesses, be sure to get their names and numbers as they can testify on your behalf, or provide a statement to corroborate your story.
- Collect Information: Exchange insurance information with the driver and be sure to get
- Their name
- Employee ID
- License plate
- Phone number
- Company contact information
What is the Typical Compensation for a DoorDash Accident in Modesto?
While DoorDash accidents vary on a case-by-case basis, certain factors will largely determine the amount of compensation you can receive. One factor is the size of the insurance policy you can file a claim against. The larger the insurance policy, the more you can potentially sue for. Another factor are damages. Damages can be calculated based on your economic damages and non-economic damages, which include:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Loss of income, as well as the reduction in your earning capacity you’ve suffered from your accident
- Cost of living with your injury, such as making your home disability accessible, purchasing a wheelchair or crutches, hiring a nurse or housekeeper
- Damage done to your property during the accident
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Stress and anxiety due to the nature of your accident
The more severe your damages are, the more your compensation you will typically receive. However, for a more specific amount, a California accident attorney can help you understand the value of your case.
Contact a DoorDash Accident Lawyer in Modesto
If you or a loved one has been injured in a DoorDash accident in Modesto, the Modesto accident attorneys are standing by to help. Even a minor accident can have a major impact on your health and finances over time. Time is limited with personal injury claims, so don’t wait until it’s too late to get the legal advice you need. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront costs for our legal services and we don’t get paid unless we win your case.