What Happens When a Door Dasher Hits Me in North Carolina?

Generally, if a driver is on the DoorDash app, there is an exclusion in their personal policy, and they would then be covered by DoorDash. If the driver is not actively working, their own insurance is responsible.

Because of these unique considerations, car accident claims involving a DoorDash driver can be notably different from most other cases. Understanding the unique legal circumstances related to these types of crashes can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.

How Common Are DoorDash Accidents in North Carolina?

There is no public database that tracks delivery driver accidents in North Carolina. Still, the rise of these food delivery services has had a clear impact on traffic in our state, and more traffic means a higher risk of accidents.

In a recent year, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reported 44,128 accidents involving distracted driving, with 18,552 injuries and 157 deaths resulting from those accidents. Knowing that DoorDash drivers are under pressure to deliver quickly or suffer bad ratings and poor tips, and that they navigate unfamiliar areas using a distracting GPS as more orders are coming in, it’s easy to see how delivery driver accidents may be contributing to these distracted driving statistics.

On top of this, these workers are considered independent contractors, which means they don’t have set schedules or mandated hours. Drivers can work up to 12 consecutive hours before the DoorDash app deactivates for a six-hour period to ensure they take a break. Working 12 straight hours behind the wheel can lead to exhausted, drowsy drivers and potentially serious accidents.

What Are the Causes of North Carolina DoorDash Accidents?

There are many reasons why delivery driver accidents might occur.

Some of the most common causes of DoorDash accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Rushing to deliver quickly
• Inexperienced drivers
• Dangerous parking
• Poor vehicle maintenance

A delivery job that depends on tips from timely service and has very little oversight from the employer can easily lead to accidents when the driver is not careful. Establishing liability in these cases can require the help of a car accident attorney who’s familiar with these relatively new types of personal injury cases.

What Injuries Occur Most Often in DoorDash Accidents?

DoorDash accident injuries don’t differ too much from typical car accident injuries.

The most common DoorDash accident injuries include:

• Soft tissue injuries and whiplash
• Back and neck injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations and bruises
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Whether the injuries are considered minor or they’re severe, they can disrupt your life and cause significant financial distress. You should never be left to deal with the fallout on your own. An experienced car accident attorney can help you hold the negligent party accountable.

Does DoorDash Provide Drivers with Insurance?

One of the things that makes DoorDash delivery driver accidents uniquely challenging is how auto insurance applies to them. The insurance policy that applies in an accident depends on whether the driver was off-duty, on-duty, or between deliveries. Here’s how it works:

• Off-Duty – If the driver is logged out of the DoorDash app at the time of the accident, their personal auto insurance is responsible for any accident they cause.
• On-Duty – If the driver is logged into the app and either on their way to pick up food for a delivery or actively delivering, DoorDash’s third-party liability coverage would apply.
• Between Deliveries – If the driver is logged into the app but not currently involved in any deliveries, any potential compensation for car accidents they cause comes from their personal auto insurance.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Door Dasher Accident in North Carolina?

Liability in a DoorDash car accident claim can fall on multiple parties, including:

• The DoorDash Driver – If the driver was negligent or reckless (e.g., speeding, running a red light, texting while driving), then they may be responsible for the car crash.
• DoorDash – Although their drivers are considered independent contractors, DoorDash may bear some responsibility in a car accident claim when the driver was actively delivering at the time of the collision.
• Other Drivers – If the accident involved multiple vehicles, liability may fall on more than one party, including other negligent drivers.
• Vehicle Owners – If the DoorDash driver was using someone else’s car, the vehicle owner’s insurer may be responsible for compensation.

What Evidence Can Help Determine Who Was At Fault for the Accident?

Proving that the DoorDash driver was responsible for the accident requires strong evidence.

Typically, your car accident lawyer will seek the following evidence when building your case:

• Police reports
• Dashcam or traffic camera footage
• Photos and videos of the accident scene
• Witness testimony
• Driver app data
• Cell phone records

Proving that the driver caused the accident is only part of building your car accident lawsuit. You must also prove that the accident caused your injuries and show how those injuries have impacted you physically, emotionally, and financially. You can prove these injuries and losses with medical records, financial records, invoices, receipts, evidence of lost wages, and pain journals.

What Compensation Might Be Available in a DoorDash Accident Case?

North Carolina delivery driver accident victims may be entitled to several forms of compensation, including:

• Medical Bills – Ambulance services, ER visits, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, medical devices, prescription medication, physical therapy and rehabilitation, future treatment, and other medical expenses.
• Lost Wages – Hourly wages or salary, tips and commissions, missed raises or promotions, sick days and vacation time, medical benefits, diminished earning capacity, and future lost wages related to your injuries.
• Property Damage – The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident, as well as compensation for the diminished resale value of your vehicle.
• Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional trauma caused by the accident and your injuries.

Contact a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a negligent DoorDash driver, you need an experienced car accident attorney to protect your rights. The team at The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., has been serving North Carolina for three generations. Our reputation is backed by the millions we’ve recovered on behalf of our clients, who have shared their satisfaction in many testimonials.

We’ll be your fiercest advocates as you seek justice and fair compensation. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Visit Our North Carolina Car Accident Law Offices

Robert Warlick

Robert “Bob” Warlick was born and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He graduated from Jacksonville High School and attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Campbell Law School, where he was awarded his Juris Doctorate. Bob has been practicing law in Jacksonville since 1997 with extensive experience litigating claims involving motor vehicle accidents resulting in serious personal injury or death. He has also litigated numerous cases involving complex insurance coverage issues and first-party bad faith insurance claims.