Hunter & Cassidy Law

Who pays when a delivery driver causes a crash?

On Behalf of | Jan 25, 2023 | Motor vehicle accidents

Delivery fleets are much bigger than they were even a few years ago. The average American household receives far more packages now than in years past, thanks in no small part to the rise of online shopping. People buy everything from their groceries to their wardrobes online, resulting in huge delivery fleets for the largest package delivery companies and even proprietary delivery fleets working for large retailers and popular restaurants.

The surge in demand for delivery services has been a boon for those looking for a second job or a way to control their personal income stream. People can work part-time as delivery drivers or take a new position where they work several long shifts a week delivering hundreds of packages.

Unfortunately, more delivery vehicles on the street have also led to more crashes. Delivery drivers may perform unpredictable maneuvers and park in very unsafe locations. What protection do you have after a collision involving a delivery vehicle?

There should be some kind of insurance available

The type of delivery vehicle that you encounter and the situation that led to the crash will influence what kind of insurance options you have. Maybe you encounter someone who uses their vehicle for delivery services and rideshare purposes. If they are not actively transporting a passenger, it may be their individual car insurance policy that will pay your claim.

Other times, it may be the rideshare company or delivery service company that provides the insurance coverage. When the vehicle is part of a corporate fleet, you can then assume that there will be a commercial liability policy covering that vehicle.

Sometimes, lawsuits are possible too

There are many scenarios in which you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against either a driver or their employer. When a driver does something negligent or illegal at work, they could be liable for your injuries. Sometimes, when company policy is what contributed to your injuries, such as ridiculously long days or poor fleet maintenance, you may have grounds to bring a lawsuit against the employer, not the driver who caused the crash.

Accessing a commercial insurance policy and pursuing a lawsuit may both be necessary if you suffer severe injuries in a crash caused by a delivery driver.