We Fight for the Rights of Personal Injury and Accident Victims
Our goal is to make sure you get the justice you deserve and are fully compensated for your harms and losses
Uber Eats and DoorDash Car Accidents
If you have been hurt in an accident with an UberEats or DoorDash driver, Attorney Tracy Paulsen is a Massachusetts car crash lawyer who can help.
Every day, residents of Bristol County, Norfolk County, the Boston area, and other areas of Massachusetts rely on Uber Eats and DoorDash to deliver food, groceries, and other items. Unfortunately, accidents caused by DoorDash and Uber Eats drivers can be surprisingly common and very complex.
Personal Injury Lawyer Tracy Paulsen is the managing attorney of Rightful Legal. She has over 15 years of experience in representing those who have been injured by the negligence of others. She knows how powerless you may feel after being struck by a car involved in a DoorDash or Uber Eats delivery and how confusing it can be to determine who should compensate you for your injuries and other losses.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by an Uber Eats or DoorDash delivery driver in Massachusetts, contact Attorney Tracy Paulsen today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Attorney Paulsen handles these cases all too often and is skilled at determining which insurance policies provide coverage for their injuries, investigating their accidents, and pursuing full and fair compensation for you.
Have You Been Hurt by an Uber Eats or Door Dash Driver?
Contact Rightful Legal Today
Call / Text 617-821-5856
OR
Who Pays for Uber Eats and DoorDash Accidents?
If you have been injured in an accident caused by an Uber Eats or DoorDash driver in Massachusetts, you should seek the counsel of a skilled personal injury attorney to assist you with your case. Food delivery app car crashes are complex, because many different insurance policies and responsible parties may come into play depending on the circumstances of your particular accident.
In a common multi-car collision, such as a rear-end car accident, caused by a DoorDash driver, multiple insurance policies may come into play at the same time. These can include:
- the Uber Eats or DoorDash delivery driver’s personal auto policy,
- Uber Eats’ or DoorDash’s commercial insurance coverage, and
- the personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in your personal insurance policy.
Sorting out which insurer is responsible, how much each policy must contribute to pay for your damages, and the order in which multiple coverages apply can be extremely complex. An attorney like Tracy Paulsen, who regularly handles DoorDash and Uber Eats accident cases and understands how to work through complicated insurance disputes, can provide the guidance and legal advocacy you need to receive the maximum available compensation.
Further complicating matters, companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats treat their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This means that these corporations are not directly liable for a driver’s negligence that leads to an accident. However, they may still be held responsible for their own negligence, such as incentivizing dangerous driving through their apps, failing to adequately screen delivery drivers, or supplying drivers with apps or equipment that is defective.
Who Is Responsible for Compensating You Depends on the Stage of the Delivery
Many Uber Eats accident victims are surprised to learn that insurance coverage for delivery drivers depends on whether the driver was using the app and what stage of the delivery process they were in at the time of the crash.
When a delivery driver is not logged into the app, the delivery company (Uber Eats or DoorDash) does not provide any insurance coverage. In this situation, the delivery driver’s personal auto insurance is the only policy that applies. Food delivery platforms like DoorDash make it clear that vehicle damage and liability are the driver’s sole responsibility when the app is not in use. If you are involved in an accident with an Uber Eats driver who was not actively working or looking for deliveries, any personal injury claim will usually go through that driver’s personal automobile insurance carrier.
Once a driver logs into the app and is waiting for an order, a different type of coverage may apply. At this stage, limited contingent liability insurance is available through the delivery company. However, this coverage typically acts as backup and only applies if the driver’s personal insurance does not provide enough coverage to fully compensate you for your losses.
For DoorDash and Uber Eats, the highest level of insurance protection applies when a driver has accepted a delivery and is actively completing it. During this phase, these food delivery companies generally provide up to $1 million in liability coverage. This is the point at which the most robust insurance protection is in place for the injuries or damages a driver caused you during a delivery.
What Should You Do After a Crash with a DoorDash or Uber Eats Driver?
- First and foremost, ensure your own safety. Call 911 to report the accident.
- If your injuries allow, it is important that you try to preserve important details before leaving the scene of the crash. The information you gather can play a critical role in any insurance or injury claim that follows.
- Use your phone to video the scene, making sure you capture damage to all vehicles, debris or skid marks on the road, and the area surrounding the crash. Be sure to exchange information with the delivery app driver, including their name, contact details, and insurance provider. Ask and make a note of whether they were actively completing a delivery at the time of the collision.
- If there were any witnesses, obtain their names and contact information.
- Take a moment to record environmental details, such as weather, lighting, and road conditions.
- Finally, photograph any visible injuries as soon as possible, as this documentation can help support your claim later. Seek medical attention promptly after any car crash, as delaying care may harm both your health and any available personal injury claim.
What Is Personal Injury Protection or “PIP”?
In Massachusetts, every automobile insurance policy is required to include Personal Injury Protection, commonly referred to as “PIP.” PIP is a no-fault insurance benefit designed to provide immediate financial assistance after a car accident, regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage can be especially important in Uber Eats and DoorDash accident cases, where liability disputes and multiple insurance policies can significantly delay payment from the at-fault party.
Under Massachusetts law, PIP coverage typically pays up to $8,000 per person per accident for specific categories of losses. These benefits may include reasonable and necessary medical expenses, a portion of lost wages if you are unable to work due to your injuries, and certain replacement services, such as household help, if your injuries prevent you from performing daily tasks.
PIP coverage is generally the first source of payment after a motor vehicle accident. Medical bills are usually submitted to PIP before health insurance or liability insurance applies. If you have private health insurance, PIP may pay the first $2,000 of medical expenses, with health insurance covering the remainder up to the PIP limit. If you do not have health insurance, PIP may cover medical expenses up to the full $8,000 limit.
In food delivery app accident cases, determining which PIP policy applies can be complicated. Depending on the circumstances, PIP coverage may come from your own automobile insurance policy, the policy covering the vehicle you were occupying at the time of the crash, or another applicable policy under Massachusetts no-fault rules. If you were a pedestrian or cyclist struck by an Uber Eats or DoorDash driver, PIP may still apply through a household policy or the driver’s policy.
PIP benefits are limited and do not cover pain and suffering or full lost wages. Once PIP benefits are exhausted or no longer available, an injury claim against the at-fault driver and applicable commercial insurance policies may be necessary to recover the full extent of your damages. Additionally, certain Uber Eats or DoorDash accident scenarios may fall outside traditional PIP eligibility, making early legal guidance critical.
Because PIP rules are technical and strict deadlines apply, speaking with an experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorney is essential. Attorney Tracy Paulsen and the team at Rightful Legal regularly assist clients with PIP applications, denials, coordination of benefits, and disputes with insurers to ensure injured victims receive every dollar of coverage available under the law.
Injured or Lost a Loved One in a DoorDash Accident?
Contact Rightful Legal NOW
Text or Call 617-821-5856
or
What if You Were Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
In addition to food delivery accident cases, Attorney Paulsen and her team at Rightful Legal are experienced in handling rideshare accident injuries, as well. If you were hurt in a car crash caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, or hurt as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, we are ready to Fight for Your Rights. Uber and Lyft accident cases have many of the same complexities and challenges as DoorDash and Uber Eats crash cases. You need a strong advocate in your corner to help you secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Why Pick Rightful Legal for Your Uber Eats or DoorDash Accident Case?
Were you injured in a car crash caused by a DoorDash or Uber Eats driver? Have you lost a family member in a food app delivery accident? You may have the right to seek financial recovery for the harm you have suffered.
Rightful Legal approaches every client’s unique case with personal attention and respect. Based in Attleboro, the firm serves clients throughout Bristol County, Plymouth County, Norfolk County, the greater Boston area, and communities across Massachusetts. Attorney Tracy Paulsen brings more than fifteen years of experience to every case. Her practice combines deep knowledge of Massachusetts personal injury law with a strong track record of challenging large insurance companies and corporations, allowing her to offer the individualized attention and service that many high-volume, national firms cannot match.
DoorDash and Uber Eats accident claims are often far more complex than typical car accident cases, particularly when multiple insurance policies and coverage tiers are involved. Insurers for DoorDash and Uber Eats may attempt to reduce their financial exposure by disputing the seriousness of your injuries, downplaying your family’s losses, or arguing that certain coverage does not apply in your case. Attorney Paulsen and her legal team work diligently to counter these strategies by preserving the relevant evidence, fully evaluating your damages, and identifying all available sources of insurance coverage. There are no upfront legal fees when you work with Rightful Legal. You pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Rightful Legal is dedicated to simplifying the food delivery app accident claims process as much as possible. Attorney Paulsen offers every potential client a free, confidential consultation to hear your delivery app accident story, discuss your legal options, and help you decide how to move forward with your DoorDash or Uber Eats accident claim.
Text or Call Rightful Legal Right Away at 617-821-5856 or contact our dedicated Massachusetts Uber Eats and DoorDash Accident Victim Attorneys Online Now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber Eats and DoorDash Car Accidents
Who is liable if a DoorDash or Uber Eats driver caused my accident?
Liability depends on whether the driver was logged into the app and actively completing a delivery. Depending on the delivery stage, compensation may come from the driver’s personal auto insurance, the delivery company’s commercial policy, or a combination of both.
Does Uber Eats or DoorDash automatically cover all accidents?
No. These companies only provide insurance coverage during specific stages of the delivery process. If the driver was not logged into the app, their personal insurance typically applies. Coverage increases once a delivery is accepted and actively underway.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may recover damages as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault, though your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
What damages can I recover after a food delivery accident?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and, in fatal cases, wrongful death damages.
How long do I have to file a claim in Massachusetts?
Most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident. However, insurance claims and PIP benefits have much shorter deadlines, making early legal advice important.
What if the delivery driver claims they were not working at the time?
Insurance disputes over delivery status are common. Attorney Tracy Paulsen investigates app data, delivery records, timestamps, and communications to determine whether commercial coverage applies.
Do I need a lawyer for an Uber Eats or DoorDash accident?
These cases are far more complex than standard car accidents due to layered insurance policies and corporate defenses. An experienced uber or lyft rideshare accident lawyer can identify all available coverage and protect you from insurer tactics.
