Baltimore Delivery Accident Lawyers

Delivery Driver Accidents In Baltimore City

Delivery services like Amazon, Uber Eats, and DoorDash are becoming more and more popular and data suggests that this trend will continue. But as a result, more delivery vehicles that are on the road can lead to more accidents. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a delivery driver, you may have a case. Contacting an experienced Baltimore delivery driver accident lawyer who has experience with these types of cases can make the claims process smoother and maximize your potential compensation. No matter if you are the delivery driver or you were injured by an Amazon, Uber Eats, Postmates, or DoorDash, our personal injury team is here to help.

What Makes a Delivery Driver Accident Unique?  

Delivery driver accidents are unique because they aren’t as cut and dry as your typical car accident, there are usually many other variables involved. The specific circumstances of the accident most likely will dictate whose policy is primary. A good example is if an Uber Eats driver crashes into you, Uber may or may not be responsible for the accident. If the delivery driver was on a food delivery assignment at the time of the accident, then Uber’s liability policy would likely be primary. On the other hand, if the delivery driver had just finished a delivery and was returning home, the Uber policy likely would not apply. In these types of cases, it all depends on the specific scenario the delivery driver was in at the time of the accident. So whether the driver had accepted another delivery, was still in between calls, was headed home, etc. 

In most cases, delivery companies’ insurance policies only apply to third-party liability claims. Third-party liability accidents involve claims where the delivery driver was negligent and caused an accident with another vehicle. This means that a delivery driver can’t make an injury claim against the company because that would be considered a first-party claim. What makes this situation even more complex is that each delivery company has its own unique delivery driver insurance policy, so the type of delivery company will make a difference in how your claim is handled. An accident involving a DoorDash driver may have a completely different outcome than one involving an Uber Eats driver.

Delivery Drivers Insurance Coverage

The potential insurance coverage for delivery drivers will depend on which company the at-fault party was driving for at the time of the accident. Most of the time, the delivery company’s insurance policy will provide excess coverage only. This means that the delivery driver’s insurance would be the first to pay out your claim, keeping the delivery company separated from the incident. However, if your claim value exceeds the driver’s limits, then the delivery company’s policy could be activated to provide additional coverage and pay for the additional damage.

Amazon Insurance Coverage

Amazon delivery accidents are always a possibility, especially considering how many are on the road nowadays. That’s why it’s essential that drivers are covered and that Amazon offers additional coverage for serious incidents that would exceed individual coverage. This additional coverage from Amazon is for additional coverage to supplement the drivers’ policies due to the fact that personal auto insurance policies will not be in effect during commercial driving.

Amazon offers liability coverage for up to $1,000,000, which covers your own damages and the damages of any third party that was injured in the accident. This $1,000,000 policy also covers uninsured or underinsured motorists who are involved in the accident and don’t have the necessary insurance to pay for any damages. Not to mention, Amazon offers a $50,000 limit on collision and comprehensive coverage.

• Amazon Flex Delivery Auto Insurance (50k PD, 1mil liability & UM/UIM)
• Applies when picking up, delivering, or returning packages for Amazon

Uber Eats Insurance Coverage

Uber Eats insurance coverage is slightly different from DoorDash and Postmates. If the delivery driver shows available on the Uber Eats app, but has not started a delivery, Uber Eats will offer some liability coverage for accidents. The limits are $50,000 per individual and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and up to $25,000 for property damage. If the Uber Eats Accident occurs while the driver is on an active delivery, liability coverage will increase to $1,000,000. Uber Eats defines an active delivery as accepting a request and being on the way to pick up the food or being on the way to deliver it.

• Compared to other food delivery services, Uber Eats provides some of the best automobile insurance coverage. 
• If the Uber Eats delivery driver is “Offline” or the Driver app is off, then the driver’s personal policy and coverage will apply.
• If the Uber Eats driver is “Available” or waiting for a delivery request, Uber maintains liability insurance on the driver’s behalf. The following limits apply only if the driver’s personal policy does not apply:
  • $50,000 bodily injury per person
  • $100,000 bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 property damage per accident
• When the Uber Eats driver is en route to pick up a delivery or during trips, Uber maintains the following coverage:
  • $1 million third-party liability
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision
    • Up to actual cash value of the car with a $2,500 deductible (Effective 3/1/2021)
    • Certain vehicles offered through the Vehicle Marketplace are subject to a $1,000 deductible
• Unlike Uber rideshare drivers, Uber does not provide Uber Eats drivers Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist or Personal Injury Protection coverage.  
• The contingent comprehensive and collision coverage applies so long as the Uber Eat’s driver maintains comprehensive and collision coverage on her personal auto insurance policy. As of 2021, Uber increased its property damage deductible to $2,500. Uber does not provide rental coverage to delivery drivers. 
• Uber Eats drivers should expand their personal auto insurance to include rideshare and delivery coverage. While the additional rideshare and delivery coverage benefits vary between insurance companies, most will match the lower deductible on your personal policy if an accident occurs while picking up or delivering an order. 
• For Uber drivers and Uber Eats drivers, Uber offers Optional Injury Protection. Uber’s Optional Injury Protection provides benefits to Uber rideshare and delivery drivers if they are injured in a covered accident. Covered accidents include three scenarios:
  • While you’re online, including when you’re available for trip requests
  • While you’re en route to pick up a passenger or delivery
  • While you’re on a trip using the Driver app
• Uber’s Optional Injury Protection offers the following benefits if a rideshare or delivery driver is injured during a covered accident:
  • Accident medical expenses up to a maximum of $1,000,000 (no deductible or copay)
  • Temporary total disability up to a maximum of $500 a week
  • Continuous total disability up to a maximum of $500 a week
  • Accidental death up to a maximum of $50,000
  • Survivor benefits up to a maximum of $150,000
  • Accidental dismemberment up to a maximum of $200,000
• Unlike some delivery services, Uber charges rideshare and delivery drivers a premium for its Optional Injury Protection coverage. The Optional Injury Protection premium costs $0.0375/mile while on a covered trip. The premium is calculated based on the number of miles driven while with a rider on the way to drop off a delivery order. Uber automatically calculates the per-mile premium and deducts the costs from the driver’s earnings.