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Baltimore Instacart Accident Lawyers
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Instacart Delivery Accidents In Baltimore City
Instacart is a popular grocery delivery app that helps you shop for food in the comfort of your own home. Instacart has been increasing in popularity, but the coronavirus pandemic has expedited the usage of Instacart with a 300% growth from 2019. The company is one of the largest and widely available grocery delivery services in the country, with the delivery app partnering with stores like Costco and Walmart.
According to recent research done by Coresight, more than 36% of adults polled in 2019 purchased groceries online within the past 12 months. Based on data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, there were a total of 93 million online grocery shoppers, which is a large increase compared to the year before, where the total number of online grocery shoppers was 35 million.
Instacart and other grocery delivery services are very popular in major cities like Baltimore. But as the number of food and grocery delivery vehicles in Baltimore increases, so does the likelihood of delivery driver accidents. If you’ve been involved in a collision with an Instacart driver, speak with our qualified Baltimore Instacart accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
Instacart Accident Insurance
Many drivers sign up and agree to the Instacart Independent Contractor contract without fully understanding accident coverage. As a result, drivers may not be aware that Instacart does not provide coverage for their drivers in the case of an accident. As part of the contract, drivers are agreeing that they are, “in lawful possession of all equipment, insurance, and licenses necessary to perform the shopping and/or delivery services.”
Instacart does not provide insurance to cover its contracted delivery drivers while on the job, unlike other delivery services like Postmates. Rather, the company includes in its contracts with employees a condition that the driver must maintain valid coverage in accordance with Maryland’s auto insurance requirements. This leaves a lot of Instacart drivers responsible for car repairs, medical bills, and other losses. Their insurance likely won’t cover the accident and neither will Instacart. Without insurance, the driver may be personally liable for damages. Unfortunately, in the event of an accident, Instacart does its best to focus blame on their drivers. The company’s goal is to avoid liability in any collision involving their personal shoppers.
Instacart Auto Insurance Requirements
When using personal passenger vehicles to deliver groceries for Instacart, drivers do not need additional coverage or a commercial insurance policy. Rather, the drivers are only required to carry the mandatory minimum auto insurance in Maryland. All Maryland vehicles MUST be insured at ALL times by a vehicle insurance company licensed in Maryland. Vehicle insurance must cover, at a minimum:
- $30,000 for bodily injury
- $60,000 for 2 or more people
- $15,000 property damage
Additional insurance policies may cover Instacart and other delivery drivers while on the job. Some private policies may include exclusions for accidents occurring while using private vehicles for business purposes, such as delivering groceries. Should the private insurance policies not cover on-the-job crashes, and without supplemental coverage from Instacart, delivery drivers may bear full financial liability for accident-associated damages.
Filing an Instacart Accident Claim
Car accidents in Baltimore City happen every day and for a variety of different reasons. However, Instacart and other delivery drivers are proven to be at a higher risk for causing accidents due to the nature of their work. Food delivery drivers are often distracted while trying to navigate their delivery routes on their phones or GPS systems, especially when in an unfamiliar part of town. As a result, Instacart drivers are frequently distracted by being on their phones to check order details. Taking their eyes off the road with these actions increases their risk of causing an accident.
Due to Instacart drivers being paid per order, it’s common for them to be found speeding or driving erratically in an attempt to complete as many deliveries as possible. Instacart drivers may engage in dangerous and aggressive driving behaviors to make their deliveries on time, including some of the following:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Unsafely switching lanes without turn signals
- Driving while under the influence
- Reckless driving
- Make deliveries while tired
- Distracted driving
Unfortunately, food delivery accident claims can become very complicated, especially when some companies, like Instacart, deny that their drivers are employees, instead they claim them to be independent contractors. In most cases, employers are not held liable for the negligent conduct of independent contractors. However, an experienced Baltimore Instacart accident lawyer can help you maximize your potential accident settlement.
Available Damages For An Instacart Accident
If you were involved in an Instacart accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Motor vehicle accidents often result in property damage to the vehicle and injuries ranging from moderate to severe and can require costly medical care. Without holding the at-fault party accountable, you will be forced to pay for medical and other expenses associated with the crash. At Hyatt & Goldbloom, we make sure negligent drivers are held responsible for their dangerous actions. We understand that the aftermath of a grocery delivery accident can be stressful, painful, and challenging for both you and your family. Our qualified Maryland Instacart accident attorneys are ready and able to fight for you. Some of the types of compensation you can secure for your losses after a delivery driver accident include:
- Emotional Distress
- Lost Wages
- Property Loss
- Medical Bills
- Loss of Consortium
- Past, Current, and Future Medical Bills
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Past and Future Income
- Loss of Earning Capacity
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
The Difficulties Created by Instacart’s Lack of Insurance
There are many challenges when pursuing legal action against Instacart after being involved in a car accident with one of their drivers. This is due to the fact that Instacart does not provide Instacart driver insurance coverage. Since delivery drivers are considered independent contractors, they are not offered benefits. Unlike other delivery services that do offer insurance to their drivers like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Without commercial insurance from their employers, Instacart delivery drivers are left depending on their own personal auto insurance policies in case of car accidents. This also means that if you are involved in an accident with an Instacart driver, more often than not, you will be required to work with their personal insurance, rather than Instacart. Instacart often denies liability when injured drivers and third parties attempt to file accident claims to be compensated. However, filing a claim against Instacart after an accident is not impossible. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by an Instacart driver, you may be able to hold Instacart accountable. Your best option is to speak with our skilled Baltimore Instacart accident attorney who has experience representing delivery driver accident victims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Sue If An Instacart Driver For Injuring Me?
Yes, you can sue an Instacart driver similar to how you would sue any other motorist who caused an accident. All drivers on the road have the obligation to take care to protect other people on the road, and negligence can be used as grounds for a lawsuit. You can file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company. It’s important to note that if the at-fault motorist did not notify their insurance company that they were delivering for Instacart at the time of the accident, you should contact our Baltimore Instacart accident lawyer right away.
Can I Sue Instacart For An Accident?
Yes, you can sue Instacart for an accident, but only if the driver was wrongfully hired by Instacart exposing negligence on their hiring process. For example, if the Instacart driver does not have any valid insurance and cannot pay for your damages, you could target the company. Instacart is required to vet its drivers and ensure that they meet basic requirements. Similarly, if the driver has a history of reckless or negligent driving, such as a suspended license, Instacart may be liable for hiring a dangerous driver.
How Much Is An Instacart Accident Lawsuit Worth?
The value of your Instacart accident will ultimately be determined by the injuries that you sustained and the impact those injuries have had on your current and future lifestyle. If your injuries have caused you to miss work or prevent you from doing your job, you could have an increased settlement offer. Furthermore, if your life is permanently altered because of the accident, you can expect a much higher settlement.
The insurance agent in charge of your accident claim will often attempt to deny your claim or offer an initial low settlement offer. This is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to have a skilled Baltimore Instacart accident attorney representing your case. Although there is no specific number that can be given for your potential compensation, our personal injury team will be able to access your accident and provide a general estimation of the worth of your claim.
Contact A Baltimore Instacart Lawyer Today
It’s common to be confused about the next steps following an accident with an Instacart driver. You can rest assured knowing that our Baltimore Instacart accident lawyer will seek every opportunity to maximize your claim. Although monetary compensation can’t reverse your injuries or take back the trauma that was caused, our attorneys understand that the compensation you recover will help relieve the financial burden caused by your accident. If you are ready to be compensated for your Instacart accident, call Hyatt & Goldbloom today for a free consultation.