Driving for a living or as a part of a job has been a major part of our society for many years. We have cab drivers, valets, delivery drivers, etc. And after a pandemic, our society saw a rise in delivery services, as well as an increase in rideshare. This means that there are so many ways you can work if you have a vehicle. This also means there are some different laws and insurance aspects that you will deal with.
We have a list of what you should be aware of when driving for work.
Increased Risk Exposure
As a delivery or rideshare driver, you are going to be spending more time on the road than others. Also, many of these jobs mean that you are driving in more dangerous settings. Many people don’t want to drive in the snow, so they will purchase food to be delivered during a storm. Or many people request Ubers at night after a party. Even when driving around, you will most likely get caught in traffic. Because of this, you are increasing your chances of an accident or collision.
Common Types of Accidents
The most common accidents that occur during delivery and rideshare jobs include rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, and sideswiped. This is because these delivery drivers are making frequent stops and pulling off to the side of the road, as well as being stuck in traffic. If you are working as a driver, it might be beneficial for you to install a dashcam. The footage can be used as evidence if you get into an accident.
Unique Liability Issues
Although you are working for a company, with the set up of companies like Uber and Doordash, you are not eligible for worker’s comp or wage loss from the company. There is also an added challange of dealing with insurance because you are working for a company that has insurance, but the vehicle is under your personal car and health insurance.
Insurance Challenges
There also might be some gaps in insurance for delivery and rideshare drivers. This is because some personal insurance may not cover your accident if you were commercial driving. Uber has a contingent liability coverage for these gap situations. This means that if your insurance won’t cover the accident, but you were logged in to Uber at the time of the accident, even if you have not accepted a job yet, then you will still be covered by Uber’s insurance. There are some stipulations to this, so make sure that you do your research about insurance coverage. Other delivery or driving companies might have rules for this as well, so make sure that you look into their insurance policies and laws. You can also get supplemental insurance for yourself, if you wan to make sure you ae always covered.
Legal Considerations
After your accident, you should document the scene, damages, and injuries. Then you should report the accident to the company you are driving for and your insurance, and immediately get medical care. Then you should consider if you need an attorney. Since it can be difficult to navigate having a case with personal, defendant, and company insurances, an experienced attorney can be the best help for you.
Impact on Livelihood
These sorts of accidents can be really stressful on those who drive for a living. First, if you are injured in a collision, you might not be able to work, which means there could be wage loss. Because of these positions, you will not get compensation or paid leave from your job. It will also be hard to return to work afterwards because of your injuries. And since you use your vehicle for work, you need to have one, which means getting your car fixed or replaced is a top priority. This can be very stressful if you do not have an attorney on your side. If you do have an attorney, they can help you compile information to have your insurance include your wage loss and get your car fixed quickly.
Platform Responsibilities
Delivery and rideshare companies require their drivers to have their own personal insurance. Uber’s insurance will kick in at different points. If you are logged-in, but you don’t have a passenger, then they will pay $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. If you have a passenger or are heading to pick someone up, then there is $1 million in liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. Doordash will cover $1 million in damages if the driver is actively in the process of picking up and delivering an order. It is important to consider that Uber and Doordash classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This means that liability and insurance coverage might not cover everything. Drivers are usually required to report the accident on their own insurance, and to receive compensation, there must be proof that the driver working was not at fault.
When want you to be safe and aware of what you should do after an accident. When you start working for a driving company, make sure that you understand what will be covered and what won’t.
As you are working and driving, it is important to stay safe, but also be aware of what comes from working in a delivery or ride share company.
Contact a Trusted Utah Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have questions about working with a personal injury attorney, or if you’re ready to move forward with your claim, don’t wait to seek legal advice.
The experienced Utah personal injury lawyers at Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks are here to help you understand your options and guide you through every step of the process. Call (801) 500-4000 today for a free consultation, and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
