Arlington Food Delivery Accident Attorney

A woman is holding her neck after a car accident.

In Texas alone, food delivery services such as Uber Eats and GrubHub have already brought in more than 176.31 million dollars as of 2024. The mobile food service industry is booming in major cities such as Arlington, Texas, providing families with convenient ways to get their next meal from their favorite restaurant delivered directly to their door. 

However, with more and more food delivery drivers taking to the road, there has also been an increase in accidents associated with food delivery service drivers and vehicles. For individuals involved in an accident with a food delivery driver, understanding who is responsible for the accident can be a bit confusing. There are multiple parties involved when a food delivery driver is on the clock. For example, there is the driver and their insurance company, as well as the food delivery service company and their insurance company. Trying to seek compensation for these kinds of accidents can seem like an uphill battle, especially if you are unsure which entity to seek compensation from. 

The trusted Arlington food delivery accident attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. have helped countless victims claim the compensation they deserve to cover medical expenses and damages that are associated with their accident. Here is how our attorneys can help you claim the justice you deserve after a food delivery accident.

Understanding Food Delivery Accidents in Arlington, Texas

A luxury vehicle's damaged front end after a wreck

As can be seen from the massive amount of revenue that the food delivery service has ranked in, the popularity of these services has skyrocketed. This has also increased the demand for the amount of drivers needed to ensure that orders are fulfilled promptly.

Why Has Food Delivery Services Increased in Popularity?

After COVID-19, the way our society views eating out has completely changed. While some individuals still may prefer to venture out to restaurants to have their favorite meal, others enjoy being able to relax at home after a busy day and get their favorite meal delivered directly to them. Companies such as UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub have become easily recognizable names in the industry and have even gone as far as partnering with different restaurants, whether local or chains, to provide them with the ability to deliver their meals to families across the city of Arlington. These services are not only convenient, but they help increase the business of restaurants that would have otherwise gone under after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Issues With the Increased Food Delivery Drivers On the Road

Unfortunately, there is a correlation between the increase in food delivery drivers on the road and the rising amount of accidents happening on Arlington roadways. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal occupational injuries for driver/sales workers has crossed the 1,000 mark. Part of this was due to an increase in the number of delivery drivers on the road, as independent contractors, which food delivery service employees are considered, were responsible for 12% of this increase. 

Common Causes of Food Delivery Accidents

A car accident involving a silver SUV with a smashed in hood.

Several factors explain this rise in accidents caused by food delivery drivers. These factors include the following:

  • Speeding or Reckless Driving: Delivery drivers are often under a tight deadline to get the food to its destination. This sense of urgency only increases when the restaurant itself is busy or there is heavy traffic on the road that is slowing down the delivery time. This can lead to the delivery driver making reckless decisions, such as weaving in and out of traffic or speeding.
  • Distracted Driving: Many food delivery drivers are not as familiar with the roads around the area they are delivering to. This makes them reliant on GPS devices, their smartphone, or the delivery app. These electronics can easily pull a driver’s attention off the road, leading to an accident.
  • Driver Fatigue: Many food delivery drivers run long schedules which can lead to driver fatigue, creating impaired judgment and poor reaction times. Another factor that leads to fatigue is a lot of these drivers use this job as part of their supplemental income, meaning they have a full-time or another part-time job on top of working for these services. The amount of strain and mental exhaustion this adds can lead to these drivers feeling worn down and more apt to make rash decisions or fall asleep at the wheel.
  • Inadequate Training: Many food delivery companies employ drivers with minimal training or drivers who haven’t had their licenses for very long. This increases the likelihood of an accident, as inexperienced drivers are more apt to make mistakes while on the road. 

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Food Delivery Accident

If you have been involved in a food delivery accident, the aftermath can be stressful and confusing. Knowing how to react after an accident can ensure that you and other parties involved are not injured further while also preserving the evidence needed to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Here is what you need to do immediately after an accident.

Step 1: If You Are Able, Get Out of Harm’s Way

After the collision, you will want to make sure that both parties are out of harm’s way. The best way to do this is to pull onto the side of the road if you are able. If a vehicle is unable to move or the driver/passenger is too injured to move safely, do not attempt to do so. Instead, make sure you turn the vehicle’s hazard lights on to warn other drivers of the danger.

Step 2: Report the Accident

Next, you will want to call emergency services to report the accident. This will send out police officers to your location as well as give you the chance to request medical assistance for any individuals who may need it. When the police arrive, they will take statements from all drivers and parties involved. These statements are important for the accident report. The police will also gather observations and evidence of their own as to what happened in the accident.

Step 3: Collect Evidence

Make sure you are also keeping documentation and evidence from the scene of the accident. This includes gathering the following information:

  • Names of the drivers involved
  • License plate number of all vehicles involved
  • License information from all drivers involved
  • Insurance information of all drivers involved
  • Name of the food delivery company that the driver was working for, as well as the name and contact information of their direct supervisor
  • Name and contact information of any witnesses as well as a statement from them
  • Videos and photographs of the accident scene, including any debris left on the road
  • Videos and photographs of the damage to the vehicles
  • Recordings from dashcam footage if available
  • Photos of any visible injuries you have sustained

Step 4: Seek Out Medical Attention

Even if you do not feel like you got seriously injured in the accident, you will want to seek medical attention immediately following your accident. Sometimes, injuries such as traumatic brain injuries may be masked by adrenaline, making the symptoms delayed. Seeing a healthcare professional will ensure that these hidden injuries get the treatment they need while also making sure that you have proper documentation of the injuries themselves.

Step 5: Contact Your Insurance Company

You will need to report the accident to your insurance company to get some momentary relief. However, make sure you are not talking about whose fault the accident was and make sure you don’t give them a recorded statement. Make it clear that you are going to get a car accident attorney first before you go after the liable party. 

Step 6: Seek Out an Arlington Food Delivery Accident Attorney

Make sure you have a lawyer on your side, especially if you are planning on seeking out a claim. We recommend meeting with an attorney before you speak to the other party’s insurance company. The insurance company may try to trick you into admitting fault or that your injuries are not as severe as they truly are. Don’t let them intimidate you into accepting the bare minimum compensation and instead, contact Branch & Dhillon. 

How an Arlington Food Delivery Accident Lawyer Can Help

Law gavel on a stack of Dollar bills

The legal system in Texas can be full of red tape, especially when you are dealing with a food delivery accident claim as there can be multiple parties involved. Here is how a food delivery accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve:

They Can Launch a Thorough Investigation Into Your Accident

The food delivery accident attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. can conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident to determine the cause and who the liable party is. This involves gathering evidence about the accident, such as the official accident report, witness statements, and any photographs or footage of the accident.

Branch & Dhillon, P.C. Insight: Who Is Responsible for a Food Delivery Accident?

When it comes to liability for a food delivery accident, determining who is at fault can be tricky. It could be the driver, the company they work for, or even yourself if you are found to be negligent. 

Potentially, you could go after the food delivery company that the driver was working for, such as GrubHub, through the vicarious liability law. This is especially true if it can be proven that the delivery food company was negligent in their hiring or training of the employee.

Having a food delivery accident attorney on your side is your best chance to ensure that the accident itself has been fully investigated and that the right party is made to pay the compensation you deserve.

Building Your Case Against The Negligent Party

After the proper evidence has been gathered, our attorneys will build your case on your behalf. This is done by ensuring that all the proper documentation, such as medical records, bills, and proof of damages (such as loss of income) properly shows how the accident has affected you. Our aim is to show how the negligence of the driver or the food delivery company impacted your life by causing injuries and damages.

Negotiate With the Insurance Companies

As mentioned earlier, the insurance company will try to minimize the payout of the accident by bullying the injured party into claiming that their injuries were not that bad. Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side will ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible and show them that their bullying tactics will not be tolerated.

Represent You In Court

If a fair settlement cannot be reached outside of court, the attorneys at Branch & Dhillon are more than ready to bring your fight to the courtroom. Our experienced litigators will be your advocates, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you get the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Branch & Dhillon, P.C. for Your Case?

A gavel onto of a law book with a set of legal scales on a desk.

Branch & Dhillon, P.C. is proud to be Arlington, Texas’s trusted attorney for personal injury law. We have a wide range of experience, handling cases from food delivery accidents to dog bites. We understand the challenges our clients face immediately after an accident and that getting the compensation they deserve can help set them up for a successful recovery.

We take a personalized approach with every case. This means that we tailor our strategies to meet the facts of your case and the circumstances surrounding your accident. Whether this means we know that we can get your case settled outside of court or that we need to bring the battle in front of a judge, you can rest assured that our team will not back down until we get the result you deserve.

Contact Branch & Dhillon, P.C. today for more information on our food delivery accident attorney services or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to go over the facts of your case. Don’t allow your chance for proper compensation to drive by.

Food Delivery Accident FAQs:

What Should I Do If I’m Involved In a Food Delivery Accident in Arlington?

If you are in a food delivery accident in Arlington, Texas, you will want to take the following steps:

1. Move, if possible, vehicles and injured parties out of harm’s way
2. Call emergency services to report the accident and get medical attention for injured parties
3. Gather evidence
a. Names and contact information of the other drivers involved
b. License number and license plate numbers
c. Insurance information from all drivers involved
d. Name of the food delivery service that the driver represents
e. Witness names and contact information
f. Photos or videos of the accident/accident site
g. Photos and videos of the cars involved and the damages sustained to the vehicles
h. Photos of injuries you sustained
4. Seek out medical attention
5. Notify your insurance company of the accident
6. Contact a food delivery accident attorney

Can I Sue a Food Delivery Driver for an Accident?

Yes. If it can be shown that the food delivery driver was negligent and their negligence is what led to the accident, then you can seek a claim against them. Make sure you contact a trusted food delivery driver accident attorney to aid in getting the compensation you deserve from the liable party.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Food Delivery Accident?

The statute of limitations on filing a food delivery accident claim is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, you will want to act as soon as possible to ensure that the proper evidence is protected so that you can get the full compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Can I Receive From a Food Delivery Accident Claim?

Compensation is provided for both economic and non-economic losses after a food delivery accident. These include:

Economic Damages:

-Medical bills, both present and future
Lost wages
-Damaged personal property, such as damage to your car
-Past and future loss of earning capacity if you are unable to return to work

Non-economic Damages:

-Emotional anguish
-Pain and suffering
-Loss of enjoyment in activities
-Loss of consortium (in cases of wrongful death)