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Contact our Glendale personal injury attorney at Klink Law, PLLC, for your free and confidential case evaluation following an injury to you or a family member.
Instacart Delivery Accident Lawyers In Phoenix
Instacart, a popular grocery delivery app, offers the convenience of shopping for food from the comfort of your own home. With its growing popularity, Instacart has experienced an impressive surge in usage, reaching a remarkable 300% increase since 2019. This surge has been further accelerated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. As one of the largest and most widely available grocery delivery services in the country, Instacart has established partnerships with renowned retailers such as Costco and Walmart.
According to recent research conducted by Coresight, a significant 36% of adults surveyed in 2019 reported purchasing groceries online within the past year. The U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that the number of online grocery shoppers has skyrocketed to an astonishing 93 million, marking a substantial increase compared to the previous year’s 35 million.
The popularity of Instacart and other grocery delivery services has soared, particularly in major cities like Phoenix. However, the rise in the number of food and grocery delivery vehicles also raises concerns about the risk of delivery driver accidents. If you have been involved in a collision with an Instacart driver, our qualified Phoenix Instacart accident lawyer is available for a free consultation.
Instacart Accident Insurance: What You Need To Know
Many drivers sign up and agree to the Instacart Independent Contractor contract without fully understanding the extent of accident coverage. Consequently, drivers may be unaware that Instacart does not provide coverage for them in the event of an accident. As per the contract, drivers are required to have all the necessary equipment, insurance, and licenses to perform shopping and delivery services.
Unlike other delivery services like Postmates, Instacart does not offer insurance to cover its contracted delivery drivers while they are on the job. Instead, the company includes a condition in its contracts with employees that requires drivers to maintain valid coverage by Arizona’s auto insurance requirements. This leaves many Instacart drivers responsible for car repairs, medical bills, and other losses. Unfortunately, their insurance is unlikely to cover the accident, and neither will Instacart. In the absence of insurance, drivers may be personally liable for damages. Regrettably, in the event of an accident, Instacart tends to shift blame onto their drivers. The company’s objective is to avoid liability in any collision involving their shoppers.
Instacart Auto Insurance Requirements
When delivering groceries for Instacart using personal passenger vehicles, drivers in Arizona are only required to carry the mandatory minimum auto insurance. It’s important to note that all vehicles in Arizona must be insured at all times by a licensed vehicle insurance company in the state. The insurance policy should provide coverage that meets the minimum requirements. Additional coverage or a commercial insurance policy is not necessary for Instacart drivers.
- $30,000 for bodily injury
- $60,000 for 2 or more people
- $15,000 property damage
While certain insurance policies may offer coverage for Instacart and other delivery drivers during their work, it is important to be mindful of potential exclusions. Some private policies may not provide coverage for accidents that occur while using personal vehicles for business purposes, such as delivering groceries. In the event that private insurance policies do not cover on-the-job crashes and if there is no supplemental coverage from Instacart, delivery drivers may bear full financial responsibility for any damages associated with accidents.
Filing an Instacart Accident Claim In Arizona
Car accidents are a common occurrence in Phoenix for various reasons. However, delivery drivers, including those from Instacart, face a higher risk due to the nature of their work. The demanding task of navigating delivery routes often leads to distractions caused by phone usage or GPS systems, particularly in unfamiliar areas. This distraction significantly increases the likelihood of accidents as drivers divert their attention from the road to check order details.
Instacart drivers, who are compensated per order, often feel pressured to speed or drive recklessly to complete as many deliveries as possible. This pressure to meet delivery deadlines can result in dangerous and aggressive driving behaviors. Some of these behaviors include:
- 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
Food delivery accident claims can be intricate, especially when companies like Instacart contend that their drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. Generally, employers are not deemed liable for the negligent acts of independent contractors. However, enlisting the aid of a proficient Instacart accident lawyer in Phoenix can increase your likelihood of securing the highest possible settlement for your accident.
Available Damages For An Instacart Accident
If you have experienced an accident while using Instacart, it is crucial to understand your right to seek compensation for any injuries and losses you have endured. Motor vehicle accidents can lead to vehicle damage and a range of injuries with varying degrees of severity. These injuries often necessitate expensive medical treatment and care. Failing to hold the responsible party accountable may leave you burdened with the financial strain of medical expenses and other accident-related costs.
At Klink Law, we are committed to ensuring that negligent drivers are held accountable for their actions. We recognize that being involved in a grocery delivery accident can be a stressful and challenging experience for you and your family. Our team of qualified Arizona Instacart accident attorneys is prepared to advocate on your behalf. We are here to assist you in securing the compensation you rightfully deserve for your losses resulting from a delivery driver accident.
- 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
Taking legal action against Instacart after a car accident involving one of its drivers presents numerous challenges. This is primarily due to the lack of insurance coverage provided by Instacart to their drivers. As independent contractors, delivery drivers are not entitled to benefits. Unlike other delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, which offer insurance to their drivers, Instacart drivers must rely on their personal auto insurance policies in the event of an accident.
Consequently, if you find yourself in an accident with an Instacart driver, it is more likely that you will need to work with their personal insurance rather than Instacart itself. Instacart often denies liability when injured drivers and third parties attempt to file accident claims for compensation. However, filing a claim against Instacart after an accident is not impossible. If you have been injured in an accident caused by an Instacart driver, it may be possible to hold Instacart accountable. Your best course of action is to consult with our experienced attorney in Phoenix who specializes in Instacart accident cases and has a proven track record of representing victims of delivery driver accidents.
Contact Our Phoenix Instacart Lawyers Now
If you’re unsure about what to do after an accident involving an Instacart driver, our Phoenix Instacart accident lawyer is here to provide guidance. We are dedicated to exploring all options to maximize your claim. While we understand that monetary compensation can’t undo the injuries or trauma you’ve endured, it can help alleviate the financial burden caused by the accident. If you’re ready to seek compensation for your Instacart accident, contact Klink Law today for a complimentary consultation.
Questions? We Can Help
Based out of Glendale, AZ Klink Law, PLLC focuses on Personal Injury Litigation, Licensing Board Defense, and General Civil Litigation. David Klink takes pride in the opportunity to personally serve his clients and he will take the time to explain the legal process and answer your questions.