Brooklyn Instacart Accident Lawyers

Instacart Delivery Accidents In Brooklyn, NY

Instacart is a sought-after grocery delivery app that allows you to purchase food from the comfort of your own home. While its popularity has been rising for some time, it’s skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic–seeing an unprecedented 300% growth in usage since 2019. It’s one of the most significant and widely available grocery delivery services nationwide, having partnered with stores such as Costco and Walmart.

In 2019, Coresight revealed that an impressive 36% of adults had obtained groceries online in the preceding 12 months. The U.S. Census Bureau found a dramatic surge in this statistic compared to 2018; it soared from 35 million shoppers up to 93 million. Therefore, grocery delivery services such as Instacart are becoming increasingly sought after in large cities like Brooklyn. As the proliferation of food and grocery delivery vehicles continues in Brooklyn, so does the risk of accidents involving those drivers. If you or someone you know has been involved in a delivery accident with an Instacart driver, reach out to our knowledgeable Brooklyn Instacart accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez now for a free consultation.

Instacart Accident Insurance 

Through Instacart’s Independent Contractor contract, many drivers unwittingly waive their rights to accident coverage from the company. As such, they may not realize that any damage caused in an automobile collision falls solely onto them. This agreement states that all drivers must be legally equipped with appropriate insurance and other equipment for shopping and delivery services. Ultimately, this leaves each driver responsible for any expenses incurred due to a vehicular mishap during work hours.

Instacart does not offer insurance coverage for its contracted delivery drivers while on the job, unlike other services like Postmates. Instead, Instacart’s contract with workers includes a requirement that they maintain valid auto insurance in accordance with New York state law – leaving many of their drivers shouldering responsibility for costly car repairs and medical bills out of pocket. The driver’s insurance likely won’t cover the car accident, and Instacart will not be of assistance either. Thus, they may have to take responsibility for any damages that occurred. Unfortunately, Instacart takes steps towards placing blame on their drivers when it comes to liability issues; their goal being avoiding taking any form of responsibility themselves.

Instacart Auto Insurance Requirements

If you are delivering groceries with your personal car for Instacart, it is not necessary to purchase additional coverage or a commercial policy. All that’s needed in New York is the mandatory minimum auto insurance – and know that this law applies no matter what.

Although some private insurance policies may cover Instacart and other delivery drivers during their shifts if the policy excludes accidents that occur while using personal vehicles for business activities such as delivering groceries, full financial responsibility for any accident-related damage will rest solely on the driver. Without supplemental coverage from Instacart, it is essential to be aware of this risk before taking up a role in food delivery.

Filing An Instacart Accident Claim In New York

Car accidents are an everyday occurrence in Brooklyn, but delivery drivers such as those employed by Instacart face higher chances of collisions due to their job’s nature. Checking routes on phones and GPS systems when driving around unfamiliar neighborhoods can be a major distraction for food deliverers; glancing away from the road to check order details puts these individuals at greater risk of causing an accident. It is essential for Instacart drivers (and all other motorists) to stay focused while behind the wheel – safety should always come first.

It’s unfortunately not uncommon for Instacart drivers to speed and drive hazardously in order to fulfill orders quickly, as they are paid per delivery. To comply with their tight deadlines, these drivers may resort to some hazardous driving tactics, including but not limited to:

• 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

Navigating food delivery accident cases can be difficult, particularly when companies like Instacart claim their drivers to be independent contractors instead of employees. Generally speaking, employers are not legally responsible for the negligent activities of an independent contractor; however, an experienced Brooklyn Instacart accident lawyer can assist you in obtaining maximum compensation from your accident settlement.

Available Damages For An Instacart Accident

If you were unfortunate enough to be involved in an Instacart collision, know that seeking compensation for your damages is within your rights. Crashes can lead to expensive medical bills and extensive vehicle damage – but if the negligent party isn’t held responsible for their actions, then these costs will fall upon you. Don’t let yourself get stuck with unnecessary financial burdens from a crash – stand up for justice and seek reparations.

At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, we strive to ensure reckless drivers face the repercussions of their actions. We comprehend that after a delivery driver accident, you and your loved ones can be left feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Our qualified Brooklyn Instacart accident attorneys are equipped with the essential tools for battling on behalf of victims like yourself. The types of compensation accessible due to these unfortunate events may 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

Taking legal action against Instacart for a car accident involving one of their drivers is an intimidating prospect given that the company does not offer any sort of driver insurance coverage. Since delivery personnel is regarded as independent contractors, they do not receive benefits from Instacart, unlike other food delivery companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats who provide those protections to their respective drivers.

If an Instacart driver gets into a car accident, they won’t be protected by their employer’s commercial insurance as many other drivers would. This means that if you’re in an accident with such a driver, it is likely that you’ll need to seek compensation from the driver’s own personal auto insurer rather than from Instacart itself.

Instacart tends to dodge responsibility when drivers and third parties seek compensation for accidents, but it’s not out of the question. If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving an Instacart driver, then hold them accountable! Talk with our Brooklyn Instacart accident lawyers who have a track record of representing injured delivery drivers – they’ll help get your life back on track after this trying experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Sue An Instacart Driver For Injuring Me?

If you have been injured in an auto accident involving an Instacart driver, know that you can use the same legal process as any other motorist-related incident. Every individual on the roads has a responsibility to ensure the safety of all others present; thus making negligence a valid form for lawsuit filing. You can submit your claim with their respective insurance providers – but always remember to reach out right away if they failed to inform said provider beforehand about delivering under Instacart’s name. Consult with one of our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers who are specialized in such cases without delay.

Can I Sue Instacart For An Accident?

Have you been injured in a collision with an Instacart driver? You may be able to file suit against the company under certain circumstances. For instance, if they hired someone without proper vetting or who had knowledge of past negligent behavior – such as driving on a suspended license – then Instacart could be held liable for your damages. This is because it’s their responsibility to ensure that drivers meet any necessary requirements and have valid insurance policies prior to employment. With this in mind, make sure you contact knowledgeable legal counsel should you find yourself involved in such an incident involving an Instacart driver.

How Much Is An Instacart Accident Lawsuit Worth?

The final amount of compensation you can receive from your Instacart accident is contingent on the severity and long-term effects of your injuries. If they have kept you away from work or caused a permanent change in your life, be prepared to get an increased settlement offer than what was initially offered. Your quality of life will also play an integral role in determining how much money you’ll be awarded for the pain and suffering endured as a result of this devastating incident.

The insurance agent responsible for your accident claim may try to deny or downplay it. That’s why having a skilled Brooklyn Instacart accident attorney by your side is so crucial. While there isn’t an exact amount that can be assigned to the financial value of your case, our personal injury team will assess and evaluate every detail related to the incident in order to provide you with a realistic estimation of what you could expect as compensation for damages incurred.

Contact Our Brooklyn Instacart Accident Lawyer Today

If you are uncertain of your next steps after an accident involving an Instacart driver, fear not; our Brooklyn Instacart lawyer will exhaust all options to help maximize the amount recovered for your claim. We understand that, although money cannot reverse what has occurred or take away any trauma caused, it can certainly relieve some financial stress associated with the incident. If you’re ready to seek compensation for your unfortunate circumstances and would like a free consultation from Rosenberg & Rodriguez’s expert personal injury attorneys, contact us today.