El Segundo Instacart Accident Lawyer

Instacart Delivery Accident Lawyers In El Segundo, CA

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 a remarkable 300% surge in usage since 2019, driven further by the coronavirus pandemic. As one of the largest and most widely available grocery delivery services in the country, Instacart partners with renowned retailers like 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. Data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the number of online grocery shoppers reached a staggering 93 million, marking a substantial increase compared to the previous year’s 35 million.

Major cities like Los Angeles have witnessed the popularity of Instacart and other grocery delivery services soar. However, as the number of food and grocery delivery vehicles rises, so does the risk of delivery driver accidents. If you have been involved in a collision with an Instacart driver, our qualified El Segundo Instacart accident lawyer is available for a free consultation.

Understanding Instacart Accident Insurance

Many drivers sign up and agree to the Instacart Independent Contractor contract without fully comprehending 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 agreeing to possess all the necessary equipment, insurance, and licenses required to perform shopping and/or delivery services.

Unlike other delivery services such as 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 in accordance with California’s auto insurance requirements. This leaves many Instacart drivers accountable 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 evade liability in any collision involving their personal shoppers.

Instacart Auto Insurance Requirements

When delivering groceries for Instacart using personal passenger vehicles, drivers are not required to have additional coverage or a commercial insurance policy. Instead, drivers in California are only obligated to carry the mandatory minimum auto insurance. It is important to note that all vehicles in California must be insured at all times by a licensed vehicle insurance company in the state. The vehicle insurance policy should provide coverage that meets the minimum requirements, including:

• $30,000 for bodily injury
• $60,000 for 2 or more people
• $15,000 property damage

Certain insurance policies may provide coverage for Instacart and other delivery drivers during their work. However, it’s important to note that some private policies may have exclusions for accidents that occur while using personal vehicles for business purposes, such as delivering groceries. If private insurance policies do not cover on-the-job crashes and if there is no supplemental coverage from Instacart, delivery drivers may be fully financially responsible for damages associated with accidents.

Filing an Instacart Accident Claim In California

Car accidents occur frequently in Los Angeles County for various reasons. However, delivery drivers, including those from Instacart, are particularly susceptible to accidents 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, especially in unfamiliar areas. This distraction increases the risk of accidents as drivers take their eyes off the road to check order details.

Instacart drivers, who are compensated per order, often resort to speeding or driving recklessly in an attempt 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 complex, particularly when companies such as Instacart argue that their drivers are independent contractors, not employees. Typically, employers are not held responsible for the negligent actions of independent contractors. Nonetheless, seeking the assistance of a skilled Instacart accident lawyer in El Segundo can enhance your chances of obtaining the maximum settlement for your accident.