Pizza Delivery Driver Accidents
Las Vegas, Nevada
Pizza delivery accidents
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident with a pizza delivery driver, and the delivery driver was negligent, you have the right to sue for compensation. Call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
Why do pizza delivery accidents happen?
There are several reasons for pizza delivery accidents.
Pizza deliveries must be done very fast, while the pizza is still hot. The more deliveries the driver can make - the more tips they can get, and tips are a big part of their earnings. So, pizza delivery drivers are motivated to drive fast, and while doing it, they often become reckless and neglect the rules of the road.
Who is liable?
There are multiple pizza delivery scenarios where the defendant changes. In some instances, the pizza delivery driver may be the only liable party. While in others, the pizza delivery company may also be responsible.
Overall, if, during the accident, the driver used the company-owned car for pizza deliveries, then the delivery company is usually liable.
If the driver uses his or her car pizza for deliveries, the matter becomes more complicated.
In some pizza restaurants, the driver is included in the car insurance policy for the pizza delivery business and, in some cases, not. Some pizza shops are so small that they don't even carry basic business insurance. And then, there are big companies, like Pizza Hut and Domino Pizza, with million-dollar accident coverage.
Pizza delivery franchises
Many pizza delivery businesses are franchises, and their car insurance coverage could differ from the franchisor or a headquarters restaurant. The only way to know the details is for the attorney to investigate the insurance policy and the accident details.
When a personal car is used
If the driver uses their car to deliver pizza, gets in an accident where somebody is injured, and the pizza shop business insurance denies the claim, the attorney submits the liability claim against the driver's car insurance. There may also be a reason to challenge the business auto insurance policy in court.
Will personal car insurance cover the pizza delivery driver's accident?
It depends on what kind of personal car insurance the driver has. If the insurance policy clearly states that it excludes any business use of the car and the driver used the vehicle to make money, the insurance company may try to deny the claim.
Insurance policy limit
The maximum coverage of any car insurance policy plays a critical role in any personal injury lawsuit. Pizza delivery driver accidents are not an exception. The insurance coverage of a giant pizza chain could be in the millions, while driver's private car insurance often only meets the minimum limit required by law in Nevada.
When a relative's car used
It is not unusual in Las Vegas, especially for young drivers, to use their parents' car for pizza deliveries.
If the driver used their parents' car during a pizza delivery accident, their insurance might have a duty to provide coverage. If the pizza company insurance is also involved, then the respective policies may have special provisions for which policy is primary. In some accidents, both insurance policies can easily apply.
Questions? Call us at 702-432-1000.
After the accident
If you got in an accident involving a pizza delivery driver or a pizza delivery driver who got in a collision with another vehicle, here is your short checklist.
- Check if anyone needs medical help.
- Get the names, addresses, and insurance information of all drivers involved.
- Take many pictures of the scene, mostly photos of the restaurant/pizza store logo and pizzas in the front seat, and anything else that shows that the driver was at work.
Today, it's easy to do at the scene with a smartphone.
Contacting the at-fault driver insurance directly
An important question that comes up frequently is, "In pizza delivery accident cases, can I contact the at-fault driver insurance directly?"
The answer is: it depends.
If your accident resulted in a severe injury, it is better to let an attorney submit your claim and negotiate a settlement with the at-fault driver's insurance.
On the other hand, when nobody was injured in an accident involving a pizza delivery driver, but you want to get compensated for the damaged property (so-called "car accident no injury settlement"), you can contact the at-fault drivers' insurance yourself. In most cases, you don't need an attorney for that.
If the at-fault driver has no insurance
The claim can still be submitted against your insurance or business insurance - if you have uninsured motorist coverage / or underinsured motorist coverage.
How uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage works in pizza delivery accident cases
Having uninsured or underinsured coverage is not required by law. It is something that a business owner or personal car owner buys when car insurance is purchased.
This kind of insurance is supplemental and costs extra. Even passengers, who are victims of pizza delivery accidents, can access the uninsured and underinsured policy of the vehicle that they are in.
Multi-vehicle accidents
Multi-vehicle accidents are more complex, and it takes longer to settle because more parties are involved. But the good news is if multiple drivers are involved, numerous insurance policies may apply, and it adds tremendous value to the case.
Can I file my claim later?
Nevada's statute of limitations for negligent auto accidents is two years. Even if you didn't file a lawsuit immediately after the accident, you are still entitled to compensation. It is common for people not to feel pain immediately after the crash. Only when the initial shock is gone, do many people start feeling the effect of an injury.
Does it affect the claim if the driver works part-time or full-time?
To file a claim after an accident, it makes no difference if the driver involved in a crash was a part-time pizza delivery driver or a full-time one. Most pizza delivery drivers work part-time to make extra money, but what is essential, is that the pizza delivery driver was "on the job" when the accident happened.
We can help
The attorneys at Heshmati & Associates handled many pizza delivery driver cases in the last few years.
We take all delivery driver accident cases on a contingency basis, which means - you only pay if we get settlement money for you.
Call us at 702-432-1000 with any questions you may have.
We serve clients in Las Vegas, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Nevada.
Last updated on January 31, 2024.
