Food Delivery sites like Grubhub don’t have to sell us too hard on a service that lands a hot bag of food on our doorstep in just a few clicks. We chow down and then perhaps decide to burn off the calories on a long bicycle ride.
Once we’re on the road, we may realize the true price of the food delivery game. We notice the extra traffic as cars zip around the Bay Area delivering all these meals. One bad decision can cause a collision with an unprotected bicyclist. In the aftermath, a cyclist is wondering just who will be held responsible for a severe accident.
Speedy Delivery a Hazard for Bicyclists
Cyclists share an uneasy partnership with other vehicles on the road. It’s a concern day and night in San Francisco as 4.2% of all commutes in the city are on a bicycle.
Those cyclists are more vulnerable to bad drivers. There are rarely any fender benders for a biker. Those accidents can cost us our lives. And when drivers on their delivery routes are added to mix, the risk can only go up.
Grub Hub Corporate reports that it averaged almost 500,000 orders or “Grubs” a day in 2018. That’s a lot of food and a lot of vehicles rushing out for pick-ups.
Distracted Delivery Drivers
Factor in that San Francisco and Oakland Grubhub Drivers can be distracted by many things. They are looking up their destination or speeding to make their deadlines for delivery. The food itself can become a factor if something spills or bags tumble. It can all lead to a careless traffic maneuver that leaves a bicyclist with nowhere to go but to the pavement.
What Can you Expect to be Compensated
When the carelessness and negligence of a delivery driver cause an accident, the victim is protected by state law and is allowed to seek compensation for injures and even non-financial factors. Damages might include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Medical bills after the accident
- Ongoing medical care in the future and any medical apparatus the victim may need.
- Loss of income due to missed work.
- Psychological pain or trauma in the recovery and the possibility of being off your bike forever.
- Property Damage
- Travel Expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I have before the statute of limitations runs out?
You have two years after the date of your accident to file a negligence claim for your personal injuries. You have three years after the date of your accident to file a claim for property damages sustained.
Can I trust the insurance company to give me full compensation?
The truth is that the insurance company agents and adjusters have one job to do and that is to save their company as much as possible. This means that no matter how logical their offer sounds or the amount it is, you need someone on your side who knows the law and can make sure you are being treated fairly.
What if I rode my bike in front of the delivery vehicle that hit me?
If you were injured because you rode your bike in the path of a car, this might not mean that you are out of luck as far as compensation. The driver could have been distracted or speeding or there may be a number of other factors that could place a percentage of the blame on him or her. Talk to an attorney who knows the law and how to get you compensation even if you feel you were partially at fault.
Contact a San Francisco Area Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Grubhub rushes out meals to millions of customers, but that doesn’t mean it can ignore safe practices like hiring good drivers who use safe vehicles for delivery. If you’re struck by a Grubhub driver while on your bike, you’ll need to take steps to hold that driver and Grubhub responsible for your injuries and losses.
Bay Area Bicycle Law is the only personal injury law firm in Northern California to specialize exclusively in representing injured cyclists. Years of advocacy for bicycle victims have seasoned our attorneys with the necessary skills, knowledge base, and familiarity to handle bicycle accident cases with the utmost level of professional expertise.
Contact us today for a free consultation. California cyclists who are injured by negligent drivers are entitled to a wide array of compensation. We will always offer you legal advice which is in your best interest.