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Injured by a Pizza Delivery Driver? We’re Here to Help.

At Perdue & Kidd, our experienced personal injury attorneys are nationally recognized for their expertise in handling complex, high-stakes cases. With a proven track record of holding negligent delivery drivers and their employers accountable, we are dedicated to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve. Our compassionate approach, combined with decades of courtroom success, ensures that your case is in capable hands. Contact Perdue & Kidd today to schedule your free consultation, and let us start building a strong case for you.

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The Risks of Pizza Delivery Accidents

Delivery drivers face pressure to meet tight deadlines, often leading to unsafe driving practices such as:

  • Speeding: To make fast deliveries, drivers may exceed speed limits, putting others at risk.
  • Distracted Driving: Using GPS apps or answering customer calls while driving can result in preventable accidents.
  • Negligence at Intersections: Failing to yield, running red lights, or ignoring stop signs can lead to devastating crashes.
  • Fatigued Driving: Many drivers work long shifts, leading to exhaustion and slower reaction times.

Pizza delivery drivers, especially those employed by large chains or gig-based services, are often operating under immense stress. While they aim to do their job, their mistakes can result in life-altering consequences for innocent victims.

What Areas of Law Cover These Accidents?

Personal Injury Law

Personal injury law is the primary area that governs accidents caused by pizza delivery drivers. Victims can seek compensation for injuries caused by the driver's or their employer's negligence. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Motor Vehicle Accident Law

Since these accidents typically occur on the road, motor vehicle accident law is also applicable. This involves determining fault, understanding traffic regulations, and dealing with insurance claims for both the driver and the injured party.

Premises Liability (in some cases)

If the accident occurs in a parking lot or on private property, premises liability law may come into play. For example, if a delivery driver drives recklessly in a parking lot and causes an injury, the property owner might share some liability, depending on the conditions of the property.

Employer Liability (Vicarious Liability)

Employers can often be held responsible for the actions of their employees under the doctrine of vicarious liability. This means the pizza delivery company could be liable if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment when the accident occurred.

Product Liability (in some cases)

If the accident was caused by a defect in the delivery vehicle (e.g., brake failure or tire blowout), product liability law may apply. In these cases, the vehicle manufacturer, maintenance company, or part supplier could also be held accountable.

Commercial Vehicle Accident Law

Delivery vehicles are considered commercial vehicles, and different laws and insurance requirements often apply. This area of law includes specific regulations for commercial drivers and the companies employing them.

Wrongful Death Law

If the accident results in a fatality, wrongful death law may be relevant. Surviving family members can pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages associated with their loss.

Insurance Law

These cases often involve disputes with insurance companies. Pizza delivery drivers may have commercial or personal auto insurance policies that are insufficient for covering damages, requiring legal intervention to secure adequate compensation.

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Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?

While the driver may have been directly responsible for the crash, there are often additional parties whose actions or negligence contributed to the incident. Understanding all potential sources of liability is critical to securing full and fair compensation. Here’s how liability might extend beyond the driver:

The Delivery Driver

The delivery driver is often held accountable for accidents due to negligent behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, or running red lights. It's important to show that the driver breached their duty of care, leading to your injuries. However, if the driver lacks adequate financial resources or insurance coverage, it's crucial to look for other responsible parties.

The Delivery Company

Employers are often held liable under the principle of vicarious liability, which makes businesses responsible for the actions of their employees while on the job. A delivery company could be directly or indirectly liable if they:

  • Failed to Train Drivers: Inadequate training on safe driving practices or company protocols can increase the risk of accidents.
  • Hired Unqualified Individuals: Employing drivers with a poor driving record, history of substance abuse, or insufficient licensing may constitute negligence.
  • Enforced Dangerous Policies: Companies that prioritize fast delivery times over safety—such as penalizing drivers for late deliveries—create conditions that encourage reckless driving.
  • Neglected Vehicle Maintenance: If the company owns the delivery vehicles and fails to maintain them properly, they could share responsibility for accidents caused by mechanical failure.

Third Parties

Sometimes, other entities contribute to a pizza delivery accident. These can include:

  • Vehicle Maintenance Providers: If a maintenance company improperly serviced the delivery vehicle, leading to a mechanical failure (e.g., brake malfunction), they may share liability.
  • Vehicle Manufacturers: In cases where a defect in the vehicle or one of its parts caused the crash, the manufacturer or parts supplier could be held accountable under product liability law.
  • Other Drivers or Pedestrians: In multi-car accidents or situations involving multiple parties, another driver’s or pedestrian’s actions may have contributed to the collision.
  • Property Owners: If the accident occurred on unsafe premises—such as a parking lot with unclear signage or hazardous conditions—the property owner may bear some responsibility.

How Perdue & Kidd Can Help

At Perdue & Kidd, we understand that uncovering all responsible parties is key to building a strong case. Our team conducts a meticulous investigation into every aspect of your accident, including:

  • Driver Behavior: Examining whether the delivery driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent.  
  • Employment Records: Reviewing the delivery company’s hiring practices, training protocols, and safety policies to identify lapses.  
  • Vehicle Condition: Analyzing maintenance records and inspecting the vehicle for signs of neglect or defects.  
  • Accident Reconstruction: Working with experts to reconstruct the crash and determine contributing factors.  
  • Insurance Coverage: Identifying all available insurance policies, including personal, commercial, and umbrella coverage, to maximize your recovery.

Our approach ensures that no stone is left unturned in identifying liable parties and holding them accountable for the harm they caused.

Why This Matters

Determining liability is not just about assigning blame—it’s about ensuring you have access to the full financial resources you need to recover. By pursuing claims against all responsible parties, Perdue & Kidd increases the likelihood of securing maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

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Compensation for Victims of Delivery Driver Accidents

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a pizza delivery driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation under Texas law. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows victims to recover compensation as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. The amount you receive may be reduced by your percentage of fault, making it essential to work with experienced attorneys to prove liability. Here’s what you may be entitled to recover:

Medical Bills (Current and Future)

  • Emergency room visits
  • Hospital stays
  • Surgeries and procedures
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Prescription medications
  • Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or prosthetics
  • Ongoing care for permanent injuries

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity

If your injuries prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently, you may recover:

  • Lost Wages: Compensation for income you missed while recovering from your injuries.
  • Reduced Earning Capacity: If you are unable to return to your previous job or work at the same capacity due to long-term injuries, we will calculate the difference in your earning potential and seek damages for the gap.

In Texas, this requires clear documentation of your employment, wages, and the extent to which your injuries affect your ability to work.

Pain and Suffering

Texas allows accident victims to seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional anguish caused by their injuries. This is often a significant part of personal injury claims, especially for those dealing with chronic pain, disfigurement, or permanent disabilities.

Property Damage

If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you are entitled to compensation for repair or replacement costs. Texas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance that includes coverage for property damage, but the delivery company may also bear responsibility if their policies apply.

Emotional Distress and Punitive Damages

Accidents caused by delivery drivers can result in significant emotional trauma for victims. In Texas, you can seek compensation for psychological effects, especially if treatment is needed. If the driver or company acted with extreme negligence, you may also pursue punitive damages, particularly if the driver was under the influence. Texas caps punitive damages at $200,000 or twice the economic damages, whichever is higher, to deter egregious behavior.

Texas Insurance Requirements

In Texas, drivers must carry the following minimum insurance coverage:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury per person
  • $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage

However, many delivery drivers use their personal vehicles for work, and their own auto insurance may exclude coverage for accidents that occur while they are on the job. This is where the employer’s commercial liability insurance or additional policies may come into play. Perdue & Kidd thoroughly investigate the insurance coverage available to ensure all avenues of compensation are explored.

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Let Perdue & Kidd Fight for You

When it comes to high-stakes personal injury cases, you need an experienced law firm with a proven track record of success. Perdue & Kidd offers:

  • Decades of Experience: We have successfully represented clients in complex personal injury cases for years.
  • Extensive Resources: From accident reconstruction experts to medical consultants, we have the tools to build a compelling case.
  • Client-Centered Advocacy: We take the time to understand your needs and work tirelessly to secure the best outcome for you.
  • Proven Results: Our firm has achieved multiple eight-figure jury verdicts and settlements.

With our commitment to justice and decades of experience, we stand ready to hold negligent drivers and their employers accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Record. Reputation. Results. That’s the Perdue & Kidd difference. Contact us today.

Pizza Delivery Driver Accident FAQ

What if the delivery driver was using their personal vehicle?

Can the delivery company be held responsible for my injuries?

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

What if the delivery driver was working for a gig-based app like DoorDash or Uber Eats?

How long do I have to file a claim?

What kind of evidence do I need to support my case?

What if the delivery driver was uninsured or underinsured?

What if the delivery driver was using their personal vehicle?

Most pizza delivery drivers use personal vehicles, but standard auto insurance policies often exclude coverage for accidents that occur during work-related activities. In these cases, the employer’s commercial insurance may apply, depending on the company’s policies.

Can the delivery company be held responsible for my injuries?

Yes, under the principle of vicarious liability, delivery companies can be held accountable for their drivers’ actions if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. Additionally, the company may be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or vehicle maintenance.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

What if the delivery driver was working for a gig-based app like DoorDash or Uber Eats?

Gig-based delivery drivers are usually considered independent contractors, which complicates liability. However, these companies often provide insurance policies that cover accidents during active deliveries. An attorney can help identify applicable coverage in these cases.

How long do I have to file a claim?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within this timeframe may result in losing your right to compensation.

What kind of evidence do I need to support my case?

Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, medical records, and proof of the driver’s negligence (e.g., speeding or distracted driving) will strengthen your claim. An experienced attorney can help gather and preserve this evidence.

What if the delivery driver was uninsured or underinsured?

If the delivery driver lacks sufficient coverage, you may still recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or by pursuing claims against the delivery company’s policies.

Record. Reputation. Results.Let Us Fight For You.

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