Martinson & Beason, P.C.
Martinson & Beason, P.C.
If you were injured in a crash involving an Instacart driver, the next steps you take could have a lasting impact. With the rise in delivery traffic across Huntsville and beyond, accidents involving app-based drivers have become increasingly common. That reality brings legal and financial complications, especially when the driver works for a company like Instacart, a platform that avoids direct liability by classifying drivers as independent contractors.
Understanding how Instacart structures its operations is key to understanding your rights. A Huntsville Instacart car accident lawyer with Martinson & Beason, P.C., will protect those rights and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Contact our firm for a free case evaluation.
Instacart was founded in 2012, but it saw unprecedented growth starting in 2020. During the early pandemic, demand for grocery delivery services spiked. Instacart rapidly expanded its workforce, reportedly hiring more than 350,000 new drivers in a single year. Those drivers now fulfill millions of deliveries per week, including stops throughout Huntsville and nearby communities throughout North Alabama.
Each additional vehicle on the road, particularly one tied to fast-paced app orders, increases the chances of an accident. Delivery drivers often face pressure to meet short timelines, even during poor weather, construction traffic, or congested intersections. When one of those drivers causes a crash, the path to compensation becomes more difficult than in a traditional accident.
Unlike rideshare giants such as Uber or Lyft, Instacart offers no liability coverage for its drivers. Instead, the company shifts full responsibility to the driver, requiring only that they carry personal auto insurance meeting state minimums. In Alabama, that could mean as little as $25,000 for bodily injury per person.
When serious injuries occur, that low policy limit may not come close to covering your medical bills or income losses. In cases involving long-term treatment or permanent disability, compensation needs often reach six figures or more. That gap between your actual losses and the driver’s available coverage is where an Instacart car accident lawyer will provide critical support.
Drivers who work for Instacart face a unique set of challenges when they are involved in a collision. If the crash was your fault, your personal insurer may reject the claim altogether, arguing that you were using the vehicle for commercial purposes. Some drivers purchase supplemental business-use insurance, but many do not realize they need it until it is too late.
Without business-use coverage, you can be left to cover not only your own damages but also those of anyone else injured in the crash. That kind of exposure can be financially devastating. Our law firm has helped clients evaluate these risks and take steps toward limiting personal liability.
If another motorist caused your injuries while you were working for Instacart, you will file a third-party claim against that driver’s insurer. Because Instacart does not consider you an employee, you are not entitled to workers’ compensation or any financial support from the company. That makes your auto insurance and uninsured motorist coverage all the more important.
Accidents involving Instacart drivers are handled much like other traffic incidents on Alabama roads. You would begin by filing a claim against the delivery driver’s personal insurer. However, challenges arise when the driver has inadequate coverage or when their insurer denies the claim due to the commercial nature of the delivery work.
In these situations, we often evaluate whether the facts justify legal action against Instacart directly. Although the company labels all drivers as independent contractors, certain facts may support a broader theory of liability. For example, if Instacart ignored prior safety concerns or failed to screen a dangerous driver, those actions can support a claim for negligent hiring or supervision.
Our attorneys will investigate the driver’s background, past driving record, and any red flags that may have been overlooked. If that investigation reveals carelessness on Instacart’s part, we will advise you on the potential for filing suit against the company, not just the driver.
In Alabama, the determination of fault generally follows the same procedures regardless of who caused the crash. Police reports, eyewitness accounts, and physical evidence help establish who acted negligently. But when an app-based driver is involved, additional questions arise regarding employment status, insurance exclusions, and delivery timelines.
Because Instacart does not offer a liability policy to back up its drivers, victims often face a patchwork of insurance problems. Some drivers may be entirely unaware that their personal policy excludes delivery work. Others may have been logged into the app or fulfilling an active order at the time, which can further complicate coverage.
We work with clients to review insurance documents, app usage logs, delivery records, and any communications between the driver and Instacart. That detailed work helps build a stronger claim and may uncover other legally responsible parties.
A collision involving an Instacart driver can lead to substantial injuries and significant disruption to your life. Common recoverable damages include compensation for medical costs, both immediate and ongoing. That includes hospital bills, ambulance services, imaging, medications, surgical care, and rehabilitation.
Lost income also plays a major role, particularly when your injuries prevent you from returning to work. If you suffer permanent limitations that impact your earning ability, those future income losses may be recoverable. Emotional and psychological harm, such as anxiety, trauma, or chronic pain, may also support a claim for non-economic damages.
If the driver’s insurance policy falls short of covering your full losses, our team will explore other avenues. That may include your uninsured motorist coverage or a claim against Instacart itself. Every case demands a careful evaluation of liability, damages, and coverage limits.
At Martinson & Beason, P.C., our Instacart car accident lawyers understand how deeply a delivery-related accident can disrupt your life. A collision involving an Instacart driver often raises difficult legal questions that do not arise in more typical car accident claims. When you come to us for guidance, we respond with the approach we have refined over decades: a professional, team-based process designed to get results while respecting your time, concerns, and dignity.
Our team begins by gathering the facts. We want to know what happened, what injuries you sustained, and how the crash has impacted your life. From that initial meeting forward, we will treat you as more than a case file. We consider our clients as partners in a process built on loyalty and transparency. You will never have to guess where your case stands or whether we are moving forward. Regular, timely communication is not a bonus—it is your right.
An experienced Instacart car accident attorney at our Huntsville law firm will review all available insurance policies, investigate the circumstances of the crash, and offer honest, thorough insight into your legal options. When questions arise about Instacart’s responsibility, we will dig deeper into the driver’s history, the company’s hiring practices, and the role the platform played in what happened. If legal action against Instacart is justified, we will not hesitate to pursue it.
Throughout this process, we will remain accessible to you. If you want to talk by phone, we are here. If you want to come into our office, we will make time. We do not hide behind voicemail, nor do we leave clients wondering. If we represent you, you will always have access to your legal team and receive prompt updates every step of the way.
We believe legal representation should reflect professionalism, ethics, and mutual respect. That means we will not rush your case to closure just to check a box. We will not encourage you to accept an offer that does not reflect the full scope of your injuries. Your case deserves more than a volume-based strategy, and that is exactly what you will get at Martinson & Beason, P.C.
Our Instacart car accident lawyers do not treat people like files or numbers. Each case we accept receives the combined attention of our legal professionals, including investigators, support staff, and attorneys. We consult with one another frequently to ensure your case benefits from every angle, and we build your claim with precision. Our lawyers understand that the right result only comes from the right preparation.
We also maintain the highest standards of confidentiality. What you share with us remains secure. Whether we are reviewing medical records or negotiating with insurers, we take your trust seriously. Our legal team understands the stakes of your case, whether those stakes involve physical pain, emotional trauma, long-term disability, or financial loss.
At Martinson & Beason, P.C., we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Our firm has deep roots in Huntsville and we are proud to represent people in the community we call home. We know the intersections where these crashes happen. We understand the insurance carriers operating in the region. We bring that local knowledge to every case we manage.
Our Instacart car accident attorneys are also familiar with the regional court system and local judges, which can make a meaningful difference in how a case progresses. We understand what juries in Madison County expect and what insurers are likely to argue. That local experience helps us shape our legal strategy to better reflect the reality of where your case will be heard.
Some injured people wait too long before reaching out for help. In Alabama, the law imposes clear deadlines for filing injury claims, and waiting too long can mean losing your chance to pursue compensation. We recommend contacting our office as soon as possible after the crash so we can begin evaluating the facts and protecting your rights.
Once we accept your case, we will take over the legal legwork. That includes communicating with insurance adjusters, gathering documentation, requesting delivery records, and identifying all potentially liable parties. Our lawyers will also review your insurance policies to assess whether coverage, such as underinsured motorist protection, may apply.
Our legal team’s job is to handle the claim so you can focus on your recovery. We will work to reduce your stress, not add to it. If your injuries prevent you from visiting our office, we will make alternative arrangements to accommodate your needs. Our goal is to provide straightforward representation without unnecessary obstacles.
If a retailer, third-party delivery platform, or another driver contributed to your injuries, we will investigate that connection thoroughly. We believe in holding all responsible parties accountable, even if it means taking your case beyond a simple insurance claim. Our attorneys are not afraid to pursue complex litigation when the situation demands it.
Martinson & Beason, P.C., has proudly represented the people of Alabama since 1937. We are committed to delivering honest counsel, consistent updates, and full respect to every client who walks through our door. When you choose us to handle your Instacart injury claim, you are choosing a legal team that stands by your side from day one.
If you were hurt in an Instacart-related crash—whether as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian—you do not have to face the legal system alone. Our firm will review the circumstances of your accident and explain your options in plain terms.
Reach out to our office today to speak with one of our Instacart car accident attorneys about your case. We are proud to serve the people of Alabama with integrity, dedication, and a commitment to your cause. Your rights matter, and our team stands ready to protect them. You can schedule a free case review by using our online contact form or calling (800) 255-6534.
When life throws you a curveball, having a trusted legal team behind you can bring peace of mind to you and your family. The attorneys at Martinson & Beason Injury Lawyers have proudly served the Huntsville community—and all of Alabama—since 1937. Our deep community roots, passion for people, and desire to help those who need it most allow us to provide clients with dedicated legal help.
I have had a wonderful experience during my time if need. I was in a major car accident that changed my life. I had the honor of working with a great team of people who cared. Martinson & Beason is a professional and caring law firm that truly makes everything easy and informational. I would recommend them to anyone for their needs and making things simple.
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