Last week, this blog looked at a recent Multnomah County lawsuit involving a Domino’s pizza delivery driver and a fatally injured pedestrian. The case is a reminder that, compared to a few decades ago, pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and passengers today face a wide array of potentially unsafe delivery drivers. Rather than just FedEx, UPS, and pizza delivery, now there is also Amazon, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and many more. If you are seriously injured (or a loved one killed) by a delivery driver who drove negligently, it is crucial to understand the unique challenges you may face. To better understand your case’s strengths and possible challenges, talk to a knowledgeable Oregon motor vehicle accident lawyer with experience handling these types of matters.
In the case of the pedestrian in Southeast Portland, the driver was a Domino’s delivery person. The driver, however, did not work directly for Domino’s. Like many chain restaurants, Domino’s employs a franchise business model. The driver worked for a Portland LLC that owned the Domino’s restaurant franchise on Southeast 82nd Avenue. That meant the pedestrian’s estate filed claims against Domino’s, the LLC franchisee, and the driver.
Other employers whose businesses involve delivery also employ multifaceted business models. FedEx is one delivery service where a driver’s status can be complex. Some FedEx drivers are employees, but the company also relies on numerous independent contractors for package delivery.