A DELIVERY driver has been left shocked by a check from DoorDash after his car was destroyed in a hit-and-run.
Veteran Cory Petersen was delivering orders for DoorDash in May when a reckless driver smashed into his car and drove away.
Petersen’s 2018 Honda Accord was left unable to drive with airbags hanging out of the car[/caption]
Petersen’s 2018 Honda Accord was left unable to drive after the accident in Omaha, Nebraska, destroyed the car’s front end.
Pictures of the vehicle after the wreck show the car’s airbags hanging out of the steering wheel and dashboard.
He was told the damage would cost around $17,000 to repair, according to local NBC affiliate WOWT’s report in June.
The former Marine went to his insurance company, USAA, but they denied his claim because they weren’t aware he was delivering food.
“I’m learning that there’s a special type of insurance to add onto your full coverage insurance and it’s called the ‘ride share gap protection,’ I believe,” Petersen said.
“I didn’t have that, so apparently they’re telling me my full coverage will not cover my vehilce.”
Meanwhile, DoorDash originally said it was the rider’s responsibility to pay for the damage.
Mike Koley, an eyewitness to the incident, said the hit-and-run driver deliberately left the scene of the crash.
“The driver kind of looked around, looked left and right, and jumped in his car to see if it will run, puts it in drive, and takes off,” Koley told WOWT.
Petersen then obtained a lawyer after WOWT’s report in June – who stepped in and contacted DoorDash.
The attorney confirmed to the outlet that he convinced DoorDash’s insurance to send Petersen a check for over $17,000.
“I was shocked,” Cory said.
“I couldn’t believe it, especially since I was trying for several months and I wasn’t getting anywhere.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to DoorDash for comment.
Car insurance tips
Here are some ways to lower monthly car insurance rates:
- Increase the deductible – this may increase the amount drivers must pay in an accident
- Ask insurance carriers for discounts
- Slow down on the road
- Keep off the cell phone behind the wheel
- Improve credit scores (in some states)
- Bundle insurance policies
Source: Liberty Mutual
The check made out to Peterson covered the repairs to his car, meaning the driver can now get back to work.
However, Koley said he still hoped for accountability from the hit-and-run driver.
“I just wish there was a way to find the individual who caused all this, because ultimately, he’s the one that should be paying for it,” Koley said.
“But I’m so glad it worked out for [Petersen].”
Petersen and his lawyer urged anyone using their own car to work for anything similar to a ride share company to check their auto insurance policy.
Insurance policies require a rideshare endorsement to ensure coverage after a crash – and it also adds protection if the delivery driver isn’t responsible for the damage.
