Rideshare services such as Uber have indeed changed how we travel. Rideshare companies provide convenience, affordability, and the ability to avoid car ownership hassles. However, with the popularity of these services comes an often-overlooked problem: ridesharing-related accidents.
If a rideshare collision injured you, contact a McLean car accident attorney immediately. Their skills and experience can recover the compensation you need to cover medical bills and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
When Do Accidents Count as Rideshare Accidents?
A rideshare accident is defined as any auto crash involving at least one vehicle that is operating under a ridesharing service.
An accident may happen when a rideshare driver is enroute to pick up a passenger or during the trip itself. You may also count an incident as a rideshare accident if the driver is logged into the rideshare app and waiting for a ride request.
Determining Liability in a Rideshare Accident
Don’t contact a rideshare company until you speak to a rideshare accident attorney. Allow them to speak as your advocate in the case. Let them determine liability and advise you on the claims process.
Unlike a regular car accident, it may be difficult to tell who you can hold liable in a rideshare mishap.
Liability is based on the following factors:
- Whether the rideshare driver caused the accident
- Whether other parties share responsibility for the crash
- Whether the rideshare driver was logged into the rideshare app
- Whether the driver was transporting a customer when the crash occurred
To determine liability, a rideshare accident lawyer will need to know if the driver was working for Lyft or Uber and their log-in status.
For example, if the driver was not logged into a rideshare app or was not transporting a passenger and hit you, the rideshare company bears no responsibility for the accident. In this instance, you need to contact your insurance company about filing a claim and talk to a lawyer on how to receive the money you need.
Uber and Lyft offer limited insurance coverage for accidents if a driver is logged into the app who isn’t transporting a passenger. They offer full coverage for rideshare drivers who are actively transporting a customer at the time of the accident.
Types of Rideshare Accidents
- Rideshare accidents may be defined in one of four ways:
A rideshare driver ran into your car while it was transporting a passenger - You were a rideshare passenger and was injured during transport
- You were injured while the rideshare driver was en route to pick up a passenger
- The rideshare driver was injured while picking up or transporting passengers
To determine liability then, your rideshare attorney must specifically categorize the type of claim.
Rideshare Accident Damages
Both Uber and Lyft pay at least some of the expenses for bodily injury and property damage, provided a driver was working for them at the time of the accident.
Uber covers $1 million in third-party liability for a driver who is on the way to pick up a passenger or is transporting them at the time of the incident.
If the driver is logged in and waiting for a ride request, Uber covers insurance costs as follows:
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
Lyft provides drivers with $1 million in insurance coverage for drivers who transport passengers and the same amounts as Uber for drivers who are waiting for a passenger to request a ride.
Causes of Rideshares Crashes
Several factors may contribute to rideshare accidents:
Driver fatigue
Many Uber drivers work long hours; some even hold multiple jobs. Drowsiness impairs a driver’s reaction times and judgment, which increases the chances of crashing.
Distracted driving
A driver distracted by checking their rideshare app for rides or obtaining directions while driving can easily have an accident.
Inexperience
Rideshare drivers are entrepreneurs who do not receive the same rigorous training that commercial drivers may complete. This lack of experience and knowledge can lead to more accidents.
Urban congestion
The busier and more congested an area, the easier it is to get into a collision. Many rideshare accidents happen at intersections or during peak driving times when traffic volumes are highest.
Legal Framework and Liability
Determining liability in rideshare accidents is complicated, if not confusing. Unlike typical car crashes, several parties may carry different responsibilities.
The Rideshare Driver’s Liability
The driver’s personal insurance coverage might apply if you’re injured in a ridesharing accident. However, this is subject to certain conditions. Personal insurance policies often exclude commercial driving activities.
Insurance Provided by Uber or Lyft
Uber has different levels of insurance coverage, depending on the driver’s status during an accident.
A driver’s personal insurance typically applies while the driver is offline.
App On, No Passenger
When the driver is available or waiting for a ride request, Uber provides third-party liability coverage.
En Route to Pick Up or During Transport
This period attracts Uber’s most comprehensive coverage.
It is important to know these different scenarios to determine who should pay what amount towards compensating victims in rideshare collisions and claims.
The Evidence You’ll Need to Share with a Rideshare Attorney
Before you talk to a rideshare attorney about your rideshare accident case, you’ll need to gather the evidence needed to effectively file a claim.
You should have the following documentation ready so your attorney can effectively determine how to represent your claim.
- Copies of medical records and bills
- Copies of police reports and witness testimonies and addresses
- The rideshare driver’s contact information and insurance details
- Pictures/videos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the accident scene
If you could not get all the information needed at the time of the accident, your attorney can help. For example, they may be able to get witness statements and addresses.
The sooner you file a claim, the better, while the incident is still fresh on your mind. Also, filing early enables you to meet the deadline imposed by the state’s statute of limitations.
If you don’t file a claim by the time the statute of limitations runs out, you won’t be able to go forward with your case. Most statutes of limitations run for two years for personal injury.
Talk to a Rideshare Attorney About Your Rideshare Accident Claim Now
Don’t try to tackle the claims process yourself if you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident. Contact a McLean personal injury lawyer now.