Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have become so common, and for a good reason. They provide safer and more convenient transport for individuals enjoying a night out of town or those who need a stress-free ride to their destination.
In fact, Uber reports that 99% of rides end without any incident. But it takes only one accident to turn your life upside down.
Rideshare drivers are likely to be involved in accidents like any other driver. So, who is responsible for an Uber or Lyft car accident? Is it the driver or the ridesharing company?
The answer to this question depends on who was responsible for the accident. The negligent driver is usually liable for damages.
But if the driver does not meet the requirements for operating a rideshare vehicle, the company can be held accountable since it must ensure its drivers adhere to defined standards.
This post will explain further about liability in Uber or Lyft car accidents. Read on to learn.
What To Know About Uber Accident Cases
Taking a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft is sometimes safer than driving yourself. This is especially true if you are intoxicated.
But that is not to say accidents cannot happen. Car accidents occur daily, and they involve rideshare vehicles sometimes.
If you are hurt in a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft, remember that there are laws that apply to ridesharing drivers. Most states require ridesharing company drivers to meet specific requirements to get a permit.
These requirements include:
- Be 18 years and above
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have a copy of valid vehicle registration
- Maintain a valid car insurance
- Pass a background check
Rideshare operators who do not fail to meet these requirements may have their permits revoked. Depending on the state, the rideshare company could also lose its operating license.
What Is the Duty of Care for Uber and Lyft Drivers?
The term “duty of care” refers to an individual’s obligation under the law to act reasonably or take due care to protect others from undue risk of harm. A person may be deemed negligent and held accountable for any damage caused to others if they fail to uphold this obligation.
Drivers of ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are responsible to their customers. They must operate their vehicle as cautiously as possible to take a passenger to their desired location.
For instance, a driver who texts, talks on the phone, or is else distracted is not expressing a duty of care.
Depending on the situation, a rideshare driver who fails to act reasonably and causes a traffic accident or other event in which a passenger is hurt may be held accountable for their acts or inaction.
The company could also be responsible in some situations. For example, it is possible that the driver does not match the qualifications for driving a rideshare car in your state or does not have a clean driving record.
If that is so, you can hold the company accountable since it must ensure its drivers adhere to defined standards.
What Are Some Examples of Driver Negligence in Uber or Lyft Accidents?
A driver who fails to afford due care when on the road is considered negligent. Examples of negligence by an Uber or Lyft driver include:
- Distracted driving: Mobile phones, GPS tools, or entertainment systems tend to keep drivers and passengers entertained. Sadly, these tools also distract drivers far too quickly. These distractions cause numerous accidents all around the country.
- Speeding: Attentive drivers know when to regulate their speed per road conditions. Drivers who fail to do so contribute to accidents. Even if they drove slower than the allowed speed limit, their behavior could still be considered careless.
- Traffic light violations: Trying to save time by dodging running a red light or beating a yellow light are not just traffic light violations. Vehicle collisions can result from such risky moves.
- Impaired driving: Rideshare drivers are not exempt from staying sober when driving. Alcohol is not the only substance that impairs driving; certain drugs can have this effect. The driver might be held accountable to compensate for a victim’s damages even if the actions do not result in criminal prosecution.
Who Is Liable Following an Accident With an Uber or Lyft?
At first glance, you may assume ridesharing companies should assume liability if one of their drivers is involved in an accident. However, this is not always the case.
Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are designed to largely shield themselves from liability in the event of a crash. For instance, Uber considers its drivers independent contractors instead of employees, creating a legal barrier between the company and the driver’s actions.
In the event of an accident, the rideshare company frequently argues that they only serve as facilitators. Simply put, their sole involvement is to link drivers and passengers. They hold the driver accountable for accidents caused while the passenger is on board.
Knowing who exactly is liable is crucial if you are hurt in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft. Whether you were the passenger in either vehicle or the driver of the car hit by an Uber or Lyft, holding the rideshare company, and not just the driver, accountable for the accident can make a huge difference in the amount of compensation you receive.
A Lyft car accident attorney can help you prove the negligence of both the driver and the company.
How Does Insurance Work for Uber and Lyft Drivers?
The two main ride-sharing businesses, Uber and Lyft, offer a $1 million insurance policy that protects drivers and passengers injured in auto accidents. These insurance policies compensate for injuries, medical expenses, and fatalities under a three-part plan:
- Drivers of rideshare companies who sustain injuries in accidents caused by other motorists.
- Rideshare passengers injured while riding in the car
- Any driver or onlooker injured in collisions caused by a rideshare driver
Apart from this policy, Uber/Lyft require their drivers to have personal insurance coverage that meets state minimum requirements.
There have been complaints from drivers that their insurance providers have terminated their coverage after learning the driver was working for a rideshare company.
In response, major insurance firms like Allstate, Progressive, Geico, and others have started offering rideshare-specific policies.
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft After an Accident Involving a Rideshare Vehicle?
Your ability to sue Uber or Lyft and recover damages after a collision involving a rideshare vehicle will depend on the details of your case. The driver’s status at the time of the crash is the most crucial factor in evaluating whether you have a claim against a rideshare company.
Typically, the app is activated when a customer requests a ride and the driver accedes to the request. That means the business can be held responsible if a rideshare driver is involved in a collision while the app is running.
However, the rideshare company might not be held responsible if an accident happens when the app is disabled or the driver uses their car for private purposes.
You must know that holding the ridesharing company liable can be challenging, even when a driver is using their car for work-related duties. These companies take every precaution to protect themselves from liability for accidents caused by their drivers.
What Damages Can You Claim After a Rideshare Accident?
Any person injured in a car accident caused by an irresponsible driver is entitled to compensation. The compensation must comprehensively cover all losses resulting from the accident, tangible or not. These losses usually include the following:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
It is hard to value intangible losses (such as pain and suffering) at a specific dollar amount. Given this, insurance firms frequently undervalue these losses when making settlement offers.
An experienced Lyft car accident attorney can help you demonstrate the worth of the actual damages you have incurred.
What Happens When an Uber or Lyft Insurance Company Calls You?
You may probably hear from several people who will question you about the accident. The Uber driver, the driver’s insurance provider, Uber/Lyft, or Uber’s/Lyft’s insurance provider, for instance, may call and ask for more details about the incident.
You may want to be cautious about whom you disclose information to over the phone because the lines of communication are so many.
Your Lyft car accident attorney can communicate with all parties on your behalf to ensure that all information is accurate and that no conversation might be used against you.
Your lawyer can analyze the facts of the case, the police record, and any available information before communicating with Uber/Lyft or the insurance provider to ensure that the truth is not being withheld.
Contact an Uber/Lyft Accident Attorney
Rideshare accident lawsuits are frequently complex and messy due to the involvement of drivers, rideshare companies, passengers, and even third parties. As you concentrate on recuperating, a lawyer can take care of the tedious technicalities of your claim.
But personal injury attorneys do more than push paper; they also actively represent their clients. An experienced Lyft car accident attorney will protect you from shady insurance firm strategies, examine the facts of the accident, and build a strong case for negligence against the at-fault party.
The skilled Uber/Lyft accident lawyers at Legal Giant can help. We fight against rideshare companies to ensure our clients receive fair compensation for their damages.
Contact us for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer if you have been injured in a rideshare accident.
