Not long ago, people had no alternative but to call a taxi when they needed a one-way ride. That has changed with the rise of ridesharing. Companies like Uber and Lyft harness the power of smartphones by letting consumers access their services via apps.
In a flash, customers can get an inexpensive and convenient ride to wherever they are going. It seems like a wonderful revolution in the passenger transportation industry, but it’s not without risk.
Just like any other vehicle on the roads and highways, a rideshare car is prone to accidents.
If you were injured in an accident in which you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, then you need the assistance of an Uber accident lawyer like the practitioners at Your Insurance Attorney.
Your Insurance Attorney doesn’t accept a penny of payment unless they obtain a settlement for you. After performing a thorough investigation of the incident, they negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to get the compensation that you need and deserve.
If these negotiations do not bring about the desired outcome, then Your Insurance Attorney is prepared to go to court on your behalf.
Using a ride service like Lyft or Uber is smart when you’re enjoying a night out with friends. The last thing you expect is to be involved in an accident. Nonetheless, these incidents do happen.
When ridesharing first came on the scene, the insurance issues were extremely complicated. Many of those complications have since been resolved, but determining who is at-fault and which insurance company should be making compensation can still be messy.
In fact, it’s not unusual to find that three (3) or four (4) insurance companies are actually involved with accident claims that involve ridesharing vehicles. This presents a headache for the average person who simply wants the responsible party to pay for their medical bills.
That’s why it’s critical that you work with a skilled Lyft accident attorney. They have essential knowledge and experience that makes them the perfect advocates for people who are injured in ridesharing vehicles.
Immediately after an accident, many Uber or Lyft passengers expect some kind of guidance or advice from these ride service companies. People who seek this sort of help are disappointed.
That’s because companies like Lyft, Uber or others like them adopt a “hands-off” approach to most incidents that involve their drivers. In fact, they don’t even really call the drivers “theirs” because they aren’t employees. They are independent contractors, and this frequently lets these companies off the hook.
It’s worth noting that because rideshare drivers are not formal employees, they don’t get any
in-depth training, and they must supply their own vehicles.
These companies do ask their drivers to meet some standards. For instance, drivers are required to be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license and pass a criminal background check. Vehicles must be well-maintained, have four (4) doors and be fairly new.
Most of the standards for drivers and vehicles are relatively vague. Plus, there may be some question with regard to just how thorough and rigorous the driver background checks are.
The condition of the cars used in ridesharing services may be similarly questionable. Prior accidents and new mechanical problems may render a vehicle unsafe for operation. Given that rideshare drivers are “independent contractors”, it’s likely that no one is regularly inspecting these vehicles to ensure that they are still road-worthy.
People who drive for ride services are required to carry their own insurance. Additional coverage may be provided by the company with which the driver has an agreement. However, this additional coverage is only activated at certain times.
These times are dictated by the driver’s status at the time of the accident. If they are “offline”, meaning that they are not using the Uber app, then their own insurance is responsible for any accidents.
If the driver is “available”, meaning that potential passengers can see them, then the driver is covered by Uber’s insurance policy for liability only.
An Uber driver is “en-route” when they accept a ride and are on their way to pick up the passenger. This is when Uber’s full insurance policy kicks in.
Similarly, the driver is covered by the full Uber insurance policy after they have picked up a passenger and are considered “on-trip.”
People who own a car are required to carry insurance. This insurance policy is typically appropriate for a vehicle that is used for personal reasons like commuting to work, going to the doctor or doing the grocery shopping.
However, when someone starts using a personal vehicle to work for a ride service, then their insurance company may consider that the car is being used for commercial purposes.
Because the car wasn’t being used for the personal purposes that are outlined in the driver’s policy, the insurance company may deny the claim outright.
A rideshare accident lawyer from Your Insurance Attorney understands the unique complexities that are involved in a ridesharing accident. It is because of their experience that many people have been able to receive the compensation that they deserve.
Accidents that occur while you’re a passenger in a rideshare vehicle can be just as devastating as those that might occur in your own car. You may suffer broken bones, spine or traumatic brain injuries, and many other wounds that may require extensive medical treatment.
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in an accident, then you need a Lyft accident attorney. Your Insurance Attorney accepts no payment until you get paid.
Whether or not your claim has already been filed, call Your Insurance Attorney. They can help you regardless of which stage of the process you are in.
