Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft claim no ownership of the vehicles or the drivers behind their wheels providing their customers with their service. While these companies hire drivers, they claim only to provide a convenient transportation platform to connect people. What would happen, then, if you were in a car crash with a rideshare vehicle? After you've been involved in a car accident, you'll need to consult with an auto accident injury attorney. Here are a few things you should know about your potential case.
One of the complicated aspects of rideshare auto accidents is that the companies deny having a relationship with their drivers. They don't see the drivers as employees but as independent contractors. Uber and Lyft describe themselves as a ride-hailing network, and they do not own the cars that are being used for their ridesharing services. Some states demand that rideshare services provide a minimum of liability insurance, but this varies across regions and few jurisdictions with such laws.
Another issue that an auto accident attorney has to deal with is that most drivers don't have commercial insurance coverage. The driver may be using a personal policy that excludes incidences when they are carrying passengers for profit. The top rideshare companies, Lyft and Uber, have recently unveiled liability insurance for their drivers. Both companies have offered coverage worth over $1 million. However, it will vary based on how and when the accident happened. For example, with Uber, liability insurance covers at least $50,000 in injury liability per person, $100,000 in total liability per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
If you are involved in any car crash, take the time to collect all the relevant information. That will include taking down the names of eyewitnesses. You should also record the registration, insurance, and contact information of the other parties present. Even though cases involving rideshare companies can be complicated, you may still get compensation through liability coverage. If you were hurt in a car accident because of another driver's negligence, your rideshare accident attorney will need to prove that that's the case. Your auto accident injury attorney will also need to prove that it was negligence that was responsible for the accident. In short, an auto accident injury attorney will have to:
Rideshare accident cases can be complicated, so you need to act as soon as possible. File a police report, take photos, and have your injuries treated by a licensed medical professional with detailed medical records. For more information, contact an auto accident injury attorney today.
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