Ridesharing services like Uberpool and Lyft are a pretty popular way to get around. According to surveys, the ridesharing industry will reportedly have a market value of over $220 by 2025. However, this increasing popularity is no surprise, as ridesharing services are convenient and cheap.
However, while convenient, ridesharing services are not all sunshine and rainbows. Like any other driver, ridesharing drivers can also get into accidents, and when they do, it can be quite confusing for the victim. If you’ve recently been injured in a ridesharing accident, you’re in good company. This article discusses what you need to know about ridesharing accidents to know how to figure out the right approach.
Why Ridesharing Accidents are Unique
When one is involved in an ordinary road accident, the steps to take afterward are usually pretty straightforward. However, determining liability when you are involved in a ridesharing accident as the passenger can be a little complex because;
Rideshare Drivers are Under Contract
In their statements, leading rideshare companies, Uber and Lyft, boldly claim they are not taxi services, but platforms that help match people who need a ride with willing drivers. In respect to that, these companies consider any driver who uses their apps are independent contractors instead of employees. What this means is that they cannot be held fully responsible for the Driver’s actions.
Drivers Use Their Vehicles
What makes ridesharing accidents even more complex is that the drivers use their vehicles to offer rides and not Uber’s or Lyft vehicles. Thanks to this, the Uber driver’s first line of defense when an accident does occur is their personal insurance cover. They could also use a special ridesharing insurance coverage, which, unfortunately, only 23% have purchased.
Who pays for the Crash if the Driver has No Personal or Ridesharing Insurance Cover?
Both Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage for both passengers and drivers. However, the coverage level varies based on the Driver’s app activity in the event of the crash. Their policies are divided into periods as highlighted below;
Period 0: Offline
If the Driver is a registered Uber or Lyft user, but in the event of the crash they were offline, the company offers no coverage.
Period 1: Waiting Period
If during the crash, the Driver had their app on and actively looking for a passenger, both Uber and Lyft offer a third party liability coverage. If the driver is at fault, the company covers all the damages and losses but will not cover the Driver. Uber usually offers $25,000 in property damage liability, $50,000 in injury, and $100,000 total liability per accident.
Period 2: En-route
Period 2 is when the Driver has been matched with a passenger and is on their way to pick them up. If an accident happens during this time, both companies offer a million in total liability. They also provide contingent collision for the Driver’s vehicle.
Period 3: Picked Passenger
Phase 3 begins after the Driver picks the passenger. During this period, the Driver gets $1million uninsured motorist liability, and if they had collision protection on their personal insurance policy, they’ll also get collision protection. The passenger receives $1million in total liability and $1 million motorist injury liability.
Contact the Experts Today
Being involved in an accident is stressful by itself. Add in having to navigate the complexities of a rideshare accident, and it can be easily overwhelming for you. The good news is that you don’t have to do it all alone.
At RS Law Offices, our team of trusted rideshare attorneys has been helping those injured in such accidents pursue the compensation they deserve. We recognize how overwhelming it can be and the negative impact it can have on your life. Call us today and schedule an obligation free consultation.
blogs
Defensive Driving in Arizona
Learning to drive defensively can be an effective skillset for any driver, anywhere. With collision-related deaths in Arizona going up from 2019 to 2020, from 980 to 1,057, now is a good time to keep in mind your safety and the safety of those around you while on the road in Arizona. Of course, many […]
Safety and Defensive Driving Tips for Truck Drivers
The old saying goes, the best offense is a good defense. According to research, accidents caused by big rigs or the 18-wheelers have increased by 52% since 2009. Safe and defensive driving involves saving lives, time, and money regardless of the conditions around you or other road users. Defensive driving for truck drivers goes beyond […]
Five Products for Increased Bicycle Safety
Bicycle accidents are unfortunately increasingly common in both California and Arizona, causing many to seek damages to compensate for their losses. Defensive driving and being aware of your surroundings are the best tools for safety, as is making sure your bicycle is properly maintained, making sure to wear a helmet, and obeying all street laws […]
Five Helpful Facts and Tips About Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are specialist machines. They require their own licenses, training and a specific discipline for driving safely. Learning to drive defensively on a motorcycle can be more difficult than doing so in an automobile. Each year, there are 2,907 total motorcycle crashes, 2,274 of which result in injuries and 156 of which result in some […]
Top Five Most Common Car Accidents
Despite the plethora of traffic rules and safety measures implemented, car accidents are still quite rampant in the country. According to a report on the World Health Organization website, over three million people are injured in auto-accidents yearly, while 30,000 others succumb to their injuries. As experienced car accident attorneys, we’ve handled our fair share […]
The Most Unsafe Era for Pedestrians in 40 Years
Pedestrian safety is of utmost importance right now, and not just because pedestrians legally have the right of way in most places in the United States. Being asafer pedestrian is always key to avoiding injuries by being aware of ones surroundings and avoiding distractions, but as it stands, North Americans are not stemming the tide […]
Tips for Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles as a mode of transportation are inherently moredangerous than others. Because of this, motorcycle drivers have an extra onus on them to be the safest drivers possible. Many motorcycle accidents are caused due to careless motorcycle driving, and while you may think you’re one of the safe ones, anyone can be caught off guard. […]
Winter Rideshare Safety Tips
Winter driving is no joke in general. Everyone needs to slow down and be sure to take the proper winter driving precautions, but if you drive a rideshare, your point-to-point driving makes you more vulnerable to getting in an accident than if you were simply driving to and from work. Add to this the dangers […]
Mold and LA Renters — Know Your Rights
You may have heard of “mold growth” in passing. Depending on the situation, the story you heard may have been about a simple annoyance, a house deal that fell through, or a sneezing fit. However, there are a lot worse stories than that out there; mold can cause severe allergies, incapacitation, and even worse health […]
Mold and LA Renters — Know Your Rights
You may have heard of “mold growth” in passing. Depending on the situation, the story you heard may have been about a simple annoyance, a house deal that fell through, or a sneezing fit. However, there are a lot worse stories than that out there; mold can cause severe allergies, incapacitation, and even worse health […]
contact form
