Ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber have become mainstream transportation options for many people in recent years. Ridesharing is a convenient and cost-effective way to get around a city like Corpus Christi. Additionally, most riders believe ridesharing is fairly safe. While many articles and safety concerns focus on violence against drivers and passengers, ridesharing accidents are another common safety issue.
What Makes Ridesharing Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft operate differently than traditional taxi cabs or car services in the following ways:
- Individuals use their own vehicles to transport riders who hail them through an app.
- Rideshare drivers typically have neither commercial driver’s licenses nor commercial auto insurance, which taxi drivers and other professional drivers must have.
- The ridesharing companies maintain the drivers are not their employees.
- Uber provides commercial insurance coverage that applies from the time an Uber driver accepts a call until the time the rider is dropped off at their destination. This insurance typically has a $1 million policy limit.
- Lyft also provides insurance coverage to its drivers while they are en route to pick up a rider and while the driver is transporting the rider to their destination.
What Happens If I Am Injured In A Ridesharing Accident?
If you are injured in a single-vehicle accident involving only the rideshare vehicle, or if you are injured in an accident that was the driver’s fault, Uber insurance coverage should pay for your injuries and damages.
If a roadway crash was caused by another driver’s negligence while you are a rideshare passenger, you should be able to recover compensation from the at-fault driver in the same way you would if you were a passenger in a privately owned passenger car.
What If I Am a Driver, Passenger, or Pedestrian Hit by an Uber or Lyft Vehicle?
With so many Uber and Lyft drivers on the road, the risk of being involved in a rideshare crash is moderate to high. What insurance coverage is available to pay for your damages is determined by the phase in which the rideshare is operating. Meaning, if an Uber or Lyft driver was en route to pick up a rider or was transporting a rider at the time of the crash, the ridesharing service’s insurance would come into play. This means if the rideshare driver is found at fault for the crash, you may be able to recover from Uber or Lyft’s commercial coverage. If the rideshare driver was driving around without a fare and hit you, the service’s commercial policy would likely not apply.
Get Help From a Texas Ridesharing Accidents Lawyer Now
Ridesharing accidents involving Lyft, Uber, or other such services are more complex than the typical car crash. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced attorney with the skills and resources to investigate and pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact John Flood and Flood Trial Lawyers today to work with an ridesharing accident attorney who gives you personal attention and is interested in your health and welfare. Contact us today to request a free, no-obligation review of your case. We won’t charge you unless we recover money on your behalf.
