Rideshare services have revolutionized the way we get around. A popular alternative to taxis and mass transit, companies like Uber and Lyft offer customers private transportation, typically when traveling shorter distances. Like any other kind of motor vehicle, cars driving for rideshare services can be involved in car accidents.
In most motor vehicle collisions, the drivers — and their auto insurance companies — are usually the only people responsible for compensating injured victims. However, liability is not always clear in Uber accidents or Lyft crashes. You need to find out whose auto insurance should pay before filing a compensation claim. A knowledgeable lawyer from Flaherty Law, LLC knows how to identify the at-fault parties and hold them accountable for your damages.
What Was Your Role in Your Rideshare Accident?
Unless you are a rideshare driver, there are a few ways you might be involved in an Uber or Lyft accident. You could be:
- A rider in the rideshare vehicle
- Assaulted or otherwise injured by the rideshare driver
- A driver or passenger in another vehicle
- A pedestrian
Your role helps determine whose insurance policy should cover your damages. It is also necessary to determine who is at fault for causing your collision. In some cases, more than one party shares the blame. Establishing liability in rideshare accidents is often complicated, but Flaherty Law, LLC understands how to overcome these challenges.
Who Is Liable in Lyft and Uber Crashes?
Every accident has unique factors, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Your lawyer from Flaherty Law, LLC will need to investigate your accident to find out why and how it occurred before determining liability.
If you are a paying passenger in a rideshare vehicle, the rideshare company’s insurance policy should be in effect. Uber and Lyft, for example, provide $1 million bodily injury liability for riders injured in collisions. However, if another motorist contributed to or caused your accident, that person may also be liable. If you are the victim of an assault by a rideshare driver, you may be able to hold the company liable in some cases.
If you are a pedestrian or an occupant of another vehicle, determining who is liable is tricky. The rideshare company’s insurance coverage differs according to the driver’s status at the time of the crash. If the driver is not logged in, his own auto insurance policy should pay your claim. Drivers on standby waiting for a ride request or traveling to a pickup location have limited coverage from the company.
The driver’s personal insurance may deny your claim if the company is unaware that their policyholder uses the vehicle for business purposes. In other cases, drivers who do not purchase required add-ons may also result in a claim denial.
Call Us Today for Your Free Consultation With Our Skilled Plainfield, IL Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Recovering from injuries can make dealing with your compensation claim difficult, especially in cases with unclear liability. Flaherty Law, LLC can handle your case so you can focus on your recovery. Call us at 815-860-5702 now to speak with our dedicated Will County, IL rideshare accident attorney.