Car Accident Lawyer

As rideshare companies become more popular and commonplace, there has been an uptick in lawsuits against these companies — Lyft and Uber in particular. As a passenger in one of these vehicles, you are entitled to compensation when in an accident, depending on whether the responsible party is the rideshare company or the other vehicle. One thing to always be aware of is that the rideshare insurance is only applicable if the accident occurs between the time the driver picks up the passenger and the time the passenger is dropped off.  

Steps to Take After Being in an Accident

With operations in over 600 cities across the United States, these accidents occur daily. If you happen to be in a rideshare when an accident occurs, immediately call 911 if you or anyone else needs medical attention. Then speak with law enforcement, take pictures and videos of the occurrence, speak with other passengers, and write down contact information and contact the rideshare company to inform them of the accident. Ensure you take down as much information as possible, including a written copy of the police report and name and badge number of the police officer who arrived on the scene.  

Who Is Responsible?

Unlike a standard car accident where the insurance company of the at-fault driver will pay, accidents with rideshare companies can be different. Depending on the accident, the rideshare driver, the other driver, or the rideshare’s insurance company will be responsible for paying out the claim. As rideshare companies do not own or maintain their drivers’ vehicles, drivers are not considered employees. This classification is in constant debate and whether or not a rideshare driver is categorized as an employee or independent contractor is constantly fluctuating. This may affect what policies an injured passenger may be able to go up against, as some of these companies may be immune from a lawsuit.  

Third Party Liability Coverage

Since most drivers do not have the type of coverage to fully compensate their passengers, several of these companies have stepped in and offered insurance protection of their own. This third party liability coverage pays up to $1 million for injuries sustained as a result of a rideshare companies accident. This coverage, however, is contingent on the driver having personal coverage. The claim must be filed with the driver’s personal policy first (which is required for them to drive for the company). If the insurance company denies the claim or the coverage is not enough, then the rideshare’s insurance steps in.  

Contact an Attorney

If you or someone you know has been in an accident, contact a lawyer, like a Lyft accident lawyer in Towson, MD from Seigel & Rouhana, today.