Ridesharing companies maintain positive reputations thanks in part to how effectively they’ve lowered the number of drunk drivers. However, accidents in or with rideshare vehicles are always a possibility. In fact, Uber and Lyft have faced criticism for their casual driver screening process. Many people feel that rideshare drivers need to undergo more rigorous background checks.
What if you experience an accident involving an Uber or Lyft? Whether you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle or have a collision with one, the legal process after a car accident can be intimidating to navigate.
The first thing to do is call the rideshare accident lawyers at Geoff McDonald and Associates in Richmond, VA. Our team has more than 25 years of experience with personal injury cases, and we have served as both Uber accident lawyers and Lyft accident lawyers.
As ridesharing increases in popularity, the odds of you being in an accident involving a rideshare driver also increases. Avoid the confusion of handling it on your own and work with our team. Unsure if you have a case? Call us for a free case consultation.
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Why Work with a Rideshare Accident Attorney?
Accidents involving a rideshare vehicle can create confusion for the victims. Unlike some crashes, which involve another individual, these cases involve a corporation. From a legal standpoint, corporations have access to more resources than an individual might. These situations and legal cases can be difficult for an individual to navigate.
Once a rideshare accident occurs, you’ll have many questions. Who pays: the driver’s or rideshare company’s insurance? Was the company negligent when hiring this driver? What if passengers are involved?
Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can answer these questions for you during your consultation. We’ll go over the details of your case and help you make more informed decisions.
What You Need to Know About Rideshare Insurance
Before a rideshare company will accept responsibility, it needs to determine a few factors. For example, if the driver’s app was on or if the driver has or was on their way to pick up a passenger, the rideshare company is likely liable. However, if the driver was not using the app at the moment of the accident, then the driver may be personally liable.
It’s also important to note how you and others were involved in the accident. Passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers could all potentially be affected parties. These circumstances will all impact the rideshare company’s insurance claim.
A $1 million policy applies if the driver accepted a fare or actively had a passenger in the Uber at the time of the accident. If the app was on, but the driver had not accepted a ride, the coverage becomes lower. Both Uber and Lyft will cover up to $50,000 per person and $25,000 for property damages. It’s important to remember that these represent the maximum damage award, so speaking with one of our attorneys is the best way to determine the coverages available for your case.
Uber and Lyft also provide coverage in circumstances where their employee was not at fault. If an uninsured driver was at fault, the company should still cover damages. If you are a passenger when an accident occurs, the company’s insurance policy should cover your injuries.
By working with a Lyft accident lawyer or Uber accident attorney in our firm, you can learn how this coverage may apply to your case
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What Can Uber and Lyft Be Legally Liable For?
The severity of car accidents can range from minor property damages all the way to wrongful death. Regardless of the outcome of the accident, what happened before the accident is what matters.
You’ll need to prove negligence to win a case against a rideshare company. Some examples of negligence include failure to:
- Conduct thorough background checks
- Keep vehicle maintained and repaired
- Check the driver’s accident history
We also need to consider the driver’s role in the car accident. If the driver is liable, their insurance might compensate you for damages. However, this would only be true if the driver’s insurance includes rideshare coverage.
Even if the driver’s insurance denies the claim, you still have options. If your Uber or Lyft driver displayed poor or reckless driving skills, we can file a claim against the rideshare company. Actions taken by the driver that put others at risk play a role in fighting rideshare accident cases.
Be sure to connect with one of our Lyft accident lawyers to learn who may be liable in your situation.
Information Regarding Rideshare Companies
- Virginia law requirements for rideshare drivers include being at least 21 years of age, passing a background check, valid drivers’ license, and driving a properly registered vehicle.
- Less restrictive regulations are what allow rideshare companies to keep their prices lower than taxis.
- Uber and Lyft have claimed their employees are independent contractors in an attempt to rid the rideshare companies of fault, but their legal status is controversial, and various states, as well as the Department of Labor, have taken different stances on the matter.
- Some cases against Uber and Lyft have involved drivers committing robberies, assaulting passengers, and even kidnapping passengers. Many sexual assaults have also occurred in rideshare vehicles.
- Each company has published a safety record report that has both assuring and alarming statistics. See the reports from Uber and Lyft.
Connect With a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
At Geoff McDonald and Associates, our law firm has provided Richmond, Virginia, with legal counsel for more than two decades. If you’ve been involved in an accident in or with a Lyft or Uber vehicle, our rideshare accident attorney team can help you and represent you in your case. Start by calling us at 804-888-8888 or filling out our free consultation form. Once you choose to work with us, you’ll only pay legal fees if we win your case.