Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are growing very fast and quickly becoming one of the most common forms of private transportation around the Moreno Valley area. The unexpected increase of Uber and Lyft drivers has led to an influx of vehicles on the road, which has caused an increase in traffic congestion, and ultimately, more car accidents.
If you sustained an injury in an Uber or Lyft accident as a passenger, pedestrian, or motorist, it is your legal right to be compensated for your injury and losses. However, how do you determine who is responsible for the damages? Here’s an overview of all potentially liable parties in a rideshare accident.
Liable Parties in a Rideshare Crash
If you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, your medical bills may be covered by the rideshare company. California requires ridesharing companies to carry a certain amount of commercial liability insurance to cover injuries and accidents. However, Uber and Lyft are liable for their employee’s accident, rideshare drivers are independent contractors, which allow them to avoid expenses such as unemployment insurance and other employment benefits.
This classification also allows the rideshare companies to try to limit their liability for the actions of their driver. So, if you are injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, you can be compensated for your injuries and losses either by the insurance of the driver or the rideshare company. Uber and Lyft require all drivers to have coverage of their own in the event they are involved in a crash. However, most individual policies do not include commercial use, which contracted driving would fall under.
How Does the Rideshare Insurance Policy Apply to Your Accident?
A rideshare driver has a different amount of liability insurance coverage, depending on their position at the time of the rideshare accident, which includes:
The Driver Is “Off the Clock”
If the rideshare drivers don’t have the Uber or Lyft app on and they are not on their way to pick up a passenger, then the accident is not covered by Uber or Lyft insurance. That means if you were hit by a rideshare vehicle it doesn’t mean the rideshare insurance coverage is necessarily responsible for the accident. So, you can only sue the rideshare driver or insurance company to recover compensation.
The Driver Is On the Clock Waiting for a Request
If the rideshare driver is on the clock waiting for a request, their insurance still comes into play, but this time the rideshare company kicks in some contingent liability insurance. The insurance coverage includes reimbursement for the victim’s medical bills, vehicle damage or replacement, property damage, and other losses.
The Driver Is Carrying a Passenger
If the driver is at fault for the rideshare accident while on an active trip, then the rideshare company will be fully responsible for the accident. The maximum amount rideshares companies cover in damages is $1 million. Being awarded compensation may sound like a lot for many victims of Uber and Lyft accidents; however, wrongful death or catastrophic injury can translate to a huge amount of medical bills to pay, severe suffering, and the loss of a family’s provider. With a good rideshare accident attorney in Moreno Valley at your side, you can file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft.
What Damages Does the Compensation Cover?
After sustaining an injury or losing a loved one to a rideshare accident, there are many damages you can receive compensation for, which include the following:
- Lost wages
- Disfigurement and disability
- Pain and suffering
- Limited earning capability
- Medical expenses like hospital visits, prescription drugs, emergency room visits, and medical equipment
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
- Funeral services
While the compensation can’t replace your loss during the rideshare accident, it can help give you the financial needs required to move forward. When you seek compensation with the help of an experienced and compassionate rideshare accident lawyer, you can get the best settlement possible.
Get Help from an Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Moreno Valley
If you or a loved one suffered rideshare accident injuries from a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver or company in Moreno Valley, our legal team at Empire Accident Attorneys could help. Helping the victims of rideshare accidents is our mission. We have several years of experience taking on big companies like Uber and Lyft, and our rideshare accident attorneys know how to win.
We do not bill our clients if we cannot recover compensation for them. We are also happy to offer a free consultation. Don’t wait. Contact us today to get started.
