Can you seek damages if an accident occurs while you’re a passenger in an Uber, Lyft, or other ride-sharing vehicle? It is likely you can, if you were not at fault in some way. However, the issue of whether the collision is covered by the ridesharing company’s insurance or the driver’s insurance will be raised. Discover the three elements that can decide that issue.
Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you have been injured in a car accident and request a free legal consultation.
In general, Uber and Lyft try to avoid being held accountable for accidents that their drivers cause
Independent contractors who drive for ridesharing businesses like Uber and Lyft often try to avoid being held liable for auto accidents. The intention is for the insurance companies of their drivers to pay the bill, and occasionally that is the best course of action. However, compared to private insurance firms, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies typically offer much larger maximum coverage limits.
These three considerations determine whether you can sue Lyft or Uber
If a rideshare driver was logged into the app and connected to a passenger when the accident happened, or if the rideshare driver was traveling to pick up a passenger when the accident occurred, or if the rideshare driver was transporting a passenger to their destination, the injured party may have legal recourse against Lyft or Uber. If none of those three hypotheses apply to the circumstance, Uber or Lyft are probably not responsible.
What happens if the driver is off duty?
The primary coverage would be the Uber or Lyft driver’s personal motor insurance if they were not using the app while operating the vehicle. The driver must have liability insurance that meets their state’s minimal requirements if the system is enabled but they are not connected to picking up a passenger. Uber and Lyft drivers are obliged to carry liability insurance that is at least $200,000 in coverage.
It falls far short of the $1 million in liability insurance that Lyft and Uber offer if the customer was being transported at the time of the accident, though it may be sufficient in other circumstances. Uber and Lyft should be the only insurance alternatives available if the app is open and the ride is in progress.
It is not always so simple
In a perfect world, if you were hurt in a car accident, the person who was at fault would accept responsibility and you could collect compensation right away. Rarely is this the case. We strongly advise you to contact a personal injury attorney if you were hurt in a car accident involving any kind of ridesharing vehicle. For a free examination of your legal matter, call the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707.
