Ridesharing vehicles such as Lyft and Uber are becoming more popular as our lives continue to get busier, and in many respects, these services simplify commuting and make travel much easier. However, as their popularity increases, the risk of a ridesharing vehicle accident increases as well. Given the unique factors involved in these kinds of crashes, it may be essential to have a basic understanding of how insurance policies work in the context of ridesharing car accidents.
When a Driver is Personally Liable
As ridesharing grows more popular, it is important to know what to do in the event of an accident. Alongside typical post-accident actions like collecting contact information from witnesses, seeking appropriate medical attention, and taking photographs and videos of the crash scene and of the damage to your vehicle, there are some unique insurance-related matters you should be aware of when it comes to wrecks involving rideshare drivers.
Drivers employed by a rideshare service must rely on their own personal insurance to cover any accidents or injuries that may occur while they are offline and off the clock. Otherwise, Uber and Lyft have broad insurance policies that provide coverage to account for various situations.
When a Rideshare Company May Be Liable
Rideshare drivers may use their company’s insurance policy if an accident occurs after they had accepted a trip or while they were waiting to pick up a customer. However, while Uber may provide additional compensation, the driver’s insurance would cover a majority of the cost.
For accidents resulting in bodily injury, Uber may award each affected person between $50,000 and $100,000. They may also provide $25,000 in property damage if an accident occurs while there are no passengers in the car.
Additionally, employed drivers can rely on their company’s policy if a crash takes place while they are carrying a passenger, in which case both the driver and passenger would be covered up to one million dollars. Any affected third parties, such as a cyclist or pedestrian, would also be compensated by this policy.
What a Lawyer Could Do to Help
Ridesharing is a huge part of today’s commuter culture, and understanding the different requirements and policies involved can be difficult without the help of a skilled attorney. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney can be incredibly helpful in filing a lawsuit against ridesharing companies, as they can help you evaluate your options and make the process easier. Contact Domnick, Cunningham & Yaffa today to get started on your case.
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