Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular among people trying to save on the cost and hassle of owning their own vehicles. Rather than dealing with the monthly expenses of car insurance, gas, and vehicle maintenance, people can simply request a ride when they need one. There are many benefits to ridesharing instead of having your own car, including saving money to and the ability to go out without worrying about impairing your driving. However, as rideshare apps grow in popularity, there has also been an increase in questions about liability if an accident occurs. Unfortunately, many reckless and careless drivers on the road could collide with your Uber or Lyft driver.
If you’ve been in an Uber or Lyft accident and sustained an injury, the medical bills can be overwhelming, and your injury may limit or prevent you from working. Most car accidents can cause significant emotional, physical, and financial damage, and if you are injured in a rideshare accident, there is the added stress of being unsure who is liable for your damages. A Minneapolis Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you determine the best legal course of action for your circumstances.
Most Uber or Lyft drivers do their best to get their passengers safely to their destination, but even the most experienced drivers get into accidents. There are also instances when your rideshare driver may make mistakes. Whether it’s a mistake your driver makes or the mistake of another driver, the five leading causes of Uber or Lyft accidents are:
There are various factors that may distract rideshare drivers and contribute to an accident, such as:
Uber and Lyft drivers need to focus on delivering their passengers to their destinations safely, but the tasks they’re supposed to be accomplishing can often be the distraction that causes an accident.
Rideshare drivers make their money by transporting as many passengers to their destinations as they possibly can. However, this can lead to drivers taking risks that increase the chance of getting into an accident. Uber and Lyft drivers often use rideshare apps as a second or even third source of income, which generally means they’re working late into the night or early in the morning. Unfortunately, although it’s understandable, this type of behavior can be dangerous and cause accidents.
Unfortunately, speeding is another widespread behavior among all drivers, but rideshare drivers are especially likely to speed as they try to fit in as many trips as possible. The more trips they complete, the more money they make. However, speeding often has severe consequences. Speeding limits any wiggle room or time to help avoid a collision and can often result in a more severe collision than if the driver had been driving the speed limit.
Tailgating is when a driver is driving too closely behind another vehicle. Most drivers know that it’s essential to leave enough space between their car and the car in front of them. However, many drivers disregard that rule, especially during peak traffic hours. Unfortunately, tailgating a car means you lose that space that could have been used to prevent an accident.
It’s commonly known that drugs and alcohol impair a driver’s cognitive and motor skills. When those skills are impaired, drivers lose their ability to gauge distance, read road signs correctly, and react to other drivers, pedestrians, or objects, resulting in accidents.
It’s important to understand that Uber and Lyft don’t operate like taxi companies and are not legally considered taxi service providers. Essentially, this means that liability does not function in the same way as it does during a taxi accident claim. Uber and Lyft are not taxis or private transport companies, but instead are considered software companies. Legally, all they do is provide an app that allows individuals to contact individual drivers for rides. Uber and Lyft do not directly hire drivers as employees but instead recruit them as independent contractors.
However, Uber and Lyft must still maintain accountability, and they do so by providing insurance coverage depending on the circumstances of the accident. While you can’t sue Uber or Lyft after an accident as if they were the driver’s employer, you can still obtain a degree of insurance coverage from them.
The amount of insurance coverage that someone involved in an Uber or Lyft accident can receive depends on the circumstance of the accident. Lyft and Uber have three distinct categories to determine if they can be held liable by a passenger in a rideshare accident for some or all of the damages.
If your accident occurred while the driver’s Uber or Lyft account was not active, then neither company can be held liable for the accident. If the vehicle is being driven without the app active, that means it is being operated for personal use, making the accident no different from regular car accidents. The liable party is whichever driver was negligent.
Those who are involved in an accident with a driver waiting for a ride while the rideshare app is active may have limited coverage afforded by Uber or Lyft. If Uber or Lyft is liable in some way, you may be able to receive the following coverage:
However, if the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault, the driver will have to go through their personal insurance. The driver will also be unable to receive any coverage from Uber or Lyft if these companies aren’t held liable in any way.
Uber extends coverage for accidents if:
Uber and Lyft may also provide uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage in some cases. Furthermore, drivers or anyone else in the Uber or Lyft during an accident caused by another negligent party may also be covered for up to $1 million when the other driver has insufficient insurance.
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be unsure how to best recover the compensation you are owed for your injury and other related losses. At Knutson + Casey Law Firm, our attorneys can help you understand your legal options and build a strong claim for you to achieve the best possible outcome. Schedule a consultation at (507) 344-8888 or fill out our contact form.