Who Can be Held Responsible for Rideshare Accidents, and What are the Complications Involved?
Ridesharing is an excellent option that has made everyday commute easy. It is an affordable option for people; however, you may be surprised by the amount of legal gray involved in this industry, and yes, the subject matter is accidents. If you have been in an unfortunate situation where you or another passenger was injured in rideshares, one common heavyweight question is “Who is liable?”. The insurance claims can be a handful, and you may need to think carefully about who may be liable to compensate for the damage done.
Why You May Need a Professional Lawyer
Rideshare accidents are complex, and frequently you may need the hands of a qualified attorney to handle the case. There is no doubt that injuries require quiet and healthy recovery, thus, requiring you to focus exclusively on medical treatments rather than handling the implications of your case. The right rideshare lawyers can handle common complications in Uber accidents by keeping communication lines open, providing updates, and protecting you from the tactics of insurance companies.
These professionals are trained to understand the ins and outs of the laws that surround the accident and ensure the driver compensates for the claims while protecting you from legal consequences and potentially harmful decisions. They can handle complexities ranging from gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and settling claims with the driver through legal knowledge.
About 10 million people in the U.S. are claiming billions of dollars worth of damage from rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. With a growth of about 3% in car fatalities caused by rideshare services, these services have been labeled a significant contributor to these accidents. About 2% to 3% of accidents result in $5 billion to $13 billion in costs, and multiple complications can arise regarding who is liable. In this article, you will learn exactly that.
Who is Responsible for Rideshare Accidents?
As for who is liable, the answer is usually the driver, for the solid reason that rideshare drivers are the ones who operate the vehicle. The insurance they get from companies is inadequate for compensation, so the liability moves on to those who are held accountable for the driver’s negligence.
These companies often claim they are not “employees” but “independent contractors” and are only responsible for operating the mobile application. Considering these notions, it is easy to see why complications can arise when claiming compensation under distress. However, the court says otherwise.
Specific commissions like the California Public Utilities Commission have ruled out the possibility of protecting themselves with their business model, stating that they are responsible for the passengers while exercising strict regulations and scrutiny. Applications like Uber and Lyft provide about $1 million in insurance for car accidents, including injuries to the driver, passengers, and other drivers. They also mandated personal insurance up to the state-mandated amounts. Apart from collisions, one must also look out for robbery, assault, sexual assault and rape, kidnapping, DUI, and more.
What Complications Can Arise?
The compensation structures may be complicated for users, and most times, civil case compensations can be a mirage. Compensation includes damage recovery, medical reimbursements, lost wages, an estimate of future earnings lost due to damage, and other factors. On the other hand, wrongful death compensation also includes funerals, burials, cremation costs, medical expenses, and loss of current and future income due to death.
Such accidents can happen due to drinking and driving, drowsy driving, road rage, distractions, and pure recklessness, which can cost your life and the ability to live a complete life.
Conclusion
Uber and Lyft are incredibly convenient ways of traveling across cities, but all convenience comes with a cost. A rideshare can cost you your life or your ability to live happily and work. Given the number of complications covered in this article, it is easy to see how dreadful the situation can be.
Not only do you have to focus on recovery but also fight with drivers who are negligent in their job. Partnering with reliable lawyers to handle everyday complexities can help you avail professional assistance with your insurance companies and demand answers from the liable party.
