Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

Many people have had the experience of using a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft to get to and from their desired destination, and most trips are safe. When something goes wrong, it is not always clear who is liable in a rideshare accident. The best strategy to determine how to obtain compensation if you are a victim in an accident like this is to speak to a Sacramento rideshare accident lawyer at Triumph Law for the support you need.

Liability in a Rideshare Accident Is Complex

Liability in a rideshare accident is dependent on when an accident occurs and whether or not the trip is being logged by the rideshare app. Companies like Lyft and Uber provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for those who suffer injuries while in an active ride, and all drivers must have their own personal liability insurance policy available to cover incidents that do not occur during rides. The key here is knowing who is responsible for the losses.

In most situations, a driver who is in an accident while providing a ride to a customer has the company’s liability insurance in place, which provides you, the victim, with more liability protection than the driver’s personal policy. If the driver is found to be at fault for the accident, that policy is in place to cover your losses. You would file a claim with the rideshare company’s liability policy for the losses you have.

There are times when the other driver may be at fault in the accident. If that occurs, then your losses are covered by the third-party’s insurance policy, not the rideshare company’s losses. Your rideshare accident attorney can offer insight into when this may apply to your situation.

Consider Some Examples of Rideshare Accident Liability

To determine who is responsible for the losses you have, work with a rideshare accident attorney at our firm. We are happy to offer a free consultation to discuss your case with you. Here are some examples of who may be liability for your losses:

• You are a paid rider, and the driver of the rideshare service is responsible for the losses you have. In this case, the rideshare company’s liability insurance applies to your case.
• You are hit by a driver who is pulling up to you, but the ride is not logged into the rideshare app. If the app has not registered the ride, the driver’s personal liability insurance is responsible for the losses you have.
• You are in an accident while in a logged ride with the app, but it is another driver on the roadway that causes it. In this case, that other driver’s insurance is responsible for the losses you have.

Because rideshare accident liability can be complex, it is often best to work with our attorney, who can help you determine who is responsible for the losses you have. Knowing who is at fault is one component of this process. Triumph Law can help you gather the data and evidence to prove both who is at fault and the losses you have to support your claim.

Are Rideshare Drivers Safe?

When you need a ride to the airport or home after a long night out, the last thing you may be thinking about is if the person behind the wheel is a safe driver. There may not be any way for you to know this, which means you have to trust that the rideshare company did its job of verifying this person’s ability and skill to keep you safe. Most rideshare companies screen their drivers to ensure they are safe, but that does not always mean they have all of the information necessary to make that decision.

It can be hard to know if the person behind the wheel is safe, which is why you rely on a service like Uber or Lyft to screen drivers. If they fail to do that, an accident occurs due to that driver’s negligence, then you are owed compensation for the losses you have. The key here is that, like any other driver on the road, a variety of factors can contribute to their less-than-safe driving ability, including common causes of accidents such as:

• Distracted driving
• Inexperienced drivers
• Reckless driving, such as speeding
• Vehicle failures or mechanical design flaws
• Poor weather conditions
• Overconfidence of the driver
• Fatigued driving

What to Do When You Are Hurt in a Rideshare Accident

Your first step is to get medical care and follow through with your doctor to ensure you are getting all levels and types of care you need. File a police report, document your injury through video, and gather the names and contact information of anyone who is able to provide information on what occurred. Then, contact our rideshare accident attorney to discuss your case.

Our rideshare accident lawyers will work closely with you to understand what occurred, who is at fault, and what insurance policy may be responsible for the losses you have. We will also work closely with you to determine the extensiveness of your losses and back up any claims with medical expert insight and documentation. From there, our car accident attorneys will work to pursue compensation for your case that is fair and comprehensive.

Whether you need to file a claim with the rideshare company’s insurance provider or the driver’s personal liability policy, what is most important is being able to comprehensively document your losses and ensure you receive maximum compensation. Our goal is always to be there to guide you and to use the law to do just that. Do not settle your case until you have an attorney by your side to guide you.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Sacramento

At Triumph Law, P.C., we work closely with our clients to ensure they are filing liability claims properly and thoroughly to protect their future. Contact our rideshare accident attorney to determine who is liable for your losses. Schedule a free consultation by calling our office now.