Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have made getting around town a whole lot easier and are just as safe as taking a cab or driving yourself, for the most part. It is pretty incredible how technology has made it so that in just a few taps on your smartphone you have door-to-door service and are on your way to your final destination.
However, what happens if while en route to your end spot there is an accident? If you are injured in a crash with an Uber driver or while riding in a Lyft, who is responsible?
If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, your injuries will likely be covered by the company’s insurance. A general rule is that employers are liable for their employees’ accidents. Despite disagreements about whether Uber drivers are technically employees or not, ride-sharing companies will remit their drivers if they get into an accident while driving a customer.
If you happen to be driving another car, or are a pedestrian hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, establishing fault could get a little tricky. Even though ride-share companies cover drivers when they are working, figuring out what classifies as drivers being on the clock is a bit complex.
Let’s say Susie is a Lyft driver and is involved in a crash and did not have a rider in her car at that time, but was on her way to pick one up. If the ride-share driver is not covered under the company’s insurance policy,establishing liability in a collision will be just like any other car accident.
In that case, it is best to gather as much evidence related to the accident and your injuries as possible to support your claim. If it can be determined that the accident was the ride-share driver’s fault, then they will likely be liable. Most ride-share companies require their drivers to carry their own insurance policies for when instances like these arise.
If you have been injured in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver need help obtaining financial compensation or are pondering a lawsuit, contact a Florida Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton at 866-608-5529 to discuss your claim.