Uber and Lyft have taken the country by storm, with ridesharing services even putting traditional taxi companies in jeopardy, while opening the door for independent contractors to make a decent living as on-demand transportation. In many ways it’s a brilliant concept, which essentially legalizes the concept of “jitney” drivers, but in others it’s opened the door to a lot of hazards.
With more drivers on the road than ever before, and just about anyone able to sign up to be an Uber driver, this creates an increased potential for accidents. What happens if you’re involved in an accident with an Uber driver and it wasn’t your fault? Learn about accidents with ridesharing drivers, and how having an Uber accident attorney can help you get compensated for the injuries you’ve suffered.
Can I Sue for Injuries?
The simple answer to the question is yes, you can sue for injuries if you’re involved in an accident with an Uber driver, just like you could with any auto accident. There’s a catch, however, and that’s knowing exactly who to sue. Many people assume that since Uber and Lyft drivers contract with their companies, it’s similar to a truck accident wherein you can sue the company as well as the driver.
This isn’t the case with ridesharing accidents, for the most part. Unlike trucking companies, ridesharing services aren’t considered responsible for the actions of their independent contractor drivers. The company can deny liability for crashes involving these contractors, and this has happened as recently as 2014.
When Ridesharing Companies Share Blame
There is, however, a catch. If you’re a passenger in an Uber vehicle and another driver (not your driver) is at fault, you’ll file a suit against that driver. If the driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your settlement, Uber and Lyft do carry $1 million underinsured motorist policies that can sometimes apply to your settlement. This doesn’t amount to them holding blame, however, but is a voluntary service they may sometimes provide to passengers.
In addition, if your driver is responsible for the injuries you suffer and you can prove that Uber or Lyft were grossly negligent in hiring them, the company can be held accountable. If, for example, the company hired a driver with a criminal record of violent felonies, and they didn’t properly vet that driver, you can hold them responsible if the driver does something awful to you.
When You’re Not a Passenger
If you’re not a passenger—if you’re a pedestrian or another driver, and you’re in a collision where an Uber driver is to blame, your lawsuit will proceed much as any automobile accident. Certainly if the driver is not on duty, Uber has nothing to do with their actions. If they are on duty, however, sometimes Uber’s insurance will cover the accident. In California this applies regardless of whether or not they have a passenger.
Calling an Injury Attorney
This is why it’s so important to call on the services of a Lyft or Uber accident attorney. The right attorney will know who is responsible for your accident, how to hold them accountable, and how to get you the best settlement for your injuries. If you’re in San Francisco and you need help with a ridesharing accident case, call Gruber Law Group for a free consultation today.