In recent years, an increasing number of individuals have turned to rideshare services as a means of transportation within the city. Services like Uber offer convenient alternatives to navigating heavy downtown traffic and searching for parking in congested areas. Unfortunately, the increase in rideshare vehicles on the road has led to more Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Oakwood.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The seasoned auto wreck lawyers at Smith Hulsey Law are prepared to help you fight for your deserved compensation.
Like other automobile accidents, Uber/Lyft/rideshare crashes in Oakwood often result from reckless driving. However, rideshare drivers may be particularly prone to certain types of errors due to the nature of their work.
Rideshare drivers only get paid if they complete their rides. Therefore, the more rides they accept and complete, the greater their earnings. Due to this incentive, some drivers may attempt to maximize their income by exceeding speed limits to complete assignments faster and increase their availability.
Rideshare drivers rely heavily on their cell phones for their work since the apps on their devices allow them to accept new ride requests. In their eagerness to accept a new assignment, they might not pull over to a safe location before accessing their phone. Additionally, rideshare drivers frequently operate in unfamiliar areas, so they must often look at GPS directions to reach their destination.
Many rideshare drivers take on this work as a secondary source of income. They may work standard nine-to-five jobs during the week and drive for Lyft or Uber at night or on the weekends. This demanding schedule can result in motorists driving without sufficient rest, increasing the risk of accidents.
A dedicated attorney at Smith Hulsey Law could thoroughly investigate the crash to determine whether the Uber or Lyft driver acted negligently.
If the rideshare driver is found to be at fault for the accident, injured individuals could recover damages from the driver. However, the driver’s insurance policy might not cover the total cost of the injured person’s losses. Consequently, someone may wonder if they can also pursue a claim against the rideshare company. Since rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, the company is typically not vicariously liable for their drivers’ negligent actions in Uber/Lyft/rideshare collisions in Oakwood.
Fortunately, the rideshare company’s supplemental insurance may cover certain costs from the accident. These policies apply only under specific circumstances when the driver is actively working, and the levels of coverage can vary significantly. For instance, if an accident occurred while the rideshare driver was not logged into the app, the insurance would not apply. Minimal coverage may be available if the accident happened while the driver was logged into the app but was not transporting a passenger.
In cases where an accident occurred while the driver was actively driving a passenger, the highest insurance coverage would apply. A trusted lawyer could help an injured person identify which levels of supplemental insurance might apply to their case.
Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Oakwood can result in severe injuries. These incidents are often more complex due to challenges in determining liability and navigating different applicable insurance policies.
At Smith Hulsey Law, we are dedicated to helping individuals get the justice they deserve by protecting their rights and ensuring their voices are heard. Our experienced attorneys could evaluate your accident and assess if you have a viable case to pursue compensation. Seek the services of our lawyers today to explore your legal options.
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