Millions of people work as independent contractors for Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare companies without direct company supervision. Unfortunately, this means irresponsible and even actively dangerous motorists could be driving for these companies. Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Winder often have serious consequences for everyone involved.
If you were injured in a traffic accident involving a rideshare vehicle, either as a passenger or another motorist, you have options for pursuing financial restitution. A seasoned car accident attorney could assist with insurance settlements or civil lawsuits after a rideshare crash, working tenaciously to protect your rights every step of the way.
Since Uber and Lyft drivers work as independent contractors, not full employees, it is not possible to file a lawsuit directly against the rideshare companies they work for. However, pursuing compensation through a rideshare company’s insurance coverage may be an option.
Uber has an insurance policy that provides up to $1,000,000 in coverage for personal injuries as well as $1,000,000 for property damage caused by an accident involving one of their drivers. Someone’s eligibility to receive compensation through this coverage depends on the status of the Uber driver at the time of the crash. This particular insurance policy only applies to crashes that occur when an Uber driver is logged into the app and either carrying a paying passenger or driving toward an accepted ride request.
If an accident occurs when a driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride request, Uber’s insurance may provide up to $50,000 for a single person’s injuries, $100,000 for all injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. If an Uber driver is not logged into the app, the rideshare company will not provide insurance coverage. A legal professional could review the circumstances of an accident involving a rideshare driver to determine whether injured parties are eligible for pursuing compensation through a company’s insurance policies.
If insurance provided by Uber or Lyft does not cover the full effects of a car accident caused by one of their rideshare drivers, it may be possible to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. Injured parties could either look to the rideshare driver’s insurance coverage or, alternatively, file a civil claim holding them personally liable.
Civil litigation over a rideshare crash may allow recovery for more damages than most insurance policies, including both economic and non-economic forms of harm. Examples of recoverable damages in a civil lawsuit include:
While injured parties can pursue insurance claims on a “no-fault” basis, civil litigation requires proving the rideshare driver was directly responsible for an accident. After a serious crash, a Winder attorney could work with injured parties to build the strongest possible claim demonstrating why an Uber/Lyft/rideshare driver should be responsible for covering damages.
While a rideshare driver can be held legally liable for causing a crash, getting a positive result from this sort of claim can be deceptively challenging. If you were injured in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Winder, seeking help from seasoned legal counsel could be essential to get every cent of the compensation you deserve.
Rideshare companies always have seasoned legal representation on their side, so it is not wise to represent yourself in these proceedings. Call today to learn how a dedicated accident lawyer at Smith Hulsey Law could assist you.
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