Ridesharing Auto Accidents
Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft can make the roads safer and keep travel convenient. If you are going to be drinking during the evening, a ridesharing app can help you avoid drinking and driving. If you need to just get from your home to the airport, ridesharing apps make it simple. However, we all know that auto accidents can happen any time and anywhere, even in an Uber or Lyft.
Here and Chanfrau & Chanfrau, we want to take all kinds of injuries and collisions seriously. The team at our Daytona Beach, FL office would like to consider the legal issues surrounding ridesharing accidents and how our lawyers can help.
How Common Are Ridesharing Auto Accidents?
Since ridesharing apps are relatively new, there is very little data on ridesharing collisions gathered by law enforcement at the moment. Police officers aren’t always great at keeping tabs on Uber or Lyft crashes when they are recorded, though it’s likely that authorities are changing data collection to reflect the realities of modern transportation.
What we do have are anecdotal stories in the news when tragedies occur involving ridesharing services, and stories from friends and loved ones who’ve endured these difficulties.
What Happens If an Uber or Lyft Hits Your Car?
Let’s assume in this case that the accident was the fault of an Uber or Lyft driver.
If an Uber or Lyft driver hits your car, damages and injuries will be handled by the ridesharing company’s insurance so long as the vehicle was in the process of picking up or dropping off a passenger. If the Uber or Lyft driver was not in the process of picking up or dropping off a passenger, damage and injuries will be covered by that driver’s own insurance.
What Happens If You Are a Passenger During a Rideshare Accident?
If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft at the time of an accident and sustained injuries, the ridesharing company’s insurance will cover your injuries so long as the app was open/in use at the time of the collision. It’s similar to the circumstances regarding drivers engaged in picking up or dropping off a fare.
The Screening Process for Rideshare Companies
Ridesharing companies have a screening process for hiring their drivers. Typically, a ridesharing company will not hire someone who has had three at-fault incidents on their record in the last five years. Given these hiring practices, Uber and Lyft tend to hire people who are safer than other motorists on the road. At least, that’s what it seems like on paper.
If Uber or Lyft was negligent in their screening and hiring practices, they could have a dangerous driver behind the wheel, putting countless passengers and motorists in danger.
Is the Ridesharing Company Legally Liable?
In many cases, Uber and Lyft try to limit their own legal liability in cases, putting a lot of the responsibility on their drivers in cases of negligence or recklessness. However, if Uber or Lyft subject their drivers to long hours, dangerous conditions, or showed negligence in screening and hiring, they may be liable for a collision occurring.
This is why it’s so important to have skilled attorneys on your side. Our team can give you the information you need to seek justice against the liable party in a collision, and ensure you receive damages for harm that has been sustained.
Contact Our Team of Auto Accident Attorneys
For more information about your legal rights and options following a ridesharing collision, be sure to contact our team of injury accident attorneys. The lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau are here to help you. You can reach our law film by phone at (866) 610-0653.
