A motor vehicle accident can happen to anyone at any time. Even those who drive for a living are not immune to the damages and injuries caused by a car crash.
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are growing in popularity. Many people use these taxi-like services to get from Point A to Point B, especially in downtown areas where parking is limited.
Given that so many people use these services, accidents are bound to occur. So what happens if you are involved in a crash while a passenger inside a vehicle driven by a Lyft or Uber driver? What if you aren’t a passenger and are injured by an Uber for Lyft driver?
Can You Sue?
When an employee causes harm to a customer, you would typically be able to sue the company. However, this is not the process for rideshare companies. Drivers for Uber and Lyft are classified as contractors, not employees. Therefore, you cannot sue the rideshare companies. You could try, but it’s very difficult to hold a company liable for the actions of their contractors. It would probably end up being a waste of time and money. Uber and Lyft have denied liability for accidents in the past.
Not all is lost, though. If you are a passenger at the time of the accident, and your driver is at fault, you are covered under the company’s insurance policy. Both Lyft and Uber have $1 million insurance policies through James River Insurance. If the damages exceed that amount, you would file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and the insurance company (but not Uber or Lyft).
If you are involved in a crash, be sure to get the name of the driver and keep receipts of the ride. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information.
Your lawyer will send letters to the driver and the rideshare company asking them to preserve evidence of your ride. James River Insurance will likely contact you and ask for details about the accident.
If you weren’t a passenger when the accident occurred, the procedures are a bit more complicated. If the driver was not on duty, then you would make a claim with your own personal insurance, just like any other accident.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in an accident while riding in a car driven by a Lyft or Uber driver, it’s important to take legal action. The personal injury lawyers at Harville Law Offices, PLLC can help you file a lawsuit against the appropriate parties and recover compensation.
The legal process is different because rideshare employees are actually contractors. We can assist you in understanding your options for bringing forth a claim. To schedule a free consultation with our Kentucky car accident attorneys, contact us online or give us a call at (502) 245-2333.
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