Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are becoming more popular with
each passing year. And, as use of these transportation apps continues
to increase, so too does the likelihood of accidents. If you are a passenger
in one of these vehicles when an accident occurs, or even if you are the
driver of the vehicle, it’s important to know who is responsible
and who will pay for damages.
If You Are the Passenger
Your car was in the shop so you took a rideshare to work. On the way there,
the driver was in a crash and you sustained injuries as a result. Who
is responsible for your medical expenses in this case? The answer may
be more complicated than you think. If the other driver was at-fault,
their insurance company should pay for damages just like any other traffic
collision. However, if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured,
most rideshare companies will take care of your medical expenses because
they are covered by liability insurance for up to $1 million. This coverage
is also available if the driver of the vehicle you were in is found responsible
for the crash.
If You Are the Driver
Things become more complicated if you were the driver of a rideshare vehicle
involved in an auto accident. Firstly, the type and amount of coverage
you are allotted changes based on whether your rideshare app was on at
the time of the collision and whether you had a passenger in the car with
you. If your app wasn’t at the time of the collision, the sole responsibility
will lie with you and your private insurance company. This is because
rideshare companies hire drivers as ‘independent contractors’
and don’t take responsibility for your actions if you aren’t
on the clock.
If your app was on as you were on your way to or just finished dropping
off a passenger, the rideshare company will pay for some damages, but
not all. The amount they will pay is dramatically smaller than if you
are with a passenger.
If you were involved in an accident with no passenger in the car, the rideshare
company will provide:
- Up to $25,000 per person in property damage
- Up to $50,000 per person in bodily injury
- Up to $100,000 in total in injury per accident
If You Are a Pedestrian
If you were struck by a rideshare vehicle as a pedestrian, the amount you
will receive in damages will be subject to the factors above.
Reach Out to the Tabor Law Firm, LLP
Our firm understands the complexity of a
rideshare automobile accident, and we want to help those who suffered damages as a result of one. If
you are in Indianapolis and are finding it difficult to gain compensation
for an accident of this type, please get in contact with us. We have the
resources, practice, and skill to help you with a case of this intricacy.
Call us today at (317) 236-9000 or
contact us online for a free consultation.
