Who is liable if you are injured in a ride sharing crash?
Ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft have become phenomenally popular in recent years. Despite the usefulness and immense mainstream appeal of ride sharing, there have been a number of accidents associated with these services. From serious car accidents to several instances of violence by ride sharing drivers, ride sharing passengers need to be prepared to take action if they are injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. Our New Jersey
personal injury lawyers explore who is liable for a Lyft or Uber accident and what you should do if injured in a ride sharing crash.
Liability for Lyft or Uber Accidents
Ride sharing company drivers are required to have their own personal insurance. Generally, drivers are not required to take out a commercial automobile insurance policy. This can present serious problems for injured ride sharing passengers. When an accident occurs, a passenger may attempt to collect insurance proceeds from the Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance company. Often, the insurance company will deny the claim, stating that the policy does not cover a commercial accident.
In addition to the driver’s own insurance policy, both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies in place that will kick in if the driver is logged into the app and carrying a passenger at the time of the crash. Uber and Lyft both offer a one-million-dollar liability policy, but these policies are only involved if certain conditions are met. At times, the ride sharing company may hold additional liability if they failed to conduct a proper background check on the driver.
What To Do If You Are In a Ride Sharing Accident
If you are in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you should gather as much information about the driver and ride sharing company as possible. Take down the name of the company, the driver’s contact information, and their insurance information. Decide as soon as possible after the crash whether you will hire a car accident lawyer. Ride sharing accidents often involve complex liability issues and multiple potential defendants. Anyone who has suffered a serious injury in a ride sharing crash should seek experienced legal counsel.