Getting into an accident with a rideshare driver, such as an Uber or Lyft driver, is different from getting into an accident with other drivers. This is because rideshare drivers operate as independent contractors.
They are not official employees, they drive their own cars, and they do not have a CDL like traditional cab drivers and other hired professional drivers. The causes of rideshare accidents can also differ from the causes of other kinds of car accidents.
As such, when a person files a rideshare or Uber accident insurance claim, the case will be handled a little differently than a regular car accident claim. Rideshare cases can be complex and challenging for this reason, and it is often necessary to work with an experienced California rideshare accident attorney to ensure your case is handled properly and to make sure you get the settlement you deserve.
Causes of Rideshare Accidents
A rideshare accident can happen for the same reasons as any other kind of accident, such as speeding, running red lights, and disobeying other traffic laws. However, some unique situations tend to only happen with rideshare drivers that separate these accidents from other kinds of accidents. These include:
- Navigation errors that cause a rideshare driver to get confused or make a wrong turn when following directions to pick up or drop off their passengers.
- Becoming distracted while scanning for passengers that are getting picked up instead of paying attention to the road.
- Pulling over in dangerous or unsafe areas while picking up or dropping off passengers.
- Talking to passengers and looking at passengers in the back seat instead of paying attention to the road.
- Fatigue from working long driving shifts.
How Rideshare Accidents Claims Differ From Other Car Accident Claims
Not only are the causes of rideshare accidents sometimes different from other accidents, but the claims process can also vary. Two primary factors make rideshare accident claims unique from other car accident claims: (1) Insurance Coverage and (2) Liability.
1. Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Accidents
The compensation you recover for a rideshare accident will depend on how the accident occurred. If you were at fault for the accident as another driver, you would need to turn to your insurance policy for coverage. If another driver was at-fault, you would go after their insurance company for compensation. But if a rideshare driver was at-fault, the insurance coverage will depend on whether the driver was on active duty or not.
So, the answer to the common question—does Uber insurance cover accidents?—will depend on whether the driver was actively working or not.
For example, if an Uber driver causes an accident while they are not on active duty, meaning they are not on their way to pick up a passenger, nor do they have a passenger in their car, then the driver’s private insurance policy would cover the accident.
If an Uber driver is at fault for an accident when they are en route to pick up a passenger or if passengers are in their vehicle, then Uber’s insurance policy will kick in and cover those who were injured. The same goes for Lyft accidents as well.
Uber provides up to $1 million in coverage if passengers are in the rideshare vehicle or if they are being picked up. If the Uber driver is working but does not have someone in their vehicle and is not on the way to get someone, the coverage drops to $50,000 per person injured.
And again, if the Uber driver is not working when they cause an accident, their private insurance will cover the damages.
2. Liability for Rideshare Accidents
Liability with rideshare accidents can also get tricky. It can be hard to determine if the rideshare driver was at fault, if another driver was at fault, or even if a third party was at fault, such as a car manufacturer or municipality responsible for keeping the roads safe.
When people get into an accident with a rideshare driver, they automatically want to blame the rideshare company. But Uber as a company is not necessarily responsible for what happened. And if Uber or Lyft are responsible, they have their own legal teams to defend them that can make getting the compensation you deserve challenging.
So when it comes to rideshare accidents, your best course of action is to work with your own experienced rideshare attorney. They can guide you through the process and will know who to hold accountable and how to ensure the guilty party pays you the full settlement you deserve.
We Handle Your Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
At Sally Morin, we truly care about our clients. California is the birthplace of ridesharing, so we have years of experience handling these kinds of cases and know what it takes to ensure our clients are adequately compensated for their injuries and other damages.
Call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
