What Happens if You Get Into a Crash with an Uber or Lyft Driver?
Ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft are taking over the taxi cab industry. Chances are you have already ridden in or at least heard of Uber and Lyft. With these services becoming more common, you are at an increased risk of an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys understand the potential issues involved in ridesharing accidents. There are several parties that could face problems in the event of a ridesharing accident, including the passengers in the other vehicle, the ridesharing passenger, the ridesharing driver and others.
The Major Ridesharing Companies
The ridesharing industry is mainly compromised of two companies: Uber and Lyft. Uber is perhaps the largest ridesharing company and its use has skyrocketed in recent years. Customers can request a ride using an app on their cell phones. They can also pay on their phones and leave or review driver ratings. Competitor Lyft offers a nearly identical service, but tends to operate in smaller cities, as opposed to Uber, which has become ubiquitous in most large cities.
Insurance Requirements
Uber and Lyft requires that their drivers have car insurance and offers supplemental insurance coverage. However, dependent upon the circumstances, the ridesharing company might not offer supplemental insurance, or will reduce its coverage while the driver is not transporting a passenger. As such, if you are hit by an Uber or Lyft driver while the driver is waiting to pick up a passenger, your damages can exceed Uber's insurance coverage.
An additional issue arises for both ridesharing drivers and those injured by them in that traditional insurance policies may not cover ridesharing activity. Many insurance policies have exclusions that include "driver-for-hire." If you are driving for Uber and Lyft and get into an accident, the claim could be denied due to a commercial driving exclusion.
Uber and Lyft drivers will additionally need to investigate whether they must possess a commercial driver's license. Some states will consider ridesharing drivers as commercial drivers, while others will not. Failure to obtain the proper licensing could serve as grounds for negligence if you are involved in an accident.
Uber has faced much litigation after several accidents involving the company. They have responded to some of the issues by offering coverage through the company even while the driver waits for a passenger, but this coverage is limited and subject to exclusions. If you are injured by a ridesharing driver, contact an auto accident attorney for assistance as soon as possible for a free consultation.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Case!
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we fight hard for our clients to receive the justice they deserve following a car accident. Our firm has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://fortune.com/