Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are rapidly replacing taxi services in many areas of the country – according to Uber, the distance their cars traveled in the last 5 years is equivalent to a round trip to Saturn. As these cars are involved in more and more auto accidents, however, lawmakers are taking a closer look at who is actually liable when rideshares crash.
Injured in a Uber, Lyft, or Sidecar accident? Contact us today for a free case consultation.
Drivers Are Independent Contractors
There are a number of ongoing court battles regarding the employment status of Uber and Lyft drivers – specifically, whether they should be classified as independent contractors or employees. While this status holds all sorts of implications for the drivers, it will also affect passengers injured in their cars.
The Driver Uses Their Own Insurance
Although Lyft and Uber do cover their drivers with a limited insurance plan, this only pays secondary damages for losses that are not covered by the driver's personal policy. This creates a legal "gray area," as most insurance companies only cover the use of a car for personal use.
As a result, a number of victims have suffered serious injury, yet have had a difficult time recovering the compensation they need and deserve. One of the most heartbreaking cases involves a 6-year-old girl who was struck and killed by an Uber driver. Her family attempted to sue Uber, but the company denied liability because although the driver was logged into the app, he did not have a passenger with him. Ultimately, they settled the case out of court for an undisclosed sum (the driver is also facing criminal charges).
We Can Help You Pursue Fair Compensation
These issues are currently being debated in the courts, and it is extremely likely that more regulations will be coming soon for the rideshare industry. In the meantime, however, victims of Uber and Lyft accidents will want to name all potentially liable parties in their personal injury claims.
At The Law Offices of Stipe & Belote, our award-winning Oklahoma car accident attorneys have more than 40 years of collective legal experience. When you retain our firm, we will work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation on your behalf. Our firm is dedicated to injury victims – let us fight for the money you deserve, while you focus on recovery.
Secure the dedicated counsel you need – call (888) 842-1374 today to learn how we can help you and your family.
