Rideshare companies have experienced rapid growth in popularity in recent years. With many new rideshare drivers on the road, it should come as no surprise that many of them are involved in motor vehicle accidents. A car accident injury attorney from our firm could hold those negligent drivers accountable after a crash.
If you were hurt through no fault of your own, you have the right to pursue justice from the rideshare driver that struck you. This process can be complex, as there are often many insurance policies that could be in place for these collisions. Let a Bel Air South personal injury lawyer help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a crash.
What Compensation Could I Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
Curious about your potential rideshare car accident damages? You might be entitled to a range of financial compensation after a collision. The value of your case depends on which of these types of damages you have suffered, as well as your ability to prove them. Our firm could help you pursue the following compensation:
Medical Costs
For many people, facing the sudden and overwhelming cost of medical care is the most stressful part of an accident. When these injuries result from the negligence of a rideshare driver, it could be possible to recover compensation for the cost of that care. You could be entitled to damages based on the cost of treatments like emergency room visits, follow-up care, and surgeries.
Lost Income
If your injuries are significant, you might be forced to take weeks or months off work in order to recover. During this time, you could be missing out on the wages you and your family rely on. A successful personal injury lawsuit against a rideshare driver could allow you to recoup your lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
You might also be entitled to damages based on your physical pain and suffering. Calculating pain and suffering compensation can be challenging, as pain is subjective. It is worth noting that while insurance companies have their own way of calculating the value of these claims, you have the right to reject their offer and ask a jury to award you pain and suffering compensation.
Property Damage
In these accidents, the chances are good that your vehicle suffered significant damage. You could have a case for compensation, whether your vehicle is able to be repaired or if it is a total loss. If your claim is successful, you could recover an award that pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged property.
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Can I Sue a Rideshare Company?
Under the law, the ability to sue a rideshare company after an accident with one of its drivers is limited. This limitation is based on how rideshare drivers are treated according to the law. Instead of employees, these drivers are considered independent contractors.
This distinction is important. If the drivers were considered employees, rideshare companies would be on the hook for their negligence. That is not the case for independent contractors. Take a look below to get an idea of how liability is determined in rideshare accidents.
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Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
Even without the ability to sue rideshare companies directly, it is important to understand you could still have a way to hold them accountable. Rideshare companies are required to provide their drivers with insurance coverage when they are operating on their behalf. This is in addition to the coverage the driver is required to carry on their own.
If a rideshare driver is responsible for your accident, you have the right to pursue a liability claim on their policy. In some cases, you could also file a claim against the rideshare company’s policy, depending on the circumstances. The amount of coverage rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft depend on the actions of the driver.
The amount of insurance offered by the rideshare company depends on a few important factors. Drivers that are actively carrying paying passengers can have up to $1 million in coverage, while other drivers might not be covered by the rideshare company policy at all.
When the Other Driver Is Off-Duty
Because these drivers are freelancers, they are not considered rideshare operators when they are not on duty. That means if they are not using the mobile app to locate customers or transport them to their destination, they are not entitled to coverage from the rideshare company’s insurance policies. In these cases, you will need to pursue compensation from the driver directly.
When the Driver Is On-Duty but Without Passengers
Rideshare companies are required to provide some liability coverage for their drivers, even if they are not actively transporting passengers. Drivers that are using their mobile app to seek available riders receive as much as $100,000 in bodily injury coverage for an accident.
When the Driver Is Carrying Passengers
The highest level of insurance coverage is offered to drivers when they have a passenger. This amount of coverage—which includes as much as $1 million for bodily injuries or property damage—kicks in as soon as a driver agrees to pick up a passenger. This level of coverage remains in effect until the driver drops off their passenger and completes the ride.
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You Could be Entitled to Damages After a Rideshare Accident
If you were injured in an accident with a rideshare driver, you might have a viable case for compensation. This compensation could come from an insurance policy paid for by the rideshare company under certain circumstances.
Untangling these policies to determine who is actually liable for your damages is not always straightforward. The good news is that the team at Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers is ready to help you seek justice. Work with a Bel Air South rideshare accident lawyer today. Call us to start your free consultation.
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