Would you like to process a claim with your insurer because you got into an accident involving a ridesharing company like Lyft or Uber? Whether you were the driver or passenger in an Uber or you were the passenger or driver in another car that got into an accident with an Uber, you are entitled to certain rights.
Ride sharing is not a new industry and insurance companies have already put in place policies that include ride sharing options and coverage. However, since the industry wasn’t established a long time ago, it’s essential that you only hire a car accident attorney that has dealt with accidents involving ride sharing companies.
Below are some of the common questions that are commonly asked by most of our clients when they book their free initial consultation with us.
If I make a Claim, Will I lose Access to Uber or Lyft?
We understand that you may use Lyft or Uber as a mode of transport or you rely on it as a source of income so it’s not uncommon for people to ask us if they will be able to use ridesharing services in future if they file a claim against them.
The answer is you will not lose access to their services provided your claims are valid. Insurance companies always ensure that their bottom line is not affected in any way so you can be assured that if they find a flaw in your claim they will try as much as possible not to compensate you or at the very least award you with an amount that is way less than you deserve.
The good news is that as long as you have everything documented, then you will get the justice that you deserve. This means that you have all necessary documentation from your doctor, the police and other authorities.
A good a car accident lawyer should help you gather all evidence that you need in order to win your claim. With that being said, if your claim is strong, then Uber or Lyft should not bar your from using their services.
Are Uber and Lyft Cars Commercial Vehicles?
If you are an Uber or Lyft driver, you do not need to register your car as a commercial vehicle. Ride sharing companies claim that they are simply tech companies and they only act as a connect between a person looking for a ride and someone offering a ride at a price. This particular loophole is what excludes them from registering as commercial vehicles.
What Kind of Insurance Does Uber and Lyft Carry?
Because they aren’t registered as commercial vehicles, Uber and Lyft cannot carry the same insurance as other commercial vehicles do. However, they adopted insurance coverage that covers a driver and a passenger the entire time that the app is on.
According to the Transport Network Company Act, rideshare companies must provide coverage of not less than $50, 000 per inured person and not less than $30, 000 for property damage and $100, 000 for all injuries in an accident.
What if You are a Passenger on Lyft or Uber?
If you are injured in an Uber or Lyft, your persona auto insurer won’t compensate you but the rideshare insurance will.
However, a few things must be considered.
1. Was the driver online?
If your Uber driver was not logged into the app while driving you or that your ride was not active on the app, then Uber’s insurance will not be implicated. In such a situation, the driver will be required to provide bodily injury coverage, personal injury protection or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
2. Was the driver picking up a customer?
There are two scenarios to this situation. First, was the driver online waiting or going to pick a customer or second, were they yet to accept a customer’s request for pick up? In the second instance, Uber will cover for damages they cause to anyone or anyone’s property but they won’t cover the driver or their car.
In the first scenario, Uber will cover you for injury to someone or damage to property. If a passenger was with you at the time of the accident, coverage will also extend to them.
We Can Help You if You Get Into an Accident with a Ridesharing Company Car
There are a lot of legal gray areas when it comes to collisions involving Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing companies.
Our experienced attorneys at Kevin P Landry can help clarify everything for you. Liability can be difficult to understand without proper information and so we offer free initial consultations to help determine if you have a case or not.
If you are in Fall River, MA, contact us today at 508-676-0001 to book your consultation.
