Ridesharing is a service that arranges one-way
transportation on short notice. Uber and Lyft are the biggest ridesharing
companies in the US.
Users take approximately 28 million trips per day. With such
a high number of rides, accidents involving ridesharing services are bound to
increase.
If you're ever involved in an accident with such a company, hiring ridesharing accident attorneys will improve your chances of winning your
case.
Who’s liable in a ridesharing accident?
Typically, multiple parties can be held responsible in an
accident involving ridesharing vehicles. This may include:
- The driver
- The ridesharing company
- A third party that caused the accident, like another
driver or a pedestrian
Usually, the person who caused the accident has to pay for
damages. As a passenger, you can never be held liable for an accident.
Ridesharing companies
The ridesharing company can be held responsible for an accident if it fails to conduct the
necessary background checks on a driver, such as criminal history or driving
experience, which led to the accident.
The ridesharing company can also be held liable for any
information about the driver it had access to but ignored. For example, if the
driver had a history of mental illness, which the company was aware of, the
company could be sued for negligence.
Ridesharing companies don’t cover drivers if the accident
happens while they're using the vehicle for personal use or they're not
actively driving with a passenger.
Drivers
Drivers can be held responsible for accidents that were
caused due to their negligence, such as not paying attention while driving,
overspeeding, or breaking the law in any other way.
Companies typically classify drivers as independent
contractors, which absolves them of blame during accidents. This basically
means that drivers aren’t considered full-time employees and don't receive the
same benefits or coverage from the company.
Other parties
If the accident occurred solely due to the actions of a third
party, neither the driver nor the company can be held liable. Some examples
include:
1. Pedestrians or other people on the road can be held
liable if a rule-breaking action, such as crossing the road at a red light,
caused the accident.
2. Property owners can be held liable if their actions, such
as placing an obstruction on the road like a banner or a billboard, cause an
accident.
3. Government agencies can be held responsible if poorly
maintained roads or improper roadwork lead to an accident.
4. Vehicle manufacturers can also be held responsible for
accidents if it is discovered that a faulty part caused them.
Steps to follow if you’re in a ridesharing accident
If you’re involved in a ridesharing accident, here are the
steps you should follow:
1. Always check if you’re okay and contact emergency
services immediately
2. Contact law enforcement and report the accident
3. Take photos of the accident to serve as proof for your
case
4. File a report using the ridesharing app. Uber and Lyft
have in-app reporting facilities for such incidents
5. Collect the names and numbers of anyone involved in the
crash – this could serve as evidence for your case.
Laws surrounding ridesharing companies and liabilities for
accidents can get complicated. Having the help of seasoned lawyers can help
provide clarity in your case.
