While rideshare apps have skyrocketed in popularity over the last several years, the companies operating these apps are still far from perfect when it comes to their processes for reviewing and hiring qualified drivers. The fact is, plenty of unsafe drivers carry passengers for apps like Uber and Lyft, and those drivers sometimes end up causing wrecks that injure not only themselves but also their passengers and other people outside their vehicle.
Fortunately, you likely have some options for financial recovery after an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Avondale which you might not have access to after other types of auto wrecks. Getting the most money possible from those options can be trickier than you might expect, which is why you should make it a priority to speak with an experienced car accident attorney from Phillips Law Group as soon as possible after an incident of this nature.
Even though people who drive for Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare apps get paid directly through the app by the companies that own and operate those apps, they are legally considered “independent contractors” rather than “employees” of those companies. This means that with very few exceptions, it is not possible to file a suit directly against a rideshare company over an accident caused by one of their drivers.
Instead, the fault for a rideshare accident in Avondale generally lies with someone directly involved in the incident, although it should be emphasized that this does not mean an individual rideshare driver is always the sole person at fault, or even that they are at fault at all. For instance, if someone riding in an Uber gets hurt because their Uber driver advanced lawfully through a green light and was T-boned by someone else running a red light, that other driver would be the one at fault for the incident for the purposes of both insurance and a possible civil claim.
Regardless of whether their driver was at fault for the crash or not, Uber and Lyft both provide fairly comprehensive insurance coverage to passengers and other people injured in wrecks involving rideshare vehicles.
If a rideshare driver is logged into their respective app and is either carrying a passenger or traveling towards an accepted ride request, both companies provide up to $1,000,000 of liability insurance coverage. If the driver is logged in but has not accepted a ride request, Uber’s insurance typically provides up to $50,000 of coverage for a single person’s injuries, $100,000 for all injuries in a single wreck, and $25,000 for all property damage in a single wreck.
If insurance does not cover all losses stemming from an Uber or Lyft crash in Avondale, a lawsuit or settlement demand against the individual(s) at fault for causing the crash can seek additional restitution for losses like lost work income, physical pain, and psychological suffering and distress. Guidance from capable legal counsel can be key to making the most of all available paths toward financial recovery without running into legal or procedural roadblocks along the way.
Getting involved in a traffic accident while riding in a rideshare vehicle is not anyone’s idea of a good time, and more than inconvenient, this sort of wreck can be expensive, debilitating, and even life-changing depending on the injuries it causes. You deserve to receive fair financial compensation for your damages, and you should have help from skilled legal representatives to get it.
Achieving a favorable case result after an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Avondale is not something you should expect to accomplish alone. Please don’t hesitate to call today to learn how a dedicated attorney from Phillips Law Group can assist you. Our consultations are free, and you are under no obligation to move forward with us after your initial evaluation. Contact us now to learn more!
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