A lot of Arizona residents who make a living through modern rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are responsible drivers who provide a high-quality and much-needed service to riders all over the Grand Canyon State. Unfortunately, plenty of reckless and careless rideshare drivers are out there who regularly put themselves and their passengers in harm’s way.
Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Flagstaff can serve as grounds for civil litigation just like most other types of auto accidents can, but there are several unique aspects of rideshare crash claims that are worth knowing about in advance. Here is a brief overview of how claims built around wrecks of this nature work and how a seasoned car accident attorney from Phillips Law Group can help you get the best possible resolution from your lawsuit or settlement demand.
Recovering Through Insurance Provided by Rideshare Companies
People who drive for rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are virtually always categorized as “independent contractors” under Arizona employment law. This means the legal doctrine of respondeat superior — which allows employers to be held “vicariously liable” for negligence by their employees — does not apply to rideshare crashes in Flagstaff. Fortunately, both major rideshare companies have extensive liability insurance policies covering everyone involved in an incident with a rideshare driver logged into their respective app.
If the rideshare driver is logged in but has not accepted a ride request yet at the time of their accident, both companies provide up to $50,000 of coverage for a single person’s injuries, $100,000 for all injuries combined, and $25,000 for all property damage stemming from that single accident. If the rideshare driver has accepted a ride request and is either traveling to pick up that rider or is already transporting them, both companies provide up to $1,000,000 of liability insurance coverage for all damages stemming from a single accident.
Filing Suit Directly Against a Negligent Uber or Lyft Driver
If this insurance coverage is not enough to cover all damages stemming from a Flagstaff Uber or Lyft crash, the next course of action would be to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s personal auto accident insurance and then to file a civil lawsuit against them. While the liability insurance mentioned above is available on a “no-fault” basis, a civil lawsuit over this sort of wreck must establish that the named defendant directly caused the wreck through their own “negligence” to compel them to provide compensation.
Put another way, an injured person trying to sue over a rideshare accident must prove their injuries likely would not have happened at all without a specific traffic violation or other irresponsible act — for example, drunk driving, or driving while extremely fatigued — by the Uber or Lyft driver involved. Guidance from experienced legal counsel can be vital to maximizing recovery from all available avenues in a situation like this.
Consider Working With a Flagstaff Attorney on an Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accident Claim
Traffic accidents are always unsettling experiences to go through, but it can be uniquely traumatizing to get hurt in a wreck while you are a passenger with absolutely no control over the vehicle you are riding in. Fortunately, if you are injured in a wreck involving a rideshare driver, you may have additional options for seeking financial recovery that you would likely not have after a crash occurring under other circumstances.
Getting the best possible case outcome following any Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Flagstaff will be much easier with the support of a skilled lawyer from Phillips Law Group. Call today to discuss your potential claim with one of our team members during a no-cost, zero-obligation consultation.
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