Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity and offer a convenient and cost-effective way to get around. But what happens when your ride takes a turn for the worse and you are involved in a car accident that results in serious injuries, medical bills, and lost time from work?

Seeking compensation after a rideshare accident is more complicated than a standard car accident because more parties may be involved, and the rideshare company may bear some legal liability for passenger injuries.

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost time from work, and other damages you incurred. But you may find that working with a commercial insurance carrier makes resolving your claim substantially more complicated.

The rideshare accident lawyers at Robenalt Law can evaluate your situation, provide advice and legal guidance, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help.

Common Causes of Ridesharing Accidents

Driver error is a common cause of rideshare accidents. Rideshare drivers are more likely to drive recklessly and may not be paying attention because they are looking for their next passenger or interacting with the ridesharing app.

Common causes of rideshare accidents include:

• Unexpected stops as passengers enter or exit the vehicle
• A distracted driver who was looking at the ridesharing app or following GPS directions
• A sleepy driver who has been behind the wheel for too long
• Driving or stopping in restricted areas
• An aggressive driver trying to squeeze in one more fare
• Unsafe or aggressive driving such as improper passing, tailgating, or unexpected lane change
• Poor vehicle maintenance or defective safety equipment

Who Is Liable in a Ridesharing Accident?

Like all drivers, people who drive for rideshare companies are required to carry automobile insurance. However, in addition to the driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company has a commercial insurance policy that might cover your claim.

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, it is highly improbable that you caused it. Determining who will provide compensation after a rideshare accident is complicated and typically involves at least three insurance policies: the rideshare driver’s, the other driver’s, and the rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy.

If the driver of the other car was clearly liable for causing the accident, their insurance company should cover your claim. But if there is any question about who caused the accident, expect a fight, as the insurance companies may try to deny your claim, dispute who caused the accident, or claim that their insurance policy does not apply.

Understanding Ridesharing Insurance Requirements

If you were injured in a ridesharing accident, it is important to understand the insurance policies of ridesharing companies. These policies provide insurance coverage for various types of damages, but recovering the compensation you deserve can be difficult, and you may find that fighting with a commercial insurance carrier adds a layer of complexity to your claim.

Previously, Uber and Lyft tried to avoid liability for ridesharing accidents by claiming their drivers were operating as independent contractors. This argument has largely failed, and rideshare companies are required to provide liability insurance coverage in certain circumstances.

Uber and Lyft carry commercial insurance policies that offer up to $1 million in insurance coverage. But recovering the compensation you deserve can be challenging. You will benefit from working with an experienced rideshare accident attorney who understands the complex insurance policies that apply and can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

The availability of insurance coverage in a rideshare accident generally depends on the status of the driver.

• If the driver was “off the clock” and not using the ridesharing app, the parent company is unlikely to extend insurance coverage and the driver is only covered under their personal automobile insurance policy.
• If the driver was using the app, especially if they were carrying a passenger or on the way to pick up a passenger, the rideshare company’s insurance policy should apply.

Proving Liability in a Ridesharing Accident

While resolving a personal injury claim involving a ridesharing company presents unique challenges, there are some advantages. Rideshare companies have additional information your attorney can use to prove liability. Your rideshare accident lawyer can request GPS, cellular, and other electronic data to prove your identity and that you were, in fact, in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Your rideshare accident lawyer may be able to use rideshare app data to prove the driver was distracted when the collision occurred. Ridesharing app data should show whether the driver was using the app or texting at the time of the crash, and your lawyer could use GPS information to prove the driver was speeding when the crash occurred.

Rideshare companies also have information about the driver they obtained during a pre-employment background check, such as information about prior accidents, insurance information, and the make, model, and condition of the vehicle.

How a Ridesharing Accident Attorney Can Help

If you were injured in a ridesharing accident, our experienced rideshare accident lawyers can shoulder the burden of navigating the complex insurance claims process and maximizing your financial recovery, so you can focus on healing.

Rideshare accident lawyer Tom Robenalt began his career working for a large insurance defense firm in Cleveland. He learned how insurance companies and defense lawyers evaluate and defend car accident and other negligence claims. Today, he uses that experience to seek justice for people who were harmed by the wrongful acts of others.

Contact Robenalt Law Today

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus and handles rideshare accident claims throughout Ohio and nationwide.

Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535or our Columbus office at (614)-695-3800 or contact us online to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.