One of the most ingenious inventions of the 21st-century is that of the ride-sharing service. Users who download a mobile application can quickly and easily request transportation, while people who are looking for part-time work can provide this service without going through the expensive and complicated process of securing taxi driver permissions and medallions.
However, with this new take on private transportation comes new legal complications. If an Uber or Lyft driver injures a passenger or another driver in an accident, who is responsible for paying for those injuries?
At The Law Office of Fredson and Statmore, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients injured in car accidents of all kinds, including rideshare accidents in Bloomfield.
Who Is Responsible for a Rideshare Accident?
As a general rule of thumb, businesses are responsible for the actions of their employees; for example, if a truck driver causes an accident and injury to another party, the trucking company, and the company that hired them, can often be held liable in a truck accident injury claim.
However, when it comes to rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, since the drivers who work for them set their own hours, choose when and where they want to work, and are responsible for their own taxes, many courts do not consider rideshare drivers actual employees of the company they work for.
This can make recovering compensation for injuries caused by rideshare drivers in Bloomfield much more complicated than in a typical personal injury case.
Contingent Insurance and What It Means for Your Rideshare Accident Injury Claim
Following public backlash from a 2013 incident involving an Uber driver and the wrongful death of several innocent pedestrians, Uber has begun to offer what is known as “contingent insurance” for its drivers.
Contingent insurance means that Uber, and other rideshare services which offer contingent insurance, are responsible for injury claims only if and when the rideshare driver’s own insurance policy is insufficient for covering the total amount of compensation necessary.
Furthermore, your own insurance policy may provide some coverage depending on the situation, and the exact terms of your policy.
Considering the many complexities of Bloomfield car insurance laws, if you are injured in a car accident or an accident with a rideshare driver, it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney. Your attorney can review your insurance policy, and the policy of any other drivers involved in your accident, in order to provide you with a clearer picture of what options you have regarding securing compensation, and how exactly to secure that compensation.
What Injury Coverage Do I Have as a Rideshare Driver?
Many Bloomfield rideshare companies provide insurance coverage to their drivers in several accident scenarios.
Uber for example provides third party liability coverage of $1,000,000, uninsured or underinsured motorist injury coverage of $1,000,000, and contingent collision coverage up to the amount of the actual cash value of your vehicle.
However, these coverages depend on where you are in the rideshare process, i.e. app on waiting for a request, driving to pick up a passenger, transporting a passenger, and offline. For a more complete overview of the insurance coverage Uber provides for its drivers, you can view their insurance information page here.
Contact Our Bloomfield Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today
At The Law Office of Fredson and Statmore, our attorneys have extensive experience recovering financial compensation for clients involved in car and motor vehicle accidents of all kinds, including accidents involving rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
Whether your avenue to compensation is through your own insurance company, through the insurance company of another driver, or through the insurance provider of rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, our firm has the legal knowledge, trial experience, and attention to detail necessary to successfully recovering full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and emotional and physical pain and suffering.
To speak with our firm today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your rideshare accident in Bloomfield, contact us today.
