Rideshare services are often used by people for safety reasons. Using Uber or Lyft to get directly from your home to your destination and back in a private car can be safer and easier than using public transportation. Rideshare services can also provide a safe and sober ride home for people who have been drinking. However, rideshare drivers are not always safe drivers themselves. They are just as likely – or perhaps even more likely – than any other driver to make a mistake or to drive carelessly without paying close attention to the road. Because rideshare drivers spend most of their working hours on the road, they may develop a false sense of security, and they may begin to feel more comfortable using their cell phones behind the wheel or driving more quickly. This can be dangerous not only for their passengers, but to everyone else who happens to be on or near the road. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be wondering what happened and how you are going to get the compensation you need.
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC is experienced in helping people who have been injured by negligent rideshare drivers.
Many are surprised to learn that Uber or Lyft is usually not generally the party responsible for compensating you, even when one of their drivers causes an accident. Uber and Lyft drivers are generally independent contractors rather than employees, which can make it very difficult or impossible to hold these companies liable for their drivers’ mistakes. This does not mean you are out of luck – both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry their own car insurance in addition to providing supplemental insurance policies that can help to cover your costs.
