Uber and Lyft drivers are routinely used by many in Upper Darby, leading to an increase in accidents. If you were injured in a collision involving an Uber or Lyft rideshare driver, our attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Many rideshare drivers cause accidents by speeding and while distracted by their phones. If you were the passenger in the accident, we will assess the other driver’s negligence to determine if they should be held liable for some of your damages. Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft usually cannot be sued for a driver’s negligence, but they do offer high insurance coverage when an accident with one of their drivers does occur. When insurance is not enough to cover your losses, we will help overcome any limitations to you filing a lawsuit.
To get a free review of your case from our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys, call The Reiff Law Firm today at (215) 709-6940.
Determining the Negligent Parties After an Uber and Lyft Accident in Upper Darby, PA
Typical car accident cases tend to be challenging enough, but when one involves an Uber or Lyft driver, the level of complexity is that much greater. The liability of more parties must be considered, and additional rules are often involved. Still, our experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help reduce the complications and explore how you can recover compensation. One of the first steps our team takes to cover victims’ losses after these accidents is to determine who caused it.
Uber and Lyft Drivers
Our initial assessment of liability will usually focus on the Uber or Lyft rideshare driver involved in the crash. Uber and Lyft drivers have a financial incentive to complete as many rides as possible since the more passenger trips they complete, the more money they make. Because of this, many Uber and Lyft accidents are caused by speeding and reckless rideshare drivers.
Distracted driving causes countless other accidents, as rideshare drivers must constantly check their phone’s GPS, as well as view and accept new rides while transporting their current passenger.
It is also common for Uber and Lyft drivers to cause accidents because they are too tired after several continuous hours on the road and interacting with customers.
Our team can gather evidence, like phone and employee records, to determine if the rideshare driver was on the road too long, distracted by their phone at the time of the crash, or has a history of reckless driving.
Uber and Lyft
It is reasonable to assume that Uber and Lyft should be held responsible for their negligent rideshare drivers, but unfortunately, this is generally not the case. Uber and Lyft drivers are not employees in the traditional sense, as they technically do not work for but work with these companies. Under this arrangement, rideshare drivers are classified as “independent contractors.” This classification provides Uber and Lyft a shield from being held accountable in a legal claim, so they cannot be held vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence like companies with typical employees.
That will not stop our team from investigating whether Uber or Lyft’s business practices contributed to your injuries. For instance, perhaps the company brushed aside a driver’s history of traffic violations and reckless driving or did not bother to conduct the minimum background check. In such cases, we might be able to sue Uber or Lyft for negligent hiring practices.
Other Drivers
Just because a rideshare driver acts negligently does not mean that the other driver involved in the accident also acted carelessly. Our team will investigate whether other drivers are partially or completely responsible for the collision. The rideshare driver might have been following every rule of the road, as their income depends on it, and the other driver cut them off. If the Uber or Lyft driver was speeding and could not react to the other driver’s illegal lane change, they both should be held liable for their share of your damages.
How to Recover Compensation for Damages Sustained in an Upper Darby, PA Uber and Lyft Accident
Recovering compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident can be a highly confusing process for those not familiar with filing claims. Usually, the first step is to review the insurance options available to you.
Rideshare drivers must have personal auto insurance but must also carry additional coverage since they provide transportation services to customers. If you do not have insurance or your coverage is insufficient to pay your losses, we can turn to the rideshare driver’s policies to fill the gap.
Uber and Lyft also provide insurance options based on the rideshare driver’s work status at the time of the crash. If the driver was on their own time and did not have the app on, Uber and Lyft insurance will not be offered. Drivers waiting to accept a ride but not carrying passengers are considered on duty, so the company’s insurance might cover up to $50,000 for injuries per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage. Potential rideshare company coverage is increased to $1,000,000 when a driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or already transporting them.
If you have auto insurance, we can help you file a claim to cover economic losses, like medical bills and lost wages. However, insurance will not cover your pain and suffering non-economic damages. To get compensation for their pain and suffering, victims usually must file a lawsuit.
Pennsylvania is a “tort” state, so only people with “full tort” coverage can file a lawsuit immediately after an accident to recover all their damages. Victims with a “limited tort” policy must show that they suffered serious injuries as defined by 75 Pa.C.S. § 1702 to file a lawsuit or will be limited to only recovering economic damages. In such cases, our attorneys will gather medical evidence and work with experts to overcome this threshold.
Call Our Upper Darby, PA Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Today to Discuss How to Cover Your Losses
Contact The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 for a free case assessment with our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers.
