Modern ridesharing was born in California just a little over a decade ago. In that relatively short period, it has become an essential part of many people’s lives. According to Statista, roughly 36% of Americans use ridesharing services regularly – a figure that is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. With increased popularity comes increased numbers of ridesharing accidents, however. Complicating matters is the fact that the laws governing ridesharing accidents are new and evolving. Fortunately, by partnering with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer you can successfully navigate these complex legal issues and ensure that your rights are protected under the law.
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Ridesharing accidents can affect people in several different scenarios. First, you may be riding as a passenger in a vehicle being driven by a driver from Uber, Lyft or another such service. Second, you may be driving your own vehicle and collide with a vehicle being driven by a rideshare driver. Finally, you may be a pedestrian struck by a rideshare driver.
Should you find yourself in one of these situations, your legal options will depend on your jurisdiction, to some degree.
In most states, passengers can sue ridesharing companies if the driver of the vehicle in which they traveled was negligent. However, because drivers are sometimes classified as contractors rather than employees, the rideshare company may choose to contest liability, forcing you to deal with the driver’s personal insurer. In California, however, state regulators have classified rideshare drivers as employees.
If you’re involved in a collision as a passenger and the rideshare driver was not a fault — and the other, at-fault driver left the scene or had no insurance — you may be able to file a claim on the uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance policy carried by the ridesharing company.
If you’re a pedestrian, or driving your own vehicle, and you’re involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, you may be able to pursue a claim against either the driver or the rideshare company. This will depend on whether the rideshare driver was on duty or logged in and waiting for a call at the time of the collision.
Given the complexity of these scenarios and the laws that govern ridesharing collisions, it often makes sense to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to help you navigate the best course.
At Bloom Injury Law, we believe in providing a voice for victims. We pride ourselves on providing clients with constant communication and compassion — part of our commitment to peerless customer service.
