Uber and similar ride-sharing companies have become ubiquitous almost overnight, challenging traditional taxi services in cities across the country – and the world. Unheard of a few short years ago, Uber, Lyft, Sidecar and the like are now everywhere. You log into the service’s app on your phone, order a ride, and hop in the car once it arrives. Most of the time, you easily get to your destination at a good price. But what about ride-share passengers whose journey ends in an accident?
Uber gives its drivers advice to follow in the event of an accident; you should follow it, too
Uber covers its drivers in the event they have an accident while their Uber app is active. This insurance applies while you are in the Uber driver’s car, Uber says. The insurance covers driver liability as well as uninsured drivers who are at fault, with limits of $1 million. Uber also offers its drivers the following advice, which Uber riders (as well as users of other rideshare services) should follow immediately after an accident:
- Check that all parties involved are safe
- Notify police and paramedics, if necessary
- Contact us
To protect their legal rights, riders should document as best they can the circumstances of their ride-share accident. While Uber and Lyft offer $1 million coverage—higher than that offered by many taxi companies—the two companies also contend that their drivers are third-party independent contractors. Because of this, Uber and Lyft claim that they are not liable for their drivers’ actions. This could potentially limit riders’ ability to sue ride-sharing companies for damages in accidents that go beyond the insurance policy limits.
Call Today to Speak With a Houston Uber Accident Lawyer
Even though Uber and Lyft have insurance that covers their drivers’ liabilities should an accident occur while you are a rider, such insurance may prove inadequate. If you are injured in an accident while using a rideshare service, it is wise to explore your compensation options. You may be entitled to compensation beyond the ride-share service’s insurance. For a free case evaluation to see whether you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, contact Stewart J. Guss, attorney at law, by calling 800-898-4877 or sending us an email through our online contact form.