Rideshare is growing in popularity. It's a popular form of transportation throughout the country. As the popularity of ride sharing has increased, so has the number of ride sharing vehicles on the road.
With a greater number of vehicles, a greater number of accidents has increased. If you were hit by a ride sharing vehicle, you might be able to recover compensation for your damages by pursuing a personal injury claim against the driver as you would for any other auto accident.
You need to maintain documentation to support your claim and help you prove what happened and which damages you suffered.
How Does Ride Sharing Operate?
A phone app is used to schedule rides, bill customers, and accept payments. This phone app is used by both the passengers and the drivers.
The app must be open and in use by the driver to learn when he or she has a paying customer or when actively transporting. The company's insurance coverage is in effect when the app is open and running.
Ride sharing drivers are third-party contractors who use their own vehicles for fares. The company doesn’t own, operate or control the vehicles.
Who is Liable for the Damages Caused by an Accident?
Just as with any auto accident, you will have to show that a driver’s negligence contributed to the crash. If you can prove that the driver was negligent, you have a successful personal injury claim. If you have been hit, you should consult with a Georgia personal injury attorney.
In some states, comparative negligence is used. This means you can recover compensation for your damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident that resulted. As an example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages in the crash and you were 30% at fault, you can recover up to $70,000 in damages.
Determining Whose Insurance is Liable for the Damages
These drivers are independent contractors who must maintain their own auto insurance coverage. However, if the vehicle is available for hauling a customer or is transporting a client, private auto insurance will most likely not cover any damages because it is being used commercially.
In that case, the ride sharing service's coverage will come into play. If a driver is available for a customer but not transporting, a ride sharing company could have $50,000 per person personal injury liability up to $100,000 personal injury coverage per accident along with $25,000 property damage coverage.
If the the driver is hauling a passenger, there is a $1 million liability policy in effect.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured when you were hit, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. In some states, there is a two-year statute of limitations to pursue a personal injury claim.
If you wait too long, you cannot be compensated for your losses. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page, so you can get your claim on track.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Uber, or another party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
