The use of ride sharing is growing across the country and throughout the states. As a leading form of transportation in many American cities, the number of vehicles on the roads has increased.
With the increasing number of ride sharing vehicles, there are more drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents. You might be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recoup compensation for your damages if you were hit.
You will need to prove that the driver’s actions contributed to the crash, so you can recover damages from his or her insurance. Maintain a file of documentation and evidence to support your personal injury claim.
How Does Ride Sharing Operate?
As a rideshare service, the service transports passengers for a fee. A phone app is used to schedule a ride, to bill passengers, and to accept payments. The phone app is also used by drivers to know when they have a passenger.
The app must be open and operating when a passenger is in transport, so the driver will accurately bill and be protected by their insurance policy. The ride sharing company doesn’t operate, own, or control any of its vehicles. Instead, the drivers are independent contractors who use their personal vehicles for hire.
Who is Liable for Damages Caused by an Accident?
Just as with any other personal injury claim, you will need to prove that the other driver acted in a negligent manner. This means that if you can show that the other driver was negligent, then you can have a successful personal injury claim.
Being hit by a ride sharing vehicle is no different than being hit by any other vehicle. In some states, comparative negligence is used. This means that the involved parties share the cost of the damages in an accident.
You can recover damages if you are no more than 50% at fault for the crash. You can recover damages that are reduced by your percentage of fault for the crash.
Determining Whose Insurance is Liable for the Damages
As an independent contractor, a driver is required to maintain personal auto insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the state’s requirements for insurance. However, personal auto insurance will not cover damages that result while a vehicle is being used for hire.
Instead, that is when the service's coverage will come into play. If a driver is available to accept a fare, some coverage includes $50,000 personal injury liability per person and up to $100,000 personal injury liability per accident.
Consult With A Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been hit, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. Complete the Free Case Evaluation form on this page to get your details shared with an accident injury lawyer who can review your case. There is a two-year statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim after an accident.
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 any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
