Who Is at Fault in A Rideshare Accident?

In and around big cities across the country, Uber and Lyft are responsible for transporting millions of commuters each and every day. Uber and Lyft are both ridesharing companies which have become famous in recent years for transforming transportation in metropolitan areas. Similar to taxis, ridesharing allows people who need a ride to find one within minutes. Unlike taxi services, drivers for ridesharing companies use their personal vehicles to provide transportation to customers and to perform delivery services.

One question that comes up rather often regarding ridesharing is the question of “What happens in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle?” We’re going to delve into the details of that question and discover how fault is determined if you are in an accident with a rideshare car.

Multiple Parties Involved in Rideshare Accidents

The number of parties involved in rideshare accidents is a factor that can make this situation confusing. Parties to consider are:

• Rideshare drivers

• The other car’s driver

• Rideshare passengers

• The rideshare company

In a rideshare accident, the rideshare company and passenger come into play only if the driver is actively carrying out a ride for the rideshare company and has his/her app turned on. When that’s the case, all of the aforementioned parties are taken into account when determining fault. Of course, just like every accident, who is at fault is highly dependent on the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Understanding Rideshare Insurance

Insurance plays an important role in every car accident. In rideshare accidents, however, the situation surrounding insurance can be confusing if you don’t understand how rideshare insurance works.

RIDESHARE DRIVERS HAVE SPECIAL INSURANCE POLICIES

Companies like Uber and Lyft do not automatically cover drivers with insurance. Likewise, insurance companies do not automatically cover rideshare vehicles under typical policies. Therefore, rideshare drivers are responsible for carrying the appropriate auto insurance policy.

In most states, major insurance companies such as Allstate, State Farm, and Farmer’s offer specific rideshare policies for customers in the trade. When purchasing these policies, it’s the responsibility of the driver to obtain the appropriate limits of insurance to cover damages to their vehicle and medical expenses should an accident occur.

ALL RIDESHARE COMPANIES OFFER DRIVERS LIABILITY INSURANCE

All rideshare drivers must have proof of insurance to drive for companies like Lyft and Uber. To help ensure all drivers have access to insurance, all rideshare companies offer drivers the opportunity to purchase liability insurance directly from them. It’s important to note that this insurance is only in effect when the driver is carrying out a ride for the rideshare company.

Trusted Rideshare Car Accident Lawyers in South Florida

The best course of action to take if you’re involved in a rideshare accident is to contact a trusted car accident attorney. In and around South Florida, The Law Offices of McCullough and Leboff P.A. are experienced in rideshare accidents and can uncover the evidence surrounding your accident to determine which party was at fault. Our trusted attorneys are members of the American Bar Association and highly rated on Avvo.com
To start investigating your accident today, call our offices or contact us using our online form today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.