Uber accidents involving a car accident with a rideshare service is becoming more common. Equally, and as common, taxi and Lyft accidents are increasing in number. The most complicated part of these accident types is knowing who is liable and who will pay for injuries. Is the driver of the taxi/rideshare vehicle liable? Or is the company for which they work liable? Whose insurance is responsible for paying? What if the taxi/rideshare driver was not working at the time the accident occurred?
Who’s At Fault in Uber Accidents Involving Rideshares and Taxis
Determining fault in accidents involving rideshares and taxis is the same as determining fault in all other types of motor vehicle accidents, and requires an investigation into who acted negligently. Assuming you are the passenger in a rideshare/taxi at the time that the vehicle is struck by another car (the driver of which was at fault), the other driver’s insurance will be responsible for paying for injuries.
But what if you are involved in Uber accidents as a passenger where the driver of your vehicle (rideshare/taxi) is at fault? Who pays then?
Insurance for Rideshares and Taxis
In a rideshare service, drivers use their own vehicles. As such, the drivers have a legal obligation to ensure that they carry private car insurance up to the legal limits. If one of these drivers is involved in an accident that they cause while they are off the clock, so to speak, then their private insurance will pay for damages.
However, rideshare companies also have an obligation to provide their drivers with insurance as well. For example, an Uber driver who is driving for Uber at the time that an accident occurs is covered by the company’s insurance. The same is true for taxi drivers: the company for which they work provides them with insurance coverage that will pay for injuries to them or their passengers while on the job.
While rideshare drivers and taxi cabs drivers are often considered to be independent contractors, some courts have found these drivers to be considered employees. As such, if you wanted to pursue legal action against a rideshare/taxi driver, the company for which they work may be held liable under the theory of vicarious liability.
If you have been in an accident where you were operating a rideshare/taxi, or were acting as a passenger in one at the time of Uber accident, it is within your best interest to contact an Uber accidents attorney who can work on your behalf to recover the maximum amount of damages possible.
For more questions about how to file a claim after Uber accidents, the benefits of hiring an Uber accidents attorney, how much your claim may be worth, and more, contact the experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyers at Rowe & Hamilton, Attorneys at Law, today.
