Rideshare Accident

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity. With a few taps on your phone, you can have a ride available within minutes. The downside to this convenience is that you are getting into a vehicle with a driver you do not know. There are many issues that can arise if an accident occurs involving a rideshare driver. A rideshare accident can arise from a number of situations including:

• A passenger in the rideshare vehicle

• A driver or passenger in another vehicle involved in an accident with the rideshare vehicle

• A pedestrian who is injured by a rideshare vehicle

Unlike traditional taxi services, rideshare companies are not heavily regulated. To become a rideshare driver, an individual simply fills out an online application, provides certain basic information, undergoes a basic background check, and has his or her vehicle inspected for any maintenance issues. The background check can easily miss serious criminal convictions including those involving a vehicle. Currently, there is no fingerprint requirement for an individual to become a rideshare driver. In other words it is possible for almost anyone to become a rideshare driver.

Insurance coverage can become a tricky issue with rideshare drivers and companies. If a ride is in progress, meaning the rideshare passenger has been picked up, there is generally a $1,000,000.00 insurance policy provided to the driver by the rideshare company. The rideshare company will often have millions more in insurance coverage but will take exhaustive efforts to protect that additional insurance by claiming that there is no direct relationship with the driver. Under Georgia law, the rideshare company will claim that the driver in an “independent contractor” and that you are limited to the $1,000,000.00 policy. An issue also arises as to the amount of insurance coverage that may be available if an accident occurs while the driver is en route to pick up a passenger, or has just dropped off a passenger.

It is important to speak with an attorney experienced in rideshare accident claims in order to determine what insurance is available and whether the rideshare company may also be responsible. Zach has successfully handled rideshare cases and has tremendous knowledge of the issues presented with insurance coverage and who is responsible. He has even deposed a rideshare company at the corporate level to establish evidence that both the driver and the company are responsible. He is also familiar with rideshare companies’ internal policies and procedures that must be followed, and how the rideshare vehicles are tracked by time and speed by the rideshare companies. He has even handled a case where the driver’s background check failed to pick-up multiple serious criminal charges involving the operation of a vehicle.

If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, please reach out to Zach today for a free evaluation of the claim.