Understand your rights if you’re involved in a rideshare accident

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Ride-sharing apps have transformed the way people get around today. Countless individuals turn to these services rather than relying on family or friends to take them places. They don’t need to call a taxi or use public transportation when all they need to do is book a ride and someone will take them where they want to go. 

In fact, some people today choose to not get a driver’s license or invest in a car. They have transportation when they need it and don’t have to worry about the responsibilities that come with driving. 

However, every person must understand they can still get in an accident, even when they leave the driving to someone else. What happens when a person sustains an injury from a rideshare accident? What legal rights does the victim have? 

The Rights of Ride-Share Users

Individuals want to know who they can hold responsible if they are injured in an accident involving a ride-share vehicle. The victim has the same rights they would have if they were involved in an accident in their personal vehicle. The individual responsible for the accident should be held accountable for their actions. 

The victim of the accident may seek compensation from the party at fault for the accident or their insurance company. In addition, other parties may be sued, such as the mechanic responsible for maintaining the vehicle. For this reason, any victim of an automobile accident should speak with an attorney to learn who should be named in the lawsuit. 

Insurance Coverage Under Various Scenarios

Every ride-share driver must maintain personal insurance. However, ride-share companies must also have insurance to protect drivers and passengers. Which insurance company should a victim pursue compensation from? 

When a driver is offline and not accepting passengers, they aren’t logged into the ride-share system. If they are in an accident when they aren’t logged in, the driver’s personal insurance company would be accountable if the driver is in an accident. Every passenger should ensure the driver is in active status when they are using this service. 

Once the driver is logged into the ride-share application, they are available for work. The ride-share provider’s insurance goes into effect at this time. Ride-share companies maintain a higher level of liability insurance, so passengers are better protected. The same holds whether the driver is going to pick up a customer or has already picked them up and is in the process of transporting them. 

The Type of Accident

People often assume only those victims in the ride-share vehicle may seek compensation for their injuries. However, when a person is involved in an accident with a ride-share vehicle and the ride-share vehicle is at fault, the injured party may also seek compensation, just as they would in an accident with any other vehicle. The key difference is the injured party might be able to sue the ride-share company along with the driver of the vehicle. 

When a person is involved in a ride-share accident, they need to seek medical attention promptly. Once all medical concerns have been addressed, it’s best to speak to an attorney. The lawyer helps protect the interests of the passenger or victim to ensure they get fair compensation for any injuries sustained. They determine who is at fault and should be sued while handling all aspects of the case.

Contact an attorney today to learn your rights following a ride-share accident. They will be happy to help.