Like most other places in the country, people are turning more frequently to rideshare vehicles to get around Beaumont, TX. Uber and Lyft provide convenience at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately, the increasing number of rideshare vehicles in the city has led to an alarming, corresponding increase in Uber/Lyft/Rideshare accidents in Beaumont. Unlike accidents between traditional passenger cars, crashes involving rideshare vehicles can be more complicated, which is why working with a seasoned car accident attorney is critical.
Our determined attorneys from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could help you navigate the legal process in search of fair compensation for you and your family.
Is a Rideshare Company Responsible for a Driver’s Negligence?
The most common question after an accident involving a rideshare vehicle is whether or not the rideshare company is responsible for the cost of someone’s injuries if the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for causing the accident. Rideshare companies do not have a traditional employer/employee relationship with their drivers. Drivers are independent contractors, so Uber and Lyft are not vicariously responsible for their driver’s negligent actions in the same way that a trucking company would be liable for a truck driver’s accident caused by their distracted driving.
However, the rideshare company could be responsible if the company’s actions or policies directly contributed to the accident. For instance, if Uber or Lyft failed to check a driver’s criminal background and the driver assaulted a passenger, Uber could be at fault for the driver’s injuries. Similarly, Lyft could be responsible if they failed to properly screen their drivers and negligently hired a driver with a history of serious accidents who had lost their driver’s license.
Our Beaumont attorneys could examine the details of the rideshare wreck to see if Uber or Lyft could bear responsibility due to negligent operating or hiring practice.
Whose Insurance is Available After an Uber Crash?
Getting compensation after a rideshare wreck depends on the circumstances of the driver’s activities at the time of the crash.
Lyft Driver was Not Logged Into the Rideshare App
If the rideshare driver was off the clock and not logged into the app when the crash occurred, you could not turn to the rideshare company’s insurance company for help, even if the driver was in a car that had a prominent Uber or Lyft sticker on it. You could look only towards the driver’s personal insurance policy for compensation. Uber and Lyft require all their drivers to carry mandatory minimum levels of personal insurance.
Lyft Driver was Logged into the Rideshare App, but Waiting for a Ride Request
If the driver was logged into the Uber app and waiting to accept a ride request, the rideshare company would provide limited coverage for the accident under their company’s insurance plan.
Lyft Driver had Accepted a Ride Request or Had a Passenger in the Car
As soon as the Uber driver accepts a ride request, Uber’s insurance policy provides full coverage for an accident, even if the passenger is not yet in the vehicle.
Our skilled legal team could examine the circumstances of the crash and look at the driver’s history in the app to determine whether the rideshare company’s insurance provider is responsible.
Speak with a Beaumont Lawyer After a Lyft/Uber/Rideshare Crash
In addition to causing painful physical and emotional wounds, Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Beaumont can create confusion. Fortunately, our experienced personal injury team at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could help you determine the best path forward to get you the compensation you need. Speak with our attorneys today.
