Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Uber and Lyft have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, as more and more people turn to ridesharing services for their transportation needs. However, this increase in use has also led to an increase in accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. If you have been injured in such an accident, you may be wondering what your legal options are. You can learn more about this and other personal injury scenarios here.
The Ever-Growing Rideshare Industry and You
It could be argued that ridesharing as an industry originated with civic taxi services in the earliest days of the automobile boom. New York’s yellow cabs and London’s black cabs have been iconic symbols of their respective metropolises since the mid 20th century. While taxis share many of the same utilities as ridesharing, as well as many of the same risks, they struggle to scale their business model outside of dense population centers. Ridesharing, where drivers work for themselves and have rides assigned through an app, is a far more recent invention, and its decentralized character has allowed it to expand far beyond the reach of traditional taxi services. Companies like Uber and Lyft offer their services all over America. They’ve also expanded into the growing field of bike and scooter sharing, another growing sector of our transit infrastructure. These services allow users to pay small fees for use of an electric bike or scooter, and have grown exponentially in recent years.
Legal Complications
Accidents involving ridesharing services can be legally complex for a number of reasons. If the injured party is the rideshare driver themselves, they’re ineligible for workers compensation because they’re not an employee. The driver will also find their insurance company is not receptive to any claim they file, regardless of who as at fault. The kind of consumer insurance policy you’re required to buy when purchasing a car will not cover any accident that occurs while operating the vehicle as a rideshare. Worse yet; your consumer insurance policy will also not cover any injuries sustained by passengers.
This may seem unfair but it’s important to understand what exactly you’re purchasing when you buy insurance. When an insurance company agrees to cover damage to your car, it’s for your own personal use. Operating the vehicle in a for-profit capacity falls outside of this “personal use.”
How a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help
A rideshare accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options if you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle. Malloy Law Offices are the DMV rideshare accident specialists. Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue the full amount of damages that you are entitled to under the law. Don’t wait to get the legal help you need after an Uber or Lyft accident. Contact a rideshare accident lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.