Things have changed a lot in the past few years. This includes the way people move around. Instead of owning cars and spending on fuel and maintenance, more and more people are hopping on the ridesharing bandwagon.
Ridesharing services are convenient and affordable. They get you from point A to point B in no time. Plus, it offers car owners a way to earn some cash on the side.
But rideshare drivers aren’t immune to accidents. There are reports that Uber and Lyft average about 100 accident fatalities every year. Victims who’ve survived an accident must file a rideshare accident claim to recover the losses they’ve sustained. Hiring a rideshare accident attorney is a good way to start.
The victim will have a hard time managing a rideshare accident case without a lawyer. This is because of the tons of complexities the average rideshare accident involves.
Rideshare Accidents – Complications
Here are four of the most common complications that arise in a rideshare accident case.
- The presence of multiple liable parties
- Insurance issues
- App usage complexities
- Issues with laws
Each complexity is discussed below.
The Presence of Multiple Liable Parties
The average car accident involves just a handful of liable parties. They are:
- The driver of another vehicle
- A third-party
- Pedestrians or cyclists
This is not the case with a rideshare accident. The number of potential liable parties in a rideshare accident includes:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare company
- A third party (other motorists)
- One or more passengers in the vehicle
- Pedestrians or cyclists
Determining liability in a rideshare accident is a troublesome task. One has to consider multiple factors before deciding who is liable for the accident. This aspect alone sometimes deters rideshare accident victims from pursuing a claim.
Insurance Issues
This is directly related to the previous point. Most rideshare drivers have their own insurance. On top of that, the insurance company itself offers insurance.
But here’s the catch: The insurance from which the victim can recover damages will be based on liability. This means that if the driver was at fault, the rideshare company will compensate the victim. However, if another driver was responsible for the accident, then the victim will have to approach that driver to recover the damages.
App Usage Complexities
Rideshare drivers rely on the app to communicate with potential clients. The following are some of the possible scenarios in a rideshare accident with regards to the app:
- App is on, but the driver is waiting for a ride request
- App is on, and the driver is heading to pick up the passenger
- App is on, the passenger is in the vehicle, and the driver is heading to the destination
- Driver is not logged into the app
- Driver doesn’t have access to the app
The rideshare company will compensate the victim in the first three cases. However, in the last two scenarios, the rideshare company cannot be held responsible. Instead, the rideshare driver will have to bear the expenses.
Issues with Laws
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the laws regarding rideshare accidents. Laws and regulations seem to be changing a lot. This makes it insanely difficult to act accordingly.
Then there’s the case of jurisdictions. Some states have different laws regarding rideshare accidents. The ever-changing statutes might complicate an already complex rideshare accident case.
Conclusion
As convenient as they are, rideshare services have their risks as well. The increasing number of inexperienced drivers who’re becoming rideshare drivers as side gigs contributes to these accidents.
Then, there are drivers who’re skipping breaks to take multiple trips. These drivers are prone to fatigue and may end up in accidents sooner or later.
Whatever the cause of the accident may be, the victim must stand up and fight for themselves. They should hire an experienced rideshare accident lawyer who will fight for their rights and ensure they get fair compensation for their losses.
Also Read: Minneapolis Car Accident Lawyers Advocating for Your Rights
