Rideshare apps such as Lyft and Uber have never been more popular. Unfortunately, with this increase in rideshare vehicles on the road, accidents involving them become more likely. Those injured in Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Cranberry Township could be entitled to financial compensation.
Our dedicated attorneys understand the unique elements of these cases, including insurance coverage and the limitations on suing rideshare companies directly. You can reach out today to learn how we could help.
Accidents in Cranberry Township involving rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft can occur for many of the same reasons as other crashes, but there are also some unique contributing factors to be aware of. Many Uber and Lyft drivers are part-time or unfamiliar with the neighborhoods they operate in, which can lead to accidents when they are paying closer attention to the GPS than the road ahead of them. They are also often under pressure to complete rides quickly to maximize earnings, which can lead to risky driving decisions. Common causes of rideshare accidents include:
These factors can create dangerous conditions for both passengers and other road users.
It is natural to be curious about your legal rights after a rideshare accident. Unfortunately, you are often limited in your ability to sue rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft when one of their drivers causes a crash in Cranberry Township. That is because they treat their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This distinction is important, since companies are typically only responsible for negligent acts by their employees acting within the scope of their employment.
You should never assume a lawsuit is not possible, however. For example, you are entitled to pursue legal action against the driver who hit you, and the rideshare company might even provide insurance coverage. If you can show that the company was directly responsible for the wreck due to issues such as negligent hiring, you might be able to sue them.
Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft provide tiered insurance coverage that changes depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the Cranberry Township accident. They include the following.
If a driver is operating their vehicle without their rideshare app open and no passengers are in the vehicle, they are driving for their own personal reasons. In this scenario, rideshare companies will not offer any coverage.
When the driver has the app on but has not yet accepted a ride request, limited liability coverage applies. Uber and Lyft typically offer coverage of $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This phase offers basic protection, but only if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply.
Once a ride is accepted and the driver is en route to pick up the passenger, Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage, along with comprehensive insurance. This phase lasts until the rider is delivered at their final destination.
While Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Cranberry Township can have devastating consequences, you have the right to pursue damages if someone else was at fault. Our skilled attorneys could help you navigate the complex insurance coverage that often applies in these cases. Instead of attempting to settle your case alone, contact us today to discuss your case and let us work to maximize your recovery.