Potentially, more than one party can be legally responsible for the cost of injuries sustained during Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Middletown. Knowing if you should seek damages from the rideshare company or the driver can be confusing, and you may not know where to turn to get the financial assistance you need.
Fortunately, our skilled team of car accident attorneys at Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, & Bhaya can answer your questions and guide you through the legal process. We can help you pursue damages against the responsible party or parties.
Why Rideshare Drivers Are More Prone To Causing Crashes
Rideshare drivers face the same challenges as other drivers. However, the nature of their job presents additional factors that can make them more likely to cause crashes than the average driver.
Fatigue
While all motorists occasionally battle tiredness, rideshare drivers are particularly prone to fatigue. Many Uber and Lyft drivers have day jobs and only drive at night or on the weekends to supplement their income. Consequently, they work a full day at work and then spend the night driving passengers.
Reckless Driving
Uber and Lyft drivers only receive money for accepting and completing rides. The more rides they complete, the more money they make. Drivers can be tempted to speed, tailgate, and drive recklessly or aggressively to complete as many rides as possible.
Distracted Driving
As part of their job, Uber and Lyft drivers rely heavily on technology. While they should pull over to the side of the road before checking their phones, many drivers disregard safety and look at their screens while driving to review and accept a new job request. In addition, Uber and Lyft drivers frequently drive on unfamiliar roads and need to use a GPS for directions.
Our lawyers can determine why your collision in Middletown happened and search for proof that the Lyft or Uber rideshare driver was at fault.
When Uber or Lyft Is Responsible for Their Driver’s Negligence
Rideshare companies require their drivers to have sufficient personal automobile insurance to cover them in the event of a crash. However, an individual driver’s policy may not be enough to cover the full cost of your injuries. If so, you can seek compensation from Uber or Lyft. Rideshare companies have insurance to cover their drivers in certain situations, depending on what the driver was doing at the time the crash occurred.
If the Driver Was Not Actively Logged Into the App
If the driver was not actively using the app and did not have a passenger in the vehicle when a collision occurred, Uber and Lyft do not typically provide insurance coverage.
If the Driver Was Logged Into the App but Waiting for a Ride Request
If the driver was logged into the app and available to accept a ride request, the rideshare company provides limited insurance coverage for crashes.
If the Driver Had a Passenger in the Vehicle
Rideshare companies provide the most insurance coverage for a collision that occurred when a passenger was in the vehicle or the driver was en route to pick someone up.
Our dedicated lawyers can investigate the situation to determine what the driver was doing when your Middletown rideshare crash happened and help you learn whether you are eligible to collect insurance benefits from Uber or Lyft.
Talk to a Middletown Lawyer After a Car-Hailing Crash Involving Uber or Lyft
The rideshare industry is becoming increasingly popular, and usually, people arrive at their destinations safely. Unfortunately, Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Middletown occasionally occur.
If you have been injured in a rideshare crash, the lawyers at Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, & Bhaya have the experience and skills to help you. Call to schedule a meeting with us today.