Ridesharing has become the standard for public transportation, with commuters frequently choosing the luxury and privacy of a single car to public transit like buses or subways. Although convenient, increasing vehicles on the road increases the likelihood of accidents. Injuries from these accidents can be severe and life-threatening for passengers, so taking the appropriate legal action to address any rideshare accidents is critical for recovery.

What Makes Rideshare Accidents Different From Taxi Accidents?

Each rideshare driver is an independent contractor, so for them to be listed on a driving platform, they must fulfill specific criteria. Drivers must possess a qualifying 4-door vehicle with evidence of insurance, pass a background check, and pass a driving record check to work as an Uber or Lyft driver. Some require a minimum age to drive, such as Lyft, which only allows drivers to work for them if they are at least 21 years old. Additionally, evaluated based on their performance, rideshare drivers can suffer consequences from poor passenger feedback. Drivers strive to receive an excellent rating of 5 stars to keep using the site, ensuring their reliability for other riders. If involved in an accident, rideshare drivers and passengers are required to make a police report. They must also report to the insurance agencies of both drivers. After receiving necessary medical care, passengers should file a police report, take pictures of the scene, and save any available driver information. They will also need to contact the rideshare platform following any rideshare accident.

Common Causes For Rideshare Accidents

Although there are no specific laws tied to accidents involving rideshare drivers, the legalities and causes of these accidents are the same as regular auto accidents. Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to auto accidents, so whichever driver is deemed responsible for the crash will automatically be at fault. Some common causes of auto accidents include:
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Reckless driving, like speeding or ignoring traffic signals
  • Avoiding weather advisories
Rideshare drivers are held to the same standards as any other driver, especially when carrying passengers. Any passenger reserves the right to report their driver and seek financial compensation for any damages caused if the driver did not follow crucial safety standards and rules of the road. Although directly related to the accidents involved, Rideshare apps can neglect to address these issues and provide crucial support for injured passengers.

Who Is At Fault For Rideshare Accidents?

Accident victims must file a claim for compensation with whoever caused the accident’s insurance, determined by police at the crash scene. After submitting a claim with that person’s insurance, an insurance adjuster will review the facts of the case and compile their final report. For rideshare drivers, depending on whether they were logged in and considered active drivers is considered during these accidents, separating them from being on the clock or in their own free time. For example, if the driver is not logged into the app and is involved in a car crash, they would go through the insurance provider of the person at fault to seek compensation. If logged in and carrying customers, the driver that caused the accident is still at fault, but the rideshare app employing the driver would need to be involved in the claims process, along with the passengers.

Seeking Help With Rideshare Accident Compensation

Getting into any car accident is stressful, but as a passenger in a rideshare driver’s car, these situations can become increasingly complicated. Seeking the help of a personal injury attorney is imperative for properly navigating these accidents. At Lamar Law Office, our team of attorneys can help evaluate any rideshare accident case and help reach a well-deserved settlement. For more information, including a full list of our practice areas, visit our website and contact us today.