Ridesharing Accidents

Rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft and others have created a new landscape on the roads and highways throughout our state.  Complicating this is the insurance, licensing and regulatory framework for these companies.  Whether or not the driver is deemed an independent contractor or an employer of Uber or Lyft is an important consideration, as is the overall agency relationship with the rideshare company.

Further complicating the matter is the different insurance policies and policy limits that may apply to your injury claim.  For example, if your car or motorcycle was struck by a rideshare driver, your injury claim may be paid by a different insurance company than your property damage.  In addition, the official police report for the accident may list a completely different company.

This is because many times the Uber or Lyft driver will provide the police officer at the accident scene with his or her personal evidence of insurance on the rideshare vehicle that they were operating.  This may be that person’s personal automobile insurance policy that is used when they are not using the vehicle for commercial purposes as a common carrier.  At Brown,  Paindiris & Scott, we have experience in tracking down and if necessary initiating a lawsuit against the proper entities and determining all applicable insurance policies.

In addition, if you were the passenger in a rideshare vehicle that caused an accident, the driver and rideshare company owe you the highest duty of care as a common carrier.  Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at BPS lawyers immediately if you have been injured as a result of the negligence of a rideshare driver.