Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber, Sidecar, and Lyft allow riders to summon a taxi (usually an unlicensed private citizen’s personal vehicle) with a few simple steps on their smart phones. Because these services are so popular, more and more accidents happen that involve ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft. The driver and the company are duty-bound to protect their passengers’ safety, and they are required to have sufficient insurance coverage in case their vehicle is involved in an accident. Whether you were a passenger in the vehicle driven for Uber or a similar company during an accident, or a driver or passenger in a vehicle that collided with an Uber, Lyft, etc., it is very important to consult an attorney about your legal rights and the compensation that may be available to you. Contact the Law Offices of “needaninjuryattorneyrhodeisland.com” for a free consultation with one of our expert attorneys.
The Difference Between Uber and Taxi Services When it Comes to Insurance
Drivers for Uber and similar ride-hailing services are not employees of the companies they drive for. Considered independent contractors, these drivers must provide their own insurance and claims can be denied by insurance companies because the vehicle was being operated commercially, not personal use. If there is no commercial policy covering loss, it is questionable whether the driver for the ride-sharing service, a passenger, or the other vehicle will be covered because of the vehicles mixed-use. An experienced Rhode Island Uber accident lawyer can help you figure out if you can receive compensation from the insurance company.
Uber asserts that driver or passenger of the other car involved in the accident is covered by Uber’s commercial insurance policy. The issues involved with accidents involving ride-sharing companies can be complex, which is why it is so important to seek legal advice.
Ride-sharing services hold insurance policies that change with the phases of the ride. Uber, for example, has a commercial policy with liability coverage up to one million dollars per accident once a driver accepts a fare from the app and this coverage continues until the passenger is dropped off at their destination. Most drivers’ personal insurance provide coverage between trips. Drivers for Uber are also covered with an additional bodily harm policy. Uber also holds a one-million dollar policy for uninsured or underinsured motorists.
With the right legal assistance, there are plenty of avenues to get the compensation needed if you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident involving a ride-hailing vehicle. Hardships like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages can be covered if you get the compensation you deserve. Let one of our dedicated attorneys fight for the maximum compensation available to you. You do not want to deal with the complex legal issues that arise from accidents involving a ride-sharing vehicle. The knowledgeable attorneys at the Law Offices of “needaninjuryattorneyrhodeisland.com” can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.