The Legal Complications of Injury from a Rideshare Accident
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft have taken over the transportation industry. Despite their convenience, the increased number of accidents involving rideshare vehicles has led to new legal challenges.
For accidents involving rideshare services, the question of who is liable becomes less straightforward than other motor vehicle accidents. If you were injured in an accident involving a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft, it could not be more critical to engage the help of an experienced Cleveland car accident lawyer to pursue compensation.
How Is Liability Determined in a Rideshare Accident?
There are a few different factors that could impact liability in a rideshare accident. The first consideration is whether or not the driver was actively using the ridesharing app when the accident occurred. Another factor that could impact liability is the number of parties contributing to the accident.
If you are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver who is not working or not logged into the app, they would not be within the scope of their employment. Under these circumstances, the rideshare driver would be personally liable for the accident, and you would have to seek compensation from their insurance company.
In cases where a rideshare driver’s app is on but waiting for a rider, the company could become liable for the accident. If they did not accept a ride request but were actively logged in when the accident occurred, the driver’s personal auto insurance should pay compensation for injuries and other damages.
If the accident occurred while a rideshare driver was transporting a rider, the company’s insurance policy would cover monetary damages.
The Dangers of Rideshare Drivers and Companies
As popular as rideshare services are, they also jeopardize the lives of other drivers on the road. These are some ways these drivers can put innocent people who share the road at risk:
- Rideshare drivers are often more distracted than other drivers. These drivers are expected to use the app while driving since it provides information regarding a passenger’s pick-up and drop-off point.
- Rideshare drivers are not always familiar with the roads they are driving on, which could increase the chances of an accident.
- To make ends meet, many rideshare drivers work incredibly long hours, resulting in driver fatigue.
- In some cases, rideshare drivers may drive over the speed limit to pick up as many riders as possible. Unfortunately, this often leads to serious accidents.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Injuries
After being involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you do not think your injuries are serious. Documenting your injuries may be an asset to your personal injury claim.
It is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer in Cleveland as soon as possible to aid you in pursuing compensation. If successful, you could recover the following damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Missed wages and lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Ohio is two years, so it is important to act quickly. If you do not pursue a claim within that time frame, your personal injury case and right to seek compensation will be forever barred.
Were You Injured in a Cleveland Rideshare Accident?
If you sustained serious injuries in a rideshare accident, George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law is here to help you navigate your personal injury case. Partners George Mineff, Jr. and George Mineff III are a father-son-duo dedicated to providing quality legal service and will meticulously evaluate the circumstances of your accident, providing you with a custom-tailored case assessment.
You may be coping with staggering expenses as a result of this terrible incident, but you shouldn’t have to pay for injuries and losses that weren’t your fault. Our experienced Cleveland rideshare accident attorneys are committed to achieving maximum compensation on your behalf so that you can focus on recovery.
Call (216) 621-3930 for a free consultation today.