Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have significantly changed the trend in transportation. They have become the ride of choice for the commuting public instead of regular taxi hire because they are far more convenient and accessible. However, there are ridesharing risks that you must be wary about.
What happens if your ridesharing service figures into a car accident? This is one of the things you must think of if you are a fan of Uber or Lyft. Understand your rights and know what you can do in case your ride figures in an accident.
Ridesharing vs Yellow Cabs
In recent years, we have seen the decline of passengers who stick out their thumb to get a ride from a yellow taxi. Instead, people are seen tinkering with their phones, exploring a mobile app that lets them find a ride with just a few clicks. Ridesharing has taken the riding public by storm with its sufficient advantage in terms of convenience. At times, this high-tech transport service even proves to be a lot cheaper. Why wouldn’t it click when it has all the features that the commuting mass requires to let them through the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives?
But as a fan of a rideshare service, you must also keep yourself aware of the possible risks that come with choosing this type of ride. You have to keep yourself safe, of course.
What to Do in Case of an Accident
One of the biggest concerns is if ever your rideshare service figures in a car accident while you are on board. Believe it or not, it is far more complicated than it seems, and it is important that you seek guidance from a Los Angeles Uber accident lawyer to get you through the tight spots.
The liability in a car accident, whether you are in a rideshare vehicle or you collided with one, depends on who is found to be at fault. In any case, rideshare drivers are covered with an auto insurance policy that may provide sufficient coverage if you seek to obtain compensation for your damages and medical expenses.
However, there is an insurance policy clause that has business-use exclusion. That means, if the vehicle has a paying passenger on board, the liability and collision insurance may not be availed. Rideshare companies usually have about $1 million in liability coverage, but such coverage may be void under the following circumstances:
-
The driver is not logged into the ridesharing app. In such cases, the driver’s personal auto insurance may be applied.
-
The driver is logged into the ridesharing app but has no existing job order or has not accepted a ride request. In such cases, the ridesharing company may provide a total of $100,000 in total liability.
-
The driver is logged into the ridesharing app, has accepted a ride request, but is on his way to the pickup location when he figured in a car accident. In such cases, the liability coverage may go up to $1 million.
Then again, the laws that govern ridesharing services constantly change. And it would be wise to consult a Los Angeles Uber accident lawyer to be clear of your rights as well as your liabilities.