While some people consider rideshare services to be similar to taxis, companies like Uber and Lyft are very different from taxi services when it comes to accidents and liability. Although this may change in the future, ridesharing companies currently do not have to follow the same municipality regulations that taxi services must follow. Because the ridesharing company itself has the ability to set its own regulations, this may result in a large discrepancy in liability policies following an accident.
The Complicated Way Uber Determines Liability
According to Uber’s website, the company has full insurance coverage in the case of an accident. This insurance policy is set at $1 million. However, this policy only seems to apply to passengers who were riding in the Uber driver’s vehicle at the time of the crash. Passengers in other vehicles who were injured may not be able to collect the same compensation through an injury claim.
For passengers riding in an Uber vehicle, Uber’s insurance policy is considered valid from the moment a driver accepts a request to the moment the ride is completed. The insurance policy includes underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage, and it may even apply when the Uber driver has their own personal auto insurance.
Even though this coverage may be adequate for passengers, it’s important to note that there are still many grey areas. The company could potentially change its policies at any time and it is not under the same legal obligations as taxi services. It might not be easy to determine who is liable after an accident.
Resolving the Liability Issue
Commercial insurance policies are designed for taxi services – Â not for rideshare services. Even if the rideshare driver has personal auto insurance, it’s possible that this coverage is not enough to cover the total cost of all injuries and damages. A typical personal auto policy does not cover commercial rides.
Anyone injured while using a rideshare service like Uber should collect the same information that would apply after an accident with another driver. Information includes:
- Identity of the driver
- Rideshare service
- Insurance policy
- Pictures of injuries and/or damages
If you’ve been injured in an accident while riding with an Uber driver, you may want to turn to an experienced – personal injury lawyer trusts for counsel. You might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. For more information about filing a personal injury claim for an Uber accident, contact our law firm today.
