Uber & Lyft Taxi Accidents
Many people choose to use taxis to get around, especially if they live in or are visiting a city. With the rise of ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, these are similar options and oftentimes cheaper than using a taxi service. While these are convenient and fairly affordable ways to get around, they have their drawbacks. One issue that you might face while using a taxi or ride sharing service is a motor vehicle accident. If you are the passenger in one of these vehicles when an accident occurs, you could face injuries that you want to receive compensation for. On this page, you can learn more about these car accidents and how to get compensation for them.
Common Car Accidents
If you are a passenger in a taxi or a ride sharing vehicle, an accident may occur. There are a few common scenarios in which a crash could happen and a person could get hurt.
First, consider if the driver of the vehicle you are in is doing something that they should not be doing. This is considered “negligence” under the law, and it could be grounds not only for an accident, but also for fault in the accident. So if the driver is speeding, using their cell phone, or operating the motor vehicle while under the influence, they could cause an accident and ultimately be responsible for it. In these situations, you would sue the driver on the grounds of their negligence.
Uber and Lyft offer their drivers additional insurance coverage, which could be how you are paid after an accident if the driver chose to purchase the insurance.
In other situations, another driver may cause the accident. If this happens, then the other driver will be legally responsible for the damages to the vehicle, as well as injuries to you, other passengers, and the driver. If you can prove that another driver caused the accident, you would sue them for negligence and recover compensation from their insurance company.
In the event that the accident is caused by a malfunction with the vehicle, a few different parties may be held responsible. If a company owns the taxi that malfunctioned, the company itself may be responsible for the accident. This is because it is the owner of the vehicle’s responsibility to make sure that it is properly maintained and safe to drive.
Usually, ride share drivers own their cars, so they would still be responsible if they did not keep up with the vehicle maintenance. However, if the vehicle malfunctions because of a manufacturer error, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the accident.
Getting Help After an Accident
As you can see, there are several factors at play when an accident occurs involving a taxi or a ride sharing vehicle. It can be difficult to navigate the particulars of the situation that you find yourself in. That is where we come in! During a free consultation, we can review your situation and help you determine the best way to proceed given your situation. Our office is happy to answer your questions and provide additional resources. We will be able to get you the help that you need during this difficult time.