Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Car Accident?

 Posted on August 30, 2019 in Personal Injury

For people who do not own a car or have limited access to public transportation, getting around can be challenging. Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft created a more reliable and transparent service available at our fingertips. Taxis are more prevalent in large cities, but with rideshare companies, a car will come right to you, and the distribution is growing rapidly. Rideshare companies allow drivers flexible income, but what happens when one of those drivers gets into an accident?

In most states, not having car liability insurance is against the law, but it is a requirement for all rideshare drivers. A personal insurance plan may not cover work as a driver, so Uber provides their drivers with additional coverage. This additional coverage only applies when a driver is actively working and the app is on - otherwise the driver’s insurance will cover them. If a driver’s coverage does not cover driving for rideshare, then Uber provides the following when a driver is waiting for a request:

• $25,000 in property damage
• $50,000 in bodily injury per person
• $100,000 in bodily injury

When a driver is en route or has a passenger in the car, Uber will offer up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.

Handling an accident with a rideshare driver is handled similarly to another private party. Illinois is a fault state, so whoever caused the accident will be liable. For example, if the rideshare driver was speeding or drove through a red light, breaking the law makes them liable. However, if the private party was drinking and driving, they may be held responsible instead.

What is different about getting into an accident with a rideshare driver who is working, is that customer passengers are involved. When building a personal injury case, their testimony could be important in proving the rideshare driver’s negligence. They may be able to recall the state of their Lyft or Uber driver and the circumstances that caused the crash. After a car accident, it is standard to get the contact info of the driver, and any witnesses, but in the case of an accident with a rideshare driver, the passengers are just as important.

Contact an Aurora Car Accident Attorney

No matter if involved with a rideshare driver or another private party, an experienced attorney can help. After calling your insurance company, give a Kane County car accident lawyer a call to discuss your options for compensation. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.uber.com/drive/insurance/