- June 17, 2021
- Posted by: Robert Katz
- Category: Ride share Accidents
Laws surrounding rideshare companies are still being hewn into stone. That’s because the nature of the contractor workforce leaves a lot of wiggle room legally. The fact that they’re employees, but also not employees, complicates matters. Here’s what you need to know about the laws surrounding rideshare companies in matters of personal injuries.
Determining Who is At-Fault is Still Important
Like with accidents from taxis, prosecutors and insurance companies still need to know who was at fault. This will determine which insurance company needs to pull out money to cover expenses. It also determines how much you can receive in damages.
We’ll run through a few different scenarios to help determine how the law works based on the situation.
The Driver of Rideshare Company is At Fault
If the driver of the rideshare company is at fault, then their insurance is used to cover damages. This can be good news for those involved with the accident. Uber, for example, makes their drivers use a $1 million insurance policy. If you’re injured while riding in the Uber, and the Uber driver was at fault, then you could potentially receive up to $1 million to cover your medical expenses.
The Driver of Rideshare Company is Not At Fault
If the driver wasn’t at fault, then you’re not going to receive quite as much money. Instead, the driver of the other vehicle is at fault. Their insurance company is responsible for paying medical expenses. The problem with this is that drivers typically choose the insurance policies with the smallest amount payable.
For example, most drivers tend to use policies that cover up to $15,000 or $30,000 in expenses. Depending on the severity of the accident, that may hardly cover the cost of your hospital visit.
The Driver of Rideshare Company is At Fault But Doesn’t Have Passengers
The amount you can receive from a rideshare company differs based on whether or not the driver is actively working. For example, if the driver doesn’t have the app on and isn’t working, then their insurance company is used to cover expenses. You may be faced with the standard $15,000 or $30,000 mentioned earlier.
If the driver was using the app and was waiting for their rider, then you may earn a larger amount. In the case of Uber, you may not quite receive $1 million, but you may get half or less.
Finally, if the driver had a passenger and struck you, then you may qualify for the $1 million worth of coverage.
Find a Lawyer Today
The laws over personal injury with rideshare companies can become complicated. To ensure you receive the justice that you deserve, you need to contact our rideshare lawyers in Delaware County, PA. We’ll help you get the money that you deserve.