Injured In Or By A Rideshare Vehicle: Do I Have A Personal Injury Case?
October 29, 2019
Rideshare Accidents in Pennsylvania
Rideshare companies have revolutionized the way we get around today, and the number of drivers and riders that use these services are rising each and every year. But the fact of life is that cars get into accidents, and rideshare vehicles are not immune. This creates a whole set of legal questions for the aftermath. Who is technically liable? Which insurance company is responsible for the crash? Can a rideshare driver sue their passenger or the company they work for? Here is a look at the new issues this new transportation revolution is creating.
Injured Passengers: Who Is Liable?
Drivers who are contracted to use a rideshare app usually must have car insurance as per company policy. Both Uber and Lyft, for example, require this. Both companies offer full liability insurance for their drivers, with the specific intention of helping passengers who were involved in rideshare accidents, but these policies only kick in when their app is activated and the driver is driving a passenger or is on their way to pick one up. If you are the rideshare passenger when the accident happens, you are covered by this policy.
What If I Am Injured In Another Vehicle?
If you are in another car, there might be some confusion as to which insurance company will cover the costs. Do you go after the rideshare company, or contact the driver’s insurance company? The safest bet is to contact both, and obtain the services of a personal injury attorney to help sort through all the liability issues. Each insurance company may want to shift full responsibility onto the other, and the victim is ultimately the one who suffers. Having an educated advocate on your side is the best way to assert your rights.
What If I’m A Rideshare Driver?
If you are a contractor using a rideshare app and get into an accident, what do you do? If you were using the app at the time (transporting a passenger or on the way to pick one up), you might have the chance of the rideshare company’s liability policy kicking in to help you out. But this is only the case if you’ve exceeded your own damage limit with your own policy. If the other driver is at fault for the accident, you must also file a claim with their insurance company before the rideshare company’s policy would kick in.
What Should I Do If Injured In a Rideshare Accident?
After receiving any needed emergency medical attention, it is a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney to help you out with any possible claims. There are a lot of other factors at play other than the many that already exist in a regular car crash, like fault and all the evidence needed to prove it. What was the driver’s status during the car crash? Which insurance companies will I need to talk to? It can get overwhelming. Find an attorney you trust with experience handling car accident cases (and insurance companies) to help you get the full compensation you deserve.
Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case Today!
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Purchase, George, and Murphey P.C. represent clients throughout Pennsylvania, including Erie, Meadville, and Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Call 814.833.7100 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2525 W 26th St., Erie, PA 16506, as well as offices at The Masonic Building 310 Chestnut St, Suite 111 Meadville, PA 16335 and at 68 East Main Street, North East, PA 16428.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.