Because of the fast-growing rideshare industry, many of the accidents occurring on the road today include  drivers who work for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company. Just like any company or commercial driver, a rideshare driver has different insurance coverages and different levels of responsibility depending on the events of the individual accident. Sorting through those circumstances can sometimes be complicated.

Having an experienced rideshare accident attorney to help you determine the answers to a few important questions is the first step in the fight to receive the compensation you deserve.

Was the Rideshare Driver Actively Working During the Accident?

One of the most important pieces of information to establish is whether the rideshare driver was actively engaged as an employee of the rideshare company when the accident happened. This could make a huge difference in determining the amount of insurance coverage that will be available.

If the driver did not have the rideshare app open and was not either heading towards, waiting for, or picking up a rideshare passenger, then in all likelihood, the driver would not be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance policy. Basically, if the app isn’t open at the time of the accident, the driver isn’t technically “working.”

However, if the driver had a passenger in the car or the app is active and the driver is engaged in part of the rideshare process, then there would be some level of insurance coverage from the rideshare company.

Is the Rideshare Driver Responsible for the Accident?

The next most important point to establish is if the accident was the rideshare driver’s fault. If it is clear and unambiguous that the rideshare driver is at fault (e.g., crashing into an unmoving vehicle with no driver in it), then it is not difficult to establish fault.

However, accident fault is not as easy to establish when other parties and vehicles are involved. In situations like these, it is best to get eyewitness statements, contact the police to get an accident report, and take pictures of the scene and damage to the vehicles, to preserve as much of the accident scene as possible.

Were Others Partially Responsible for the Accident?

In Florida, one could be partially at fault for an accident involving a rideshare vehicle. It’s not always 100% for one party or the other. Because of that, the amount of fault that various parties may have will make a difference as to who would be responsible for any injury claims that arise from the accident. Some parties who could be involved and at fault in an accident are:

  • The rideshare driver
  • Other drivers involved in the accident
  • A bicyclist or pedestrian whose behavior or presence led to the accident
  • Any car manufacturers or parts dealers whose work may have led to malfunctions which caused the accident

Contact a Qualified Rideshare Accident Attorney

Because there are many possibilities for who could be at fault in any multiple-party accident, the best thing to do if you were involved in a rideshare accident is to contact a Florida personal injury attorney  with experience in these types of cases. Rideshare accident attorneys like RTRLAW can help determine who is at fault and what your next steps should be in the event of any injury. At RTRLAW, we have dealt with many cases involving rideshare drivers and can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Call RTRLAW today toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787) for a free, no-obligation case review or schedule a consultation with one of our rideshare accident attorneys today.