What are My Rights as a Passenger if I am Injured in an Uber Accident?

Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, present new challenges and problems, despite how innovative such services might seem. Regardless of you are in Austin or Abilene, there are questions that arise when using the likes of Uber or Lyft. One such question is, what are my rights as a passenger if I am injured in an Uber accident? It is always advisable to explore such a question further with a qualified attorney, especially one of Carabin Shaw’s Austin Uber and Lyft accident attorney, there is some basic information that can help in navigating such a question.

Though companies like Uber and Lyft are distinct companies that have different policies, they share in that both provide liability coverage insurance for their drivers and passengers. This means that if you are involved in an accident as a passenger while taking an Uber in Austin, the driver should have insurance coverage that should cover your damages.

This extends to events where both your driver or another driver may be at fault for an accident. That said, dealing with insurance can be a messy process. Getting the expert legal help that you or your loved one needs is vital when dealing with insurers. One of Carabin Shaw’s Austin Uber liability lawyers can provide such help and much more.

As your attorney will likely note, Uber or Lyft both require that the driver be logged into their company application while working. Without that, the company insurance may not cover your injuries. This means that you or your loved one will be dependent on the driver having insurance that will cover you; however, many personal insurance companies are increasingly opting out of covering ridesharing accidents. Insurance coverage is not as cut-and-dry as one could hope in rideshare accidents, leaving many asking, what are my rights as a passenger if I am injured in an Uber accident?

If you or a loved one are injured as a passenger in an Uber accident, the rights you can expect are no different from what is expected from non-ridesharing accidents. You have a right to sue for damages should insurance fail to provide adequate coverage. Likewise, you have the right to hold the driver accountable and hire the assistance of an attorney.

Uber and Lyft drivers are technically “third-party providers,” which is to say that they are independent contractors and not actual Uber or Lyft employees. The question of whom a passenger has a right to hold responsible is a murky one when it comes to ridesharing companies, which means that the specifics of the accident should inform you and your Austin based lawyer of how best to proceed.

The most important thing to remember is that you have a right to seek damages should the driver’s company or personal insurance fail to cover your injury. There is a great deal of nuance and depth that needs discussed in exploring this right, so it is always advisable to reach out to a qualified lawyer to discuss this matter further.

Ridesharing services are a new and exciting opportunity that technological development have brought to cities like Austin, but with them comes a new host of problems and concerns that warrant the attention of legal minds and potential victims alike. If you or a loved one have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to Carabin Shaw.

If you or a loved one has suffered as a pedestrian who was struck by an Uber, Lyft or other rideshare company, give our local Austin office a call at 512-832-1101, or call our toll-free number at 800-862-1260. We’ll give you a free consultation with one of our specialized rideshare accident attorneys and start you down the road to compensation and recovery.