Rideshares are a blessing. They help the average American get from point A to point B with minimal hassles. They’re affordable, and best of all, they’re super convenient. But just like everything else, rideshares come with their fair share of risks.
Rideshare accidents aren’t uncommon. Although drunk driving arrest rates dropped from 62% to 15%, ridesharing companies have contributed to a 3% increase in all car accident deaths.
If you find yourself in a rideshare accident, seeking medical attention is the first thing you should do. After that, you need to contact a lawyer, as they’re instrumental in getting a reasonable settlement.
Each rideshare accident is unique. Here are some factors that your lawyer will consider when handling your rideshare accident claim.
- Was the driver logged on to the app?
- Did the driver cause the crash?
- Is the driver qualified?
- How serious are your injuries?
We’ll discuss each of these factors below.
Was the driver logged on to the app?
Popular ridesharing companies have applications that people can use to find drivers. Just like people, drivers have similar applications on their smartphones. Drivers have to be logged on to the app when they are in a ride.
The driver being logged into the app is important. This is because the ridesharing company cannot be sued for damages if the driver is not logged on to the app. The victim will have to seek compensation using the driver’s personal insurance.
Did the driver cause the crash?
Some car accidents can be tricky. What appears to be a pretty straightforward case may take a turn for the worse (or better!) as new information arises. One such piece of information is the involvement of third parties.
Assume that the rideshare vehicle you were traveling in was hit by a truck. In this case, instead of the rideshare driver, the liable party would be the driver of the truck or their employer. The second option is applicable only if the accident happened when the truck driver was performing a job-related duty.
The accident might have occurred when the rideshare driver was trying to avoid hitting someone. Or maybe the roads were slippery. Or maybe the dust from a nearby construction site might have obstructed their view.
All these scenarios will be taken into consideration. This helps in zeroing in on the party or parties to sue for compensation.
Is the driver qualified?
Getting a job as a rideshare driver is among the easiest jobs on the planet, and the hiring process reflects that. Take Uber’s hiring process, for example. A driver only needs a valid driving license to become an Uber driver. With such minimal requirements, a few bad apples are to be expected.
Inexperienced drivers form one part of these bad apples. Drivers who are glued to the screen of the GPS or engage in unsafe driving practices are a disaster waiting to happen.
When such inexperienced drivers end up causing accidents, the rideshare company will have to bear the blame. It’s up to the rideshare company to conduct extensive background checks and choose the right people for the job. The rideshare company may be sued for hiring an inexperienced driver.
How serious are your injuries?
Injuries are the focal point of any motor vehicle accident claim, as they form a considerable chunk of the compensation. If the injuries are minor, the compensation will be low. However, if you sustain severe injuries (like a fracture or traumatic brain injury), then compensation will be on the higher side.
This is one of the reasons why a rideshare accident lawyer will go through your medical records when calculating compensation.
Conclusion
Accidents pose a problem to this super convenient service. Some companies offer high amounts for accident victims. But the victim needs to meet certain criteria when seeking compensation from the ridesharing company.
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. They know what to do and will make sure you get fair compensation for your losses.
