As more and more individuals have taken advantage of new ridesharing programs across the country, the number of auto accidents have begun to tick down slowly. Avoiding operating a vehicle while intoxicated or tired and the ease of ordering a ride with a click has helped keep the number of dangerous drivers off the road.
However, jumping in the back of a rideshare vehicle – or choosing to drive for others as a rideshare gig employee – doesn’t take away the risk altogether. As with any other form of transportation, there are unexpected accidents and tragic mishaps that can leave you or a family member injured – potentially long-term.
Even as technology has helped automate the ridesharing system, the individuals driving the vehicles are still human – prone to frequent accidents and failed judgments that can cause injury.
Due to the possibility of accidents, rideshare companies have baked contingencies and waivers into participation in their programs to protect themselves from negligence. Suppose you or someone you love has been injured in a ridesharing accident. In that case, it is essential to ensure that you have a legal expert in a personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the messy nature of a ridesharing injury.
Think Insurance Is Enough? Think Again.
Whether riding or driving for ridesharing companies, many individuals believe that their insurance coverage will take care of their medical and financial needs should they find themselves in an accident. Unfortunately, many car insurance companies explicitly state that their coverage policies do not cover injuries sustained during ridesharing if the sharing is being done for profit in a commercial setting. This lack of coverage can leave drivers and passengers in the lurch for finding the money needed to cover any incurred medical expenses.
While companies such as Lyft and Uber have put in place monetary amounts to help injured drivers or passengers in accidents and injuries, you may discover that the coverage may not count for your particular situation. In the end, you may be forced to look to your personally-held insurance for coverage – and many have contingencies in place for those taking part in ridesharing.
As a driver or rider in a ridesharing situation, you must look at the fine print when you sign up to drive or ride. You may be surprised to find how many ridesharing companies have created protections for themselves that allow them to avoid paying out to cover medical bills, car repairs, and more. However, if you have the right team on your side, you can work with the companies and the courts to gain the financial settlement necessary to ensure that you are covered.
Learn Your Rights & Protections With Reeder & Nussbaum
If you or someone you love has been involved in a ridesharing accident, your time to act to ensure you receive the best financial outcome is limited. Depending on the circumstances and company involved in your accident and injury, you may have more obstacles in your way that can slow down your access to much-needing funds to cover medical expenses and loss of work.
Having a trusted partner in your corner during a difficult time can provide the lifeline you need to recover and move forward. At Reeder & Nussbaum, our team of skilled personal injury attorneys has years of experience helping clients involved in ridesharing accidents win settlements. As a leading personal injury law firm, we know what it takes to give our clients the hope and healing they deserve.