Who Is Responsible for Uber or Lyft Car Accidents?

Residents and travelers in larger areas have come to rely upon rideshare services like Uber and Lyft for their convenience and ubiquity—but rideshare vehicles get into accidents, too, sometimes with dramatic consequences. If you need help covering your resulting medical bills or associated costs, you may not know what to do; the number of parties potentially involved complicates the legal aftermath.

You need a seasoned legal team by your side to guide you and protect your rights. Let our rideshare accident attorneys at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. help you.

Who Can Be Held Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

In some accidents, another driver causes the collision. In these cases, their personal liability insurance usually kicks in to cover whatever damages you suffered.

However, if your own Uber or Lyft driver causes your accident, the liability situation can feel a lot more complex. You may want to sue Uber or Lyft directly—but in most situations, the rideshare companies employ their drivers as independent contractors to shield themselves from lawsuits.

The companies do not just leave their drivers stranded though. If your driver causes an accident during an active ride, the company will generally provide up to $1 million in personal liability coverage. If the accident happens during an active pickup or fare search, Uber and Lyft still provide a measure of coverage.

In all of these instances, make sure you take photos of the accident scene, call 911 to request police assistance and medical aid, and report the incident on the applicable rideshare app to file a claim.

Depending on the specifics of your accident, you may also want to hold other parties at fault. For instance, if you suspect that a mechanical malfunction caused your rideshare driver to lose control and get into an accident, you may want to hold the car company liable for your injuries.

How Do You Pursue Compensation?

If you suffer injuries or property damage in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be able to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company’s policy, or a combination of both. If the insurance payout that you receive will not sufficiently cover your injuries or damage, or if the insurance adjusters refuse to compensate you fairly, you may need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to claim what you deserve.

Speak With the Monmouth County Uber and Lyft Car Accident Lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A.

If you run into difficulties with insurance companies or simply need the peace of mind that a lawyer can bring, go to the Monmouth County Uber and Lyft car accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. Call us at 732-906-1500 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Our offices are located in Brick, Freehold, and Edison, New Jersey, and we serve clients throughout the state, including Point Pleasant.