Delaware County Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

While Uber and Lyft drivers have been commended for doing their part in reducing the number of alcohol-related car accidents, they are still human beings with the same driving skills as anyone else on the road. And unfortunately, they, too, are subject to their fair share of accidents. So, what do you do if you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident?

Scenarios Involving Uber and Lyft Accidents

Here are some examples:

A rideshare driver causes an accident involving the vehicle you are driving.
A rideshare driver causes an accident involving the vehicle in which you are a passenger.
You are struck by a rideshare vehicle while biking or walking near a road.
You are a rideshare driver and involved in an accident that is not your fault.

What Types of Insurance Do Rideshare Companies Offer?

Rideshare drivers are required to carry the same minimum insurance as anyone else on the road. In Pennsylvania, this means $15,000 for injury or death of one person, $30,000 for injury or death of more than one person, and $5,000 for damage to property of another person.

Those using their car to make money via Uber or Lyft should have an extended policy called ‘rideshare insurance’ added to their personal policy. There is another policy called ‘for-hire livery’ that can be used for business-related driving, but it is typically reserved for scheduled services, such as taxis, limousines, and charter buses.

You might be wondering why rideshare drivers require a separate policy when they drive for Uber or Lyft? That reason is because these drivers are not considered employees of these companies. Instead, they are treated as independent contractors; therefore, the insurance policies that are offered by these companies only apply in certain circumstances.

There are three different scenarios in which insurance may or may not cover an accident involving a driver:

If a driver is not logged into the company app and is not on duty, they are not covered by any type of insurance via Uber or Lyft. Instead, they are operating a motor vehicle just like any other driver on the road. Therefore, if they are involved in an accident, their personal insurance policy would have to cover any damage or injuries.
If a driver is logged into the company app and on duty but has not accepted a ride, this is a different scenario with a separate set of rules and insurance coverage. In this case, coverage is up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, up to $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and up to $25,000 per accident for property damage. However, collision and comprehensive coverage are not included in this case, so a driver would have to rely on their personal rideshare insurance to bridge the gap.
If a driver is on duty and has accepted a ride, is driving to pick up a passenger, or is in the process of transporting a passenger, the rideshare company will cover up to $1 million in liability, including injuries and property damage.

What Are Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents?

Being a rideshare driver requires no experience or training to operate a vehicle using the rideshare company’s name. Therefore, these drivers are no more skilled than any other motorist. This also means that these drivers are not immune to some of the common causes of accidents. In some cases, these drivers are more susceptible to accidents because of their job.

Common causes of rideshare accidents include:

Distracted Driving: With key details in the app, such as the addresses for drop-off and pick-up, special instructions, GPS coordinates, and contact information, rideshare drivers are continuously looking at their phones while driving, which could lead to an accident. In fact, according to the

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), while taking one’s eyes off the road for four to five seconds, a vehicle will travel more than 100 feet per second at 70 miles per hour. To put it in perspective, this is equivalent to half a football field. Another major factor is the passengers themselves. Without knowing who they are picking up, drivers may become distracted by overly chatty, possibly belligerent, inquisitive, and even overserved patrons. As a result, it is not uncommon for an individual to try to tend to their passengers to address their needs while attempting to keep their attention on the road.

Speeding: In an attempt to deliver a passenger on time to their destination, drivers may feel rushed or compelled to speed to get them to where they want to go. Since they are required to punch a clock and their times are recorded, their desire to make a good impression could circumvent their ability to make sound driving decisions. In other words, they might speed to make good time.
Inexperience: Unfamiliar roads and even young drivers can contribute to situations where a driver feels less than comfortable in their surroundings. As a result, these individuals could succumb to high-accident areas or fail to follow traffic patterns because they simply are not aware of them.
Fatigue: Rideshare drivers often have full-time jobs and work part-time as drivers, which requires them to put in long hours. Additionally, many drivers work nights to chauffeur passengers around to their favorite nightlife locations, which could continue into the early morning hours. As a result, drivers may skip precious sleep to pick up an extra fare or two.

What Types of Damages Can I Collect?

When it comes to types of damage, there are generally three categories in which one can collect:

Economic Damages: These are tangible out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills, car repair bills, and lost wages.

Non-Economic Damages: These are typically intangible items, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life.
Punitive Damages: As the name implies, these are not meant to compensate but instead punish an individual for acting maliciously or with ill intent to deter them from re-offending.

How Can I Help My Case?

If you are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, take some steps to ensure that you have quality information, including taking photos or videos of the scene, getting a screenshot of the rideshare app where your data is stored for your ride, getting witness and driver information, filing a police report, and documenting any injuries sustained.

Get Legal Advice from the Delaware County Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC if You Have Been Injured in a Rideshare Accident

When it comes to accidents involving rideshare drivers, there could be more than one person at fault. And there could be multiple parties who share the blame as well as the potential cost of the accident. For this reason, it is important to seek help from the Delaware County Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC. Fill out our online form or call 215-569-8488 for a free consultation. Our offices located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.